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Foundational skills for a digital world
Digital Technology Literacy (DTL) is about fundamental learning that enables people to better understand and leverage technology for their own purposes and the good of society and is based on research undertaken by Dr. David Homa
A New Literacy
We need a world in which technology is developed to serve the needs of people and societies first. To do this, we must broaden the group of people involved in the creation process, and to this end prepare a wider group who can bring their own areas of domain expertise to the table. Digital Technology Literacy is one way to make this happen.
Like other forms of literacy, developing proficiency in technology requires foundational skills, knowledge, and activities. In reading, for example, learners build their ability through phonics, vocabulary, and practice. The same is true for technology. Before you can manipulate data, use digital tools effectively, or contribute meaningfully to discussions about goals, you must first master the basics. But what are the digital equivalents of phonics and vocabulary?
Learning Digital Technology Literacy Requires:
Gaining this knowledge:
- Information and data confidence
- What is data and information?
- How to gather and manipulate it?
- How to put data to work for you?
- What are the pitfalls in this work?
- Process and instruction set understanding
- How to structure solving a problem
- How to use a design lifecycle
- How to directly give instructions to technology
- Physical world appreciation
- Limitations of tech based on how it works (like wifi or GPS)
- Environment-suitable technology
- How technology “sees” and “hears”
Developing these skills in a digital technology context:
- Learning
- Knowledge acquisition
- Unstructured learning
- Generalizing knowledge
- Seeking out experts
- Exploring metacognition
- Sense-Making
- Framing through experience
- Dealing with abstraction
- Curiosity
- Experimentation
- Rule building and heuristics
- Motivation
- Intrinsic motivation
- Perseverance
Today’s Technology Learners
Currently, the skills needed for digital literacy are often mastered by students who show a natural inclination for these tasks and choose to pursue them beyond the basics. Meanwhile, others are largely excused from learning these skills but are later expected to perform technical tasks at a high level. This selective approach means that those who go on to create technology are often self-selected and may not represent the diversity of the global population. As a result, technology can be shaped by the perspectives of a narrow group. If you believe that digital natives don’t need formal education in this area, it’s worth reconsidering what it means to be a “digital native.”
Not Your Usual Math and Science
Why is it such a challenge for some people to learn how to leverage digital technology? To understand this, we need to examine its roots. Most academic disciplines that have developed over the past few centuries are grounded in the humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences. Applied sciences, such as engineering and computer science, have a strong foundation in natural science, including math and logic. However, digital technology is primarily built on the foundations of applied science. Since most schooling doesn’t emphasize applied science enough, digital technology becomes more accessible to those who actively pursue specialized training. For everyone else, engaging with digital technology means navigating it without the benefit of proper foundational skills.
The Research
Qualitative research is uncovering the knowledge and skills needed to successfully leverage digital technology, as outlined earlier. Early findings suggest that the required foundations go beyond the basic introduction to applied sciences typically offered in current programs. These programs have historically advanced the abilities of mostly self-selected learners who may already possess specific skill sets. The goal of this research is to identify the combination of skills necessary for everyone to achieve basic digital technology literacy. Ongoing fieldwork, conducted in workshop settings, is assessing the effectiveness of the learning approaches outlined so far.