The 21st century is rapidly on technological advancement wherein
nearly every aspect of life is in use of technologies. To prepare students and
future generation for this changing era, digital and computer literacy, along
with future trends and design thinking skills, plays a vital role in education.
According to Spires and Bartlett (2012) ‘Digital literacy practices involve the
ability to locate and consume, create, and communicate digital content, while
simultaneously employing a process of critical evaluation,’ While Computer
literacy focuses on the technical know-how of operating computers and
software effectively. With scientific breakthroughs many challenges are faced
like; rapidly widespread of misinformation, and fake news that makes it
difficult to distinguish credible sources from false information. Some tend to
overuse the use of technology, that leads to some health concerns that
include— sleep deprivation and headaches, and lastly the over-reliance to
technology. Although these challenges shows that many individuals still
struggle to use technology effectively for learning, we also cannot deny how
useful it is that it can even make our life easier, learning a bit more engaging,
and impact our work life.
These are some ways educators can do to empower students in
navigating through digital era, to embrace future trends while fostering design
thinking skills. Encourage the need to promote Digital Literacy in schools.
‘Digital literacy addresses the growing need for critical analysis of digital
content, teaching students to assess its source, credibility, and quality.’ Digital
Literacy in the classroom | American University. By promoting Digital Literacy
students are exposed to vast amount of new knowledge, where educators
must guide the students as to how they should act with all these newly
developed trends. Guiding them how to be responsible in digital space,
discuss different ethics and data privacy. In that way it can enhance their
critical thinking and protect them. Introducing diverse digital tools. To
effectively teach digital literacy, educators must make use of different digital
tools to engage students into learning, and enhance their skills in navigating
digital world. The examples of it are Google Classroom, Canva, Zoom,
Cyber.org, Google Scholar, and many more. Implementation of personalized
learning, in which students are able to learn through their own pace, but still
be guided by educators. Enabling them to adapt from fast changing digital
era, and at the same time foster their design thinking skills on the way.
Additionally, being a digital literate in our time could give you more advantage
than others. With preparation to students future workforce, acquiring
knowledge in different digital tools enhances their ability to quickly adapt for
new media platforms, tools, and emerging technologies. It has made
countless job opportunities, like a Web Designer, Digital Marketing Specialist,
and an IT-Support Specialist. These two examples of case studies was done
to illustrate effective strategies and initiatives in promoting digital literacy and
design thinking skills to 21st century learners; ‘Code.org promotes computer
science education for all students, with a focus on coding as an essential
digital literacy skill.’ Code.org. (2020). Hour of Code. And, ‘The ISTE
Standards provide a framework for integrating digital literacy and technology
into education, empowering students and teachers to use technology
creatively and responsibly.’ International Society for Technology in Education
(ISTE). (2016). ISTE Standards for Students.
In conclusion, in this century where nearly all things is with the use of
technology, let us guide these future young professionals and help them
navigate in this digital world. Educate them to the things they need to know,
help them to embrace this new trends for them to become responsible, and
foster their design thinking skills that is vital for their learning.
Scenario 2:
In today's interconnected
world, the integration of technology has become inseparable from our daily
lives and educational experiences. In light of this, reflect on the following
objectives, sharing your insights and experiences:
1. Personal and Learning Tech Usage:
Describe how you use technology in your daily life and for learning. Include
details about the devices, apps, and platforms youpp use regularly and how
they impact your routines and learning habits.
• My use of technology has been a daily routine for me, like phone and laptop.
I usually use digital platforms like Google, YouTube, and many more to help
me with my homework and work. Before, I was able to use it just to help me
for things needed to be done using digital. But now, I use it to entertain
myself, engaging in different digital platforms, and try various things using
technology.
2. Digital Literacy Differences:
Explore how digital literacy varies among individuals based on their context,
living situations, and tech usage. Discuss how factors like culture and
education contribute to these differences.
• One of the factor that many people have different digital literacy is their
geographical location. It can be for the reason that sometimes where you live
may influence you, for example; people from rural areas digital literacy is
expected to be not that high because they're not that exposed much in
internet and social media. While, those who lived in the city might have much
higher percentage with digital literacy because they are quite exposed in
knowledge of technology and uses much more of it.
3. Assess Your Digital Literacy:
Use a simple framework to evaluate your own digital literacy. Identify
strengths and areas for improvement in skills like information literacy and
digital communication.
• These days I rarely use soc media that allows interactions, and I mostly just
spend my time in digital platforms by just wtching videos etc. But, I'm quite
confident in using digital as communication, like messaging and using
different type of video calling. There's still so much room for improvement in
my learning and assessing credible informations and sources.
4. Reflect on Your Digital Footprint:
Consider the traces you leave online. Reflect on how your digital activities
might impact your personal and professional life, touching on issues of privacy
and security.
• I actually heard about digital footprint just recently, and haven't got any clue
as to what it's all about. Now that I think about it, I realize how dangerous it is
having no knowledge about privacy and security in digital world. Here are
some effect of mindlessly sharing everything online that I believe impacts my
personal and professional life; [1] People can use my face to use it for
scamming. [2] My location is revealed by pictures I posts, that means people
know where to find me, endangering my privacy. And lastly [3] People might
crack the security of my accounts because I overshare too much about my
info's.
5. Strategies for Digital Identity Control:
Devise practical strategies to manage your digital identity. Discuss steps you
can take to shape a positive online presence while protecting your privacy and
being a responsible digital citizen.
• Some strategies that I can use to mane my digital identity is; [1] Being mindful in
sharing online. [2] Use some strong and unique password to use jn account. And
lastly [3] Occasionally check and monitor my presence online.
