Introduction to Digital Literacy
The term digital literacy is multifaceted; this definition from Morgan et al. (2022) best covers the many pieces:
"the ability to access, analyse, evaluate and communicate digital information, using relevant digital tools in a manner which is legally, ethically and socially aware" (p. 261)
In an increasingly digital world, it is important to be able to understand, share, and create digital content.
Aspects of Digital Literacy
This short module will cover:
- what digital literacy is,
- why it is important, and
- how you can hone your digital literacy skills and help your students do the same.
What is Digital Literacy?
Digital literacy includes a range of skills needed to engage ethically with content and information in the digital realm -- but it also means being able to use those skills effectively in order to create and share digital content.
Elements of Digital Literacy
- Exploration and evaluation of information online
- Ethical sharing of content, considering validity and privacy
- Creative and collaborative production of digital content
Digital literacy includes not only the technical skills involved in understanding how to use digital technologies, but also cognitive skills in critical thinking and evaluation of information
Why is Digital Literacy Important?
For You
Incorporating digital themes and tools into your coursework means you can personalize your content in creative and engaging ways. It also allows you to explore different modes of instruction for increasingly diverse learners.
For Students
Digital literacy is a critical skill for students as they finish their degrees and enter the workforce. Students are digital natives, meaning they have typically never known a world without the internet; however, this does not always mean students are digitally literate. Introducing digital assignments not only allows students to practice digital literacy, but it also encourages students to approach assignments from new viewpoints that they may not have thought about otherwise.
Help Students Think Critically
Everything we do online can contribute to a larger conversation; students must think critically about the content they create, as well as the information they come across. Encourage students to always double check facts they find on social media and consider the biases that other creators might have, as well as any biases they might hold.
Adobe RFP Examples
Academic Technology & Outreach and the DigLit team put out an RFP for this school year to encourage the adoption of digital media assignments in classrooms to further digital literacy on campus. Chosen faculty were awarded a $2000 grant; requirements for the award were 1) covering the digital literacy mini-module, 2) at least one in-class demonstration run by the team, and 3) encouraging student participation in a longitudinal research study on the effects of digital literacy initiatives on students' self-perception of their own digital literacy.
Fall '23/Spring '24 Grant Faculty
Kirsten Ostberg
- Department of Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology
- College of Agriculture
- LARC 202: Sustainable Landscape Design
- Culminating ePortfolio presentation
Sarah Johnson-Palomaki
- Department of Sociology & Anthropology
- College of Letters & Science
- SOCI 359: Crime, Justice & the Media
- Podcast on media coverage of true crime
William Fassbender
- Department of English
- College of Letters & Science
- ENT 237: Secondary English Curriculum
- ePortfolio with poetry video
Jennifer Boles
- School of Film & Photography
- College of Arts & Architecture
- FILM 505: Natural History Filmmaking
- Digitizing nature journal as a webpage
Jean Arthur-Sellegren
- Department of English
- College of Letters & Science
- WRIT 201: College Writing II
- Video reflection on student-conducted interview
Brooke Carnwath
- Department of English
- College of Letters & Science
- CLS 101: Knowledge & Community
- Art-viewing digital presentation
Nina Mondre Schweppe
- Liberal Studies
- College of Letters & Science
- LS 305: Ways of Seeing; GH 100: Introduction to World Cultures; LS 411: Sustainable Cities
- Digital art gallery; Final project video proposal; Analysis video & ePortfolio
Eric Sproles
- Department of Earth Sciences
- College of Letters & Science
- GPHY 402/502: Water & Society
- Infographics & culminating ePortfolio
Actual Prompt: Albert Bier painting with mountains, lake, and alpine house
Classroom Tools
Branding
Group projects are a breeze with the branding tool in Express. Students can share colors, fonts, and graphics in one place to streamline cohesive content.
Video Editor
Tired of reflection essays? Have your students create a reflection video instead! Students can import their own media, work from stock, or even record voiceovers from within Express.
Presentation Capabilities
Move over, PowerPoint! Express's webpage tool allows students to create beautiful visual presentations quickly and easily. From final presentations to ePortfolios, this tool has endless capabilities.
Express Demo & Activity
Resources
Here is a brief overview of resources available to hone digital literacy skills:
The DigLit Team
We are always available to answer your questions, run demos for your classes, or offer one-on-one support for you and your students.
Adobe EdEx
Adobe's Education Exchange is an awesome resource for exploring what other educators are doing with Adobe tools in the classroom. There are also in-depth tutorials for different Adobe tools.
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning is another great way to learn how to use digital tools. There are tons of courses and tutorials on all kinds of different platforms and skills, and both students and faculty have free access.
Credits:
Created with images by Pattadis - "Colorful powder explosion on white background. Abstract pastel color dust particles splash." • piyaphong - "Freeze motion of purple color powder exploding on white background." • kitsana - "abstract powder splatted on white background,Freeze motion of color powder exploding/throwing color powder, multicolored glitter texture." • Pattadis - "Freeze motion of colored powder explosion isolated on white background." • Djero Adlibeshe - "Colored powder explosion. Abstract closeup dust on backdrop. Colorful explode. Paint holi" • Djero Adlibeshe - "Colored powder explosion. Abstract closeup dust on backdrop. Colorful explode. Paint holi" • Chaiwat - "Abstract art powder paint on white background. Movement abstract frozen dust explosion multicolored on white background. Stop the movement of colored powder on white background."