Adults and Young People as Digital Literacy Learners

Melinda GardnerUnit 311

Aims and Objectives❏Understand the importance of digital literacy to

adults and young people

❏Understand why some adults and young people may not have developed digital literacy skills and how potential barriers can be addressed

Define the nature and scope of digital literacy Unit 311/LO1/1.1

- What is Digital Literacy?

★The ability to use digital technology, communication or networks to locate, evaluate, use and create information.

★The ability to understand and use information in multiple formats from a wide range of sources when it is presented via technology.

★A person’s ability to perform tasks effectively in a digital environment.

★Literacy includes the ability to read and interpret media, to reproduce data and images through digital manipulation, and to evaluate and apply new knowledge gained from digital environments.

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Define the nature and scope of digital literacy

Digital Literacy = Digital Tool knowledge + Critical Thinking + Social engagement - Josie Fraser

A definition is offered by JISC (Joint Information Systems Committee):

Digital Literacy = "Those capabilities which fit an individual for living, learning and working in a digital society."

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Define the nature and scope of digital literacy

“The scope of digital literacy is all encompassing. It is very difficult to think of an element of our lives that is not affected by digital technology.” - Gary West

Just to name a few:● Personal and Professional Relationships

● Financial Wellbeing

● Leisure Activities, Entertainment

● Our Daily Routine

● Education

● Employment

● Communication

● Transportation

● Safety

“It makes more sense to talk about digital literacies (plural) as what is being described is a whole set of skills and abilities needed for someone to flourish in today’s technology rich environment.” - London Metropolitan University 5

video link

This graphic gives you some idea of the scope of digital literacies.

Look at the different columns - how does what you do online and with your devices help you in these domains? Think about the subject area you teach – what digital and technical abilities are important?

Define the nature and scope of digital literacy

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Define the nature and scope of digital literacy

“As attention is increasingly given to children and young people’s interaction with digital cultures, it is easy to assume that young people are ‘digitally native.’ It is often alleged that having grown up with technology, young people have a wealth of digital technology skills that far surpass those of their ‘digital immigrant’ parents and teachers. Many young people are confident in using a wide range of technologies and often turn to the internet for finding information. They appear to be able to learn to operate unfamiliar hardware or software very quickly and may take on the role of teaching adults how to use computers and the internet. This is not evenly spread amongst all young people, however, but is instead affected by issues of class, race, gender and nationality. Researchers point to a ‘participation gap’ which signals unequal access to the opportunities, skills and experiences that will prepare students for life in the 21st century.”

http://www2.futurelab.org.uk/resources/documents/handbooks/digital_literacy.pdf

7Click on link for source

...The scope of the World Wide Web

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“The web has transformed almost every aspect of public, private and work life. It has underpinned our new economy; from changing the way every workplace communicates to creating entire new industries. It is reshaping government through improved public services and improving transparency through open data.

And it has improved people’s lives, whether through cutting household bills, finding a job or maintaining contact with distant friends and relatives. For business and voluntary organisations, going online can provide ways to reach more customers and reduce operating costs. The internet also provides broader benefits, by helping to address wider social and economic issues like reducing isolation and improving health.”

Government Digital Inclusion Strategy

As of 2015, the World Wide Web is now 26 years old

Explain the role of digital literacy in the lives of

adults and young people in society

Unit 311/LO1/1.2

Sources: Digital literacy across the curriculum. http://www2.futurelab.org.uk/, www.jisc.ac.uk/, Google search, YouTube, links added

The Role of Digital Literacy with Adults and Young People

“...not only being digitally literate and able to use what is at our disposal, but moving beyond that to the realms of programming, then now really is the time for this generation to be getting up skilled. The so called ‘digital divide’ may well become the ‘digital cliff’ for some to fall off if education does not play its part in developing the digital literacy skills of citizens of the future.” Alan Scott, 2015

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What has changed in your lifetime? What assumptions about the world did you grow up with which you might want to revisit and rethink? I predict as you start to think about it you will find that it is more than you originally guessed; it is still happening and the speed at which change is occurring is phenomenal. The gap will get wider if you let it. Try and keep up.

The Times They are a-Changin’Bob Dylan

“Come gather 'round peopleWherever you roam

And admit that the watersAround you have grownAnd accept it that soon

You'll be drenched to the boneIf your time to you

Is worth savin'Then you better start swimmin'

Or you'll sink like a stoneFor the times they are a-

changin'.” Bob Dylan, 1964

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Keeping up with changes can be difficult, because it happens so fast

Links

With wearable technology, learning more about yourself has not only become high-tech but also real-time

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“Our vision for the future is that every piece of tech, like phones or cameras, is going to disappear and will be integrated into the garment” -Francesca Rosella

In a few years we’ll all be shopping for electronics the way that we shop for clothing today. Wearable Technology - The Guardian, 2015

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...BUT, tackling the digital divide, and ensuring equality of digital participation opportunities for all people, requires not only access to technology but also the digital literacy skills and knowledge which will allow people to read, write, create and communicate using such technology.

Yes, there is a lot to learn...

Describe the impact of not being digitally literate on adults and young people

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Unit 311/LO1/1.3

Digital literacy impacts the lives of adults and young people in society

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The Workforce is Changing Link to a short video - (uploaded in 2010)

“I think there is still a big gap to be narrowed between the schools that are and the schools that aren’t incorporating digital literacy into the whole curriculum,” But that we are actually talking about the fact that understanding how the digital world works, is as important as reading, writing and maths for every student.“If you don’t really understand how the digital world functions you’re really living in a world where you don’t have the creative and innovation skills that are going to be needed in the future economy.” - Mark Surman, Daily Telegraph, 2013

“The ability to embed learning digital skills inside what we might think of as traditional skills, across the whole curriculum, is certainly something to think about.” - Jodie Lopez, Daily Telegraph, 2013

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Digital literacy - the need“Many learners enter further and higher education lacking the skills needed to apply digital technologies to education. As 90% of new jobs will require excellent digital skills, improving digital literacy is an essential component of developing employable graduates.” - JISC, 2011 JISC

The impact of not being digitally literate

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Research published by the BBC has found that 21% of Britain’s population lack the basic digital skills and capabilities required to realise the benefits of the internet.

Areas that impact not being digitally literate

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The impact of not being digitally literate

Being digitally capable can make a significant difference to individuals and organisations day to day. For individuals, this can mean cutting household bills, finding a job, or maintaining contact with distant friends and relatives. For organisations, going online can provide ways to reach more customers and reduce operating costs. The internet also provides broader benefits, by helping to address wider social and economic issues like reducing isolation and supporting economic growth.

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Describe a range of personal, social and economic reasons why some adults and

young people may not have fully developed digital literacy skills

Unit 311/LO2/2.1

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Our ability to connect

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“Helping more people to go online can also help tackle wider social issues, support economic growth and close equality gaps.” Developing Digital Literacies

According to research published by the BBC, just under 10% of the adult population may never be able to gain basic digital capabilities, because of disabilities or basic literacy skillsSome barriers include: Digital skills - being able to use computers and the internetConnectivity - and access to the internet; (some areas in Wales, for example, have no internet connection or wifi services)Accessibility - services should be designed to meet all users’ needs, including those dependent on assistive technology to access digital services

22Digital Inclusion

Why some adults and young people may not have fully developed digital literacy skills

Our most vulnerable...Digital exclusion affects some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in society:

● Those in social housing● Those on lower wages, or unemployed● Those with disabilities● Older people● Young people

There are other groups who have a higher tendency to be digitally excluded such as offenders and ex-offenders.

For all of these groups, adult digital and literacy skills are a sizeable challenge. Being able to improve adult digital and literacy skills is at the heart of reducing digital exclusion and helping people go online.

Government Digital Inclusion Strategy - UK23

“Only 27% of young people who are offline are in full-time employment” - Government Digital Inclusion Strategy

Analyse a minimum of three factors that motivate adults and young people to

want to gain digital literacy skills Unit 311/LO2/2.2

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Prezie Presentation of Same Question - Jenny Kiddie

Motivation

In Behavioural Psychology, there are two forms of motivation discussed; intrinsic (internal), and extrinsic (external).

Example 1: “I want to learn how to use Facebook so I can see what my friends and family are up to and I can keep in touch” - this would be intrinsic motivation; the desire to improve personal skills for the emotional benefit of staying connected to family and friends.

Example 2: “I need to develop further computer skills so that I can search for a job online” - this would be considered extrinsic motivation; the desire to gain employment to receive financial gain and therefore a better lifestyle.

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What motivates adults and young people to want to gain digital literacy skills The following list is comprised of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations:

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1. Search for and apply for a job, secure a promotion at work, or move into a different job or position

2. For young people, there might be peer pressure - to be doing or to have what everyone else has; to

communicate with friends or family using social media, or other relevant programmes such as

FaceTime or Skype

3. For adults, communication with family, understanding and using email, social media, etc., wanting

to improve their own skills; wanting to feel more connected with the world around them

4. Adults may want to support children or grandchildren with completing homework assignments

5. Young people may want to gain further education and may find it necessary to develop their skills

6. Both young and adult people may want to improve their skills by learning how to apply for jobs

online, upload a CV or application, access information when needed (such as medical information)

7. Recognition that in order to keep up with the rest of the world, you must be connected

Summarise the barriers to digital literacy that some adults and young people may experience Unit 311/LO2/2.3

Suggest ways to overcome the barriers described Unit 311/LO2/2.4

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Barriers to Learning Digital Literacy Skills

Barrier Overcoming Barrier

Access Not having access to technology – if you are unable to access hardware, software or internet, then digital learning is unable to take place

Raise awareness to free sites and access that is within communities; this can range from libraries for computer access or sites with Wi-Fi access

Skills Poor literacy, numeracy and ICT skills which can be in the form of learning difficulties, confidence issues, economic situations, etc. Not having knowledge of assistive technologies, or educational or home support can be a barrier

Raise awareness to the accessibilities that are available to learners; various programs to support learners with difficulties and support to develop and upskill essential skills; community education support, etc.

Motivation Negative attitudes regarding digital literacy because of comments or stories in the media or from family and/or friends. This can also be based on negative experiences and fear of technology. This will lead to decreased motivation.

Positive educational experiences will help to overcome the negative feelings. Provide learners with a safe and interesting environment; collaborative learning, positive experiences. This will change their attitude, which will improve their motivation.

Let's Give Adults Access

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Benefits and concerns about the shift into digital learning

Benefits Concerns

1. Engagement: improved learner motivation from engaging content and game-based strategies2. Time: allowing learners to learn the way they learn best3. Location: anywhere anytime learning creates a new world of opportunity4. Pacing: allowing learners to progress at their own rate5. Individualization: customizing learning by level and modality6. Content: rich, deep, and up to date7. Sharing: the difference between ‘turn it in’ and ‘publish it’; the ability for tutors to share what works8. Data: instant and multiple forms of feedback; smart profiles that will drive customized learning9. Ownership: learners choosing what to learn, how to demonstrate their learning10. Learner involvement: transparency and connections the classroom; collaboration

1. Infrastructure: particularly affordable broadband and internet connection2. More of the same: the risk of layering technology on top of how we’ve always done teaching3. Old paradigms: are we reinventing the wheel yet again with the same outcomes4. Equity: the ability to vary time could result in fast groups and slow groups based on historical stereotypes5. Management and scheduling: customized learning will require much better management and scheduling tools6. Preparation & development: learning new tools will be priority, and incorporating those tools will take additional time7. Obsolesce: constantly changing software and hardware versions make it tough to stay current8. Interoperability: there are lots of engaging content and cool apps but they don’t always work together9. Security and cheating: technology will solve some problems but introduce other challenges10. E-safety

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I hope you were able to benefit from all this information

Thank you - M Gardner

Like what you see?For more digital literacy info - check out my blog:http://digilitgllm.blogspot.co.uk/ Reflections of a Digitally Literate Wannabe