What Digital Literacy Looks Like in the Classroom

http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2014/10/29/ctq_crowley_digitalliteracy.html?r=826473302

It is often assumed that because today's students have grown up with technology that they are "digitally literate."  Digital literacy, as defined by the New York Department of Education, is, “having the knowledge and ability to use a range of technology tools for varied purposes.” The author's point is that students are often no more digitally literate than their parents when it comes to being able to use a range of technology for a variety of purposes. There are basic, essential digital skills that every student should be taught. Many districts are implementing a digital literacy curriculum as part of their BYOD or 1:1 initiatives.

Teachers who truly embed the technology into their classroom are also helping students understand how to use the technology in an educationally appropriate way. There are multiple resources available to help, including a federal government website to help teachers collaborate on best practices in technology implementation, Google a Day, and Google's Search Education site with information on teaching students how to search more effectively.

Because technology can also be used for harm, educators tend to see it as a monster which must be locked down rather than emphasizing the good that come from technology. Instead of fearing technology, it's the educator's responsibility to teach students how to use it appropriately by modeling appropriate digital citizenship.

In addition to lack of ed tech professional development and accountability for teachers, digital literacy is another component of embedding technology that I think is often overlooked. Unless teaching digital literacy is included in the ed tech professional development, I can see it being one more thing to turn teachers away from using technology in their classrooms.