What is digital literacy?

Summary

The video script highlights the importance of digital literacy for university students, emphasizing it as a key skill among Deakin's graduate learning outcomes. It outlines five core competencies: searching and locating information, critically evaluating sources, organizing and curating data, creating digital content, and collaborating with others using technology. Digital literacy is portrayed as essential for academic success and future career prospects, with Deakin offering support to students in developing these skills.

Takeaways

• 📚 Digital literacy is essential for university success, encompassing a range of skills needed to navigate the digital world.
• 🔍 It involves searching, navigating, and locating information in digital environments, which is a critical skill for research and learning.
• 🤔 Evaluating information is key; students must apply critical thinking to determine the relevance and credibility of the information they find.
• 📁 Organizing and curating information is crucial for making it accessible and useful for future reference and projects.
• 🖌 Digital literacy includes creating digital artifacts and managing one's digital identity, such as online presentations and assignments.
• 💬 Communication and collaboration are integral parts of digital literacy, as they facilitate the sharing of information and group work.
• 🌐 Students are expected to be proficient in using a variety of technologies, not just current ones, but also those that emerge in the future.
• 🔄 Adaptability is a core aspect of digital literacy, as it allows students to stay relevant and effective in a rapidly changing technological landscape.
• 🎓 Deakin University emphasizes digital literacy as one of its graduate learning outcomes, preparing students with skills for university and future careers.
• 🏆 Achieving digital literacy is not just about using technology but also about confidently applying it to live, learn, and work in a digital world.

Q & A

What is digital literacy and why is it important for university students?

Digital literacy refers to the ability to use technology confidently in various aspects of life, including learning and work. It is crucial for university students as it equips them with the skills needed to navigate, evaluate, and create content in a digital world, which is essential for academic success and future careers.

How does the library assist students in developing digital literacy skills?

The library helps students understand digital literacy by providing resources and guidance on how to search, evaluate, and manage information effectively, as well as how to use various digital tools for academic purposes.

What are the five connected areas of digital literacy mentioned in the script?

The five connected areas of digital literacy are: 1) searching, navigating, and locating information in digital environments; 2) evaluating, analyzing, and applying critical thinking skills to information; 3) organizing, managing, and curating found information; 4) creating, constructing, and generating digital artifacts and a digital identity; 5) communicating, connecting, and collaborating with others using various technologies.

Why is it necessary for students to adapt to new technologies for digital literacy?

Adapting to new technologies is necessary for students to stay current and relevant in a rapidly changing digital landscape. It ensures they are prepared to use the latest tools and platforms, which can enhance their learning experiences and future employability.

How does digital literacy relate to the concept of Deakin graduate learning outcomes?

Digital literacy is one of the eight Deakin graduate learning outcomes, which are a core set of skills that Deakin students are expected to acquire. It signifies the university's commitment to preparing graduates who are proficient in using technology in various aspects of their lives.

What is an example of a digital artifact that a digitally literate student might create?

A digitally literate student might create digital artifacts such as online presentations, videos about their research area, or written and edited assignments, showcasing their ability to generate content in a digital format.

How does digital literacy help students in their academic research?

Digital literacy assists students in academic research by enabling them to efficiently search for and locate relevant information, critically evaluate its relevance and credibility, and organize it for effective use in their studies.

What role does digital literacy play in group projects and collaborations?

Digital literacy is essential in group projects and collaborations as it allows students to communicate and share information effectively using various digital tools, which can enhance teamwork and the overall productivity of the group.

How can students practice and improve their digital literacy skills?

Students can practice and improve their digital literacy skills by actively engaging with digital resources, participating in online discussions, creating digital content, and staying updated with the latest technologies and platforms.

What are some strategies for evaluating the credibility of information found online?

Strategies for evaluating online information credibility include checking the author's credentials, the source's reputation, the date of publication, the presence of citations or references, and cross-referencing the information with other reliable sources.

Why is it important for students to manage and curate information they find online?

Managing and curating information is important for students to ensure that they can easily access and use the information for their academic work. It involves organizing, storing, and categorizing digital resources in a way that supports their learning and research needs.