Friday, January 15, 2010

Digital Literacy (definition)

Technology can be incredibly advantageous; however, only those people who are capable of working with technology can reap its benefits. These peple can be considered digitally literate. Digital literacy in one of its more fundamental definitions is "the ability to perform tasks effectively in a digital environment" ("Benefits: Digitial Literacy"). It also includes "the ability to use digital technology, communication tools or networks to locate, evaluate, use and create information" (Benefits: Digital Literacy). Being able to access, utilize, and send information is essential to living with other people. If one cannot do this in a digital environment, then communication amongst others can be impeded or halted completely.

Digital literacy can be also defined by its myriad benefits. To start, increasingly more jobs are demanding digital literacy; thus, digital literacy can be thought of as a means to more desirable professions, which can actually improve one's quality of life. Additionally, digital literacy can also be considered a time and money saver when utilized for certain activities, such as "paying bills, applying for jobs, doing ... taxes, and banking" (Digital Literacy Definition and Resources). To illustrate, making a financial transaction online is faster than doing the same thing by driving to a local bank and waiting in line for a teller. Also, one wastes money on the gas that he or she burns driving to the bank and back. Moreover, digital literacy is the opportunity to "stregthen family ties across vast geographic distances" if members of a family are all digitally literate (Digital Literacy Definition and Resources). The plethora of communication venues such as e-mail, AIM, and Skype are excellent means of keeping in contact with others given a group of people know how to exploit these tools.

Works Cited

"Benfits: Digital Literacy". Communications Workers of America. 14 Jan 2010.

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"Digital Literacy Definition and Resources". University Library: University of

Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 14 Jan 2010.

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2 comments:

  1. Davd CronJanuary 17, 2010 at 6:30 PM

    Nice job. I like how the definition you used in the first paragraph, "Being able to access, utilize, and send information," is worded in such a broad way that it really covers all the different areas in which digital literacy benefits us. Something else that stood out to me was the fact that you mentioned the benefit of being able to stay in touch with distant relatives. Sure, this is rather obvious since we all have most likely used technology for this, but it is an example that I haven't seen in many blog posts or articles. Most seem to focus on digital literacy's ties to education and work, but I think it's important to remember the ways in which it can benefit us socially. I have observed that many adults in generations above us are starting to realize this benefit, as I have noticed more adults and even teachers getting facebook accounts. Overall, I think you wrote a very inclusive and well written definition.

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  2. Michael BalkeJanuary 18, 2010 at 4:16 PM

    Good post! I liked this definition because it was so broad. It covered many different areas that digital literacy is important and gave examples. For example when you talked about paying bills faster or staying connected with friends, all of these are certainly an advantage for being digitally literate. It's almost like this definition is trying to persuade me to become digitally literate. Very informative.

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