In the early days of the pandemic, various sources circulated sometimes confusing, often conflicting guidelines about how to adjust our behaviors as conditions changed. Finding out the right information became necessary and important to infer meaningful data. Today’s students should be equipped with the skills to understand where data like this comes from and how to best interpret it.
Digital Literacy doesn’t need to be complex. Everyone should be able to collect data, even younger students can engage and interact in simple ways.
Why assess digital literacy?
Especially in today’s post-COVID world, students need to be able to find reliable information. Here are the five most common reasons schools feel the need to assess student and faculty digital literacy:
To complete online testing
The growing reliance of schools on web-based testing has forced many schools to confront the lack of digital literacy in their students and staff. The absence of basic tech skills required to respond to questions in online testing impacts the student’s ability to share evidence of their knowledge.
To use tech in classes
Using technology in education requires a broader set of skills than what is needed for online testing. Students will need to be proficient in not just keyboarding and word processing but searching and research and other tools to be able analysis data.
To prepare for college and career
This is a more complex level of tech knowledge. This could include writing resumes, preparing an online curriculum, connecting digital devices to local WIFI’s, and managing the security of their personal device and information. Students should be prepped and readied for later in life.
To engage in remote learning
Popularity and need of online classes have grown exponentially. Many students are now attending completely online classes that allow them to balance work-life demands with education endeavors. If this is the goal, it will include the ability to manage digital devices (set-up and troubleshoot), submit homework and classwork online, communicate with teachers and classmates online, and stay on top of grades.
Know how to pick the right tech tool for the specific situation
If students or faculty don’t understand tech tools, they must rely on someone else to tell them which tool is best for a given circumstance. Using assessments for both teachers and students can give schools knowledge on what technology to use, or which technology needs to be implemented for future success.
What are some ways your school tests for digital literacy?
Resources:
https://www.iste.org/explore/4-innovative-trends-k-12-educationhttps://www.edtechupdate.com/assessment/?open-article-id=13489105&article-title=how-to-assess-digital-literacy&blog-domain=askatechteacher.com&blog-title=ask-a-tech-teacher
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