{"id":47,"date":"2015-08-01T13:26:38","date_gmt":"2015-08-01T20:26:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/etec540digitalliteracy\/?page_id=47"},"modified":"2015-08-02T14:41:44","modified_gmt":"2015-08-02T21:41:44","slug":"digital-literacies-defined","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/etec540digitalliteracy\/digital-literacies-defined\/","title":{"rendered":"Digital Literacies Defined"},"content":{"rendered":"

To understand Digital Literacies we need to start with a\u00a0definition. \u00a0The 1990’s saw a rise of research and academics weighing in on this topic. Eager to label this new way of learning, scholars published multiple definitions.<\/p>\n

Gilster (1997)\u00a0suggested digital literacy was\u00a0“an ability to understand and\u00a0to use information from a variety of digital sources.” \u00a0Simply put, it is “literacy in the digital age” (Bawden, 2008, p. 18). \u00a0The author takes a somewhat controversially, uncomplicated view of this term and states it is now essential for learners to be competent using current technologies.<\/p>\n

In 1995, Lanham took a somewhat restrictive view of digital literacy. \u00a0He determined that a new form of literacy was required to make sense of multiple sources of information (Bawden, 2008). \u00a0Sources such as text, audio, and images. \u00a0This definition was criticized for not expanding technology\u00a0to incorporate any future devices.<\/p>\n

According to Bawden, Eshet in 2002 expanded on Gilster’s definition and argued digital literacy is a way of thinking or a specific mindset. \u00a0To Eshet, digital literacy went\u00a0beyond competencies and he\u00a0asserted learners of\u00a0digital literacy were required to\u00a0think in a new, technological way.<\/p>\n

The last few years (2010 to present) have resulted in the expansion\u00a0of digital literacy definitions and theories. \u00a0While scholars and academics\u00a0continue to research the topic, organizations and institutions have begun to create definitions to fit their educational philosophies or strategic plan mandates. \u00a0The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has suggested<\/p>\n

. . . digital literacy generally refers to a variety of skills associated with using ICT (information and communication technologies) to find, evaluate, create and communicate information. It is the sum of the technical skills and cognitive skills people employ to use computers to retrieve information, interpret what they find and judge the quality of that information. It also includes the ability to communicate and collaborate using the Internet\u2014through blogs, self-published documents and presentations and collaborative social networking platforms.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In recognition of the multitude of digital literacy definitions and the ever-changing nature of technology, Belshaw (2012) created a definition which incorporated eight essential elements of digital literacy.<\/p>\n

\"Screen<\/a><\/p>\n

In his doctoral dissertation, Belshaw explores each element:<\/p>\n