Digital Literacy – How literate are you?
What do you think of when you hear the phrase digital literacy? Knowing how to use Google to make a restaurant reservation? Being able to knock out a PowerPoint presentation that won’t put your audience to sleep?
Sure that’s all part of it. It’s also knowing when the right source of information may be a print dictionary. While there may not be a clear agreed upon definition, the concept addresses the ability to “recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.” 1
The UDM Library has a book from 1984 on Computer Literacy; but digital literacy is a broader concept than the use of computers. Privacy issues are also part of being digitally literate. Do you really know what’s online there about you, openly available to anyone?
Using critical thinking skills to evaluate resources is an important aspect. Do you know why your instructors don’t want you using Wikipedia? Check out this eBook How Wikipedia Works Hint: anyone can edit it, so it may not an authoritative reference. But it can still be useful for background info and for links to other, possibly more credible sources.
Cornell University has a Digital Literacy Resource that includes info on finding and evaluating sources, Internet privacy and academic integrity.
Digital Literacy.gov is an initiative of the Obama administration created by ten federal government agencies. It’s intended to provide info to those providing digital literacy training in schools or in the community, but there’s lots for users. Here’s a list of links to Basic Computer Information, including MS Word basics and Google Docs. Confused about all the Social Media platforms? Learn about Twitter and Skype in the privacy of your own device.
Here’s a quiz from the Pew Research Center: Internet,Science, Tech called WebIQ
Learning Express Library is a test prep site from the Michigan Electronic Library. After setting up a user id & password, check out the Computer Center where you’ll find quizzes on PC hardware, the Internet and popular software programs.
Ask a librarian for additional information — you’ll find we’re quite [digitally] literate.
