Written by
Ava Akbarian
Learning Digital Literacy in Australian schools allows students to find, use and create information. Students will also learn how to use digital technology safely and productively.
According to The Department of Education, Victoria Digital Literacy in Australian Schools refers to a student’s ability to “use digital tools and systems” to:
Identify, access, manage, integrate, evaluate, analyse and synthesize digital resources Construct new knowledge Create media expressions Communicate with others in the context of specific life situations in order to “enable constructive social action”. Introduction to literacy in Digital Technologies, https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/teachingresources/discipline/english/literacy/Pages/introduction-to-literacy-in-digital-technologies
Identify, access, manage, integrate, evaluate, analyse and synthesize digital resources
Construct new knowledge
Create media expressions
Communicate with others in the context of specific life situations
in order to “enable constructive social action”.
Introduction to literacy in Digital Technologies, https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/teachingresources/discipline/english/literacy/Pages/introduction-to-literacy-in-digital-technologies
Doug Belshaw’s Digital Literacy model outlines the main elements of Digital Literacy teach students:
‘Cultural’ – How to behave online
‘Constructive’- How to use digital systems
‘Cognitive’ – How to do things online
‘Communicative’ – How to communicate with different people online
‘Confident’ – How to be confident and part of the online community
‘Critical’ – How to evaluate situations online
‘Civic’ – How to participate online
In NSW, the syllabus outlines 5 key ideas for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) capability:
1. Investigating with ICT2. Communicating with ICT3. Creating with ICT4. Managing and operating with ICT5. Creating with ICT
This may look like:
Creating print, visual and digital texts experimenting with language, design, layout and graphics in English or electives
Using research data from digital sources to complete assessments
Assessing the reliability of digital resources for projects
Using functions on software like word or other programs to create texts
Learning to make informed decisions online in PDHPE
In Victoria, students utilise the ‘Digital Technologies’ curriculum to find creative digital solutions when applying information systems for problem-solving.
In Australian classrooms this may look like:
This was applied at Snowy Mountains Grammar School where students took part in The Kids Cancer Project’s Write A Book In A Day initiative, putting their Digital Literacy skills to task.
“Through digital collaboration they co-authored stories using shared documents and allocated graphic designers to design their ebook inclusive of digital illustrations drawn by the art directors of the team. Credit: Snowy Mountains Grammar School, NSW The rise of digital creatives in the workplace requires us to always look for ways to build our students’ skills in this area.” Scott Frize, Head of Technologies
“Through digital collaboration they co-authored stories using shared documents and allocated graphic designers to design their ebook inclusive of digital illustrations drawn by the art directors of the team.
The rise of digital creatives in the workplace requires us to always look for ways to build our students’ skills in this area.”
Scott Frize, Head of Technologies
This could include anything as simple as learning how to address a teacher in an email, or being careful about the information they share online with unknown contacts.
Digital Literacy in Australian schools creates new ways for students to learn. Just like traditional literacy skills, students learn critical thinking in a digital form.
As highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to integrate with digital technology is important for students.
Learning Digital Literacy in Australian Schools helps open up future opportunities for your child.
Upon entering tertiary or further education, your child becomes a ‘digital citizen’.
University requires students to understand and use technology to interact with the world. They are also required to apply critical thinking to question, evaluate and create using technology.
It is important for your child to learn Digital Literacy Skills early and prepare for university requirements including:
Understanding how to apply and use resources without plagiarising
Work in a team and communicate digitally (coordinating for group assessments, sharing information and data etc.)
Using digital technology to research and learn across different disciplines
Know how to address different university staff or students appropriately online
Having strong Digital Literacy skills develops employability. Digital fluency skills were ranked second by Australian employers in the LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report 2021.
In fact, companies are expanding to create new roles requiring the confident use of new technology. According to a new MIT report, approximately 156,000 new technology workers are needed for the rapid transformation of businesses.
Around 87% of jobs now require digital skills.
With the advancement of technology, your child is required to live, learn and work in a digital society.
Digital safety is important for your child navigating social media, internet platforms and mobile devices.
Cyberbullying
Using social media effectively
Identifying what is appropriate information to post
Scams
Digital Literacy teaches your child how to do this in a safe and effective way. This includes situations of:
Choosing a school for your child can be difficult, if you wish to receive further information please see Choosing a School NSW 37 or Choosing a School VIC 34.
About
Ava works as a Digital Writer for School Choice Magazine as well as a a contributor to the annual ‘Choosing a School Magazine’.