The need to be familiar with technology does not stop once education is completed. In fact, this demand is amplified in a majority of current jobs. As the Workforce Commission’s National Alliance of Business reports, “The current and future health of America’s 21st century economy depends directly on how broadly and deeply Americans reach a new level of literacy—21st Century Literacy" (Jones-Kavalier). Many jobs now have their employment application entirely online, making familiarity with computers necessary in order to even apply for a job, let alone succeed at one. With the current economy, companies cannot afford to pay workers who are slow and incompetent due to being digitally illiterate. Many jobs today even require digital literacy certification. This just goes to show how imperative digital literacy is to success and economic security. It is no longer sufficient just being able to read and write; we must be able to proficiently use technology in order to be successful in this modern era.
Works Cited:
Jones-Kavalier, Barbara R., and Suzanne L. Flannigan. "Connecting the Digital Dots: Literacy of the 21st Century." EDUCAUSE Quarterly 29.2 (2006). Http://www.educause.edu. 2006. Web. 15 Jan. 2010.
Ferguson, Dave. "Digital Literacies: Reading Signs Along The Way." Web log post. Portablelearner. Shanta Rohse, 16 Mar. 2009. Web. 15 Jan. 2010.
I like your incorporation of all age groups into your digital literacy definition. I think it is very important that people be digitally literate even if they don't have the luxury of computers, cell phones, etc. These people will definitely still encounter technology in their everyday lives, such as when checking out at a grocery store. I was also interested in the point you made about digital literacy certification. I haven't heard of such a test or program, but it reiterates how crucial digital literacy is to be successful in the modern world.
ReplyDeleteA point in this entry that I believe is very good is regarding digital literacy in the modern workforce. Most people are writing about what digital literacy is and who has it, but David makes a good point applying it to a stage of life that will be upon many of us within the next decade of our lives. We have all grown up using and abusing technology, so most of us will be prepared for the digital applications that our job will challenge us with. This will put older candidates vying for similar jobs as our generation at a severe disadvantage if they have not made the extra effort to become "digitally literate".
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