Digitization has become the ideal solution for companies, where it is possible to manage internal activities online. This fact demonstrated the importance of using digital media. And the definition of digital literacy is precisely the key to improving this process. It is therefore necessary to know the importance and impact of this opportunity to improve individually.
What is the definition of digital literacy?
It refers to the ability of a person to carry out activities efficiently, using digital tools and media. In this way you can perform various tasks, such as: research, write, analyze and create content. Using the digital environment as a working mechanism and tool to meet the objectives.
When a person masters what is the definition of digital literacy, they can not only apply their knowledge at work, but also at home, in their personal activities and more. Likewise, the person’s new skills also provide a greater opportunity for employability. Or, on the other hand, a greater capacity to undertake personal projects.
Characteristics of digital literacy:
Regarding the knowledge and skills to be acquired, it could be said that this type of literacy is characterized by the following:
- Development of ICT skills.
- Skill in the search, selection and processing of information.
- Cooperation and effective communication.
- Prepare content.
- Share ideas, expressions and information.
- Increase of the following abilities:
- Critical thinking.
- Creativity and innovation.
- Problem solving.
- Understanding of the digital community, its changes and influence.
- Methods to navigate safely.
Benefits of digital literacy
As we have explained, the personal training of a person to improve their skills and knowledge of the digital environment is, in itself, highly fruitful. However, to highlight these benefits, we will explain them to you according to their scope below:
In the Laboral scene:
- Development of knowledge and skills in the tools available to fulfill and improve activities.
- Correct use of programs and applications.
- Ease of finding, examining, analyzing and selecting information.
- Increased productivity and personal performance.
- Greater opportunity to apply for a job in the digital sector and even with a distance modality.
- Improve self-management.
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At a professional level:
- Increased professional development.
- Opportunity to stand out in your area and sector.
- Combine skills with knowledge to offer a better service.
- Recognition for complementary skills.
- Fluency and mastery of tools and terms.
- Options to learn from different websites and platforms. New habilities.
In personal life:
- Apply the knowledge in necessary activities.
- Offer help to others in their shortcomings on the subject.
- Greater fluency in the communication of information.
- Development of judgment in believing or disclosing information, before making sure that it is legitimate.
Difference Between Digital Literacy and Computer Literacy
The definition of digital literacy refers to mastering the use of digital media, in order to improve development in them. However, it maintains a relationship with computer literacy, although they are different. The second includes the appropriation of information technologies, to actively use it in the necessary activities, a term applicable in the business environment. Because companies that do not even have computer services incorporate them into their services.
In this way, computer literacy helps individuals and corporations to improve their means of reaching and selling. On the other hand, when only one staff needs to be trained to carry out a certain number of activities. While both are beneficial to achieving your goals, their methods and functions are different.
What is the role of digital literacy in education?
As we have previously mentioned, digital literacy is an opportunity to improve not only personal management but also various processes. This is how education has also managed to improve its teaching processes by applying this concept. Since they provide their students with ICT tools to consolidate knowledge.
In primary education, it has been shown that using audiovisual content promotes creativity and imagination in students. In the same way, in other higher levels of study, to apply the necessary methods to investigate and analyze the information.
Likewise, the different platforms and tools improve active communication between teachers and students. And also in the creation of content and in the delivery of the evaluations.
It could be said that the definition of digital literacy is widely used in the education sector. Taking advantage of all the pedagogical options, and that promote gamification in the classroom in an interactive way through ICTs.
The process of literacy in the digital environment
The digital literacy process begins with the motivation to meet a need, whether it is learning a skill or mastering a tool. Later, there is the phase of learning and consolidation of knowledge, where practice is crucial. Finishing with the execution of the activities and the constant improvement and evolution of the student. This is why integration and motivation are highly relevant in the subject, with the aim of mastering the new skill.
Importance of digital literacy: What is its impact on society?
Every year technologies show us their progress. How they have evolved over time and what they can now do for us. Consequently, many jobs have been replaced by machines, logarithms and artifacts. Thus generating the emigration of those affected labor populations, to other job opportunities, where the use of technology is increasingly important to maintain the job.
This is why many companies decided to invest in training their staff to improve their skills. In this way, the staff was greatly benefited by this action. For its part, this process is only successful if the employee in question also wants to learn and makes an effort to achieve it.
Although the term is popular in the workplace, there are also people who are motivated to learn on their own. The young generation is even constantly involved in workshops and courses to improve their professionalism for the future. Highlighting in his list of skills, the use of digital tools and their application in the media and social networks.
The latter has been a great factor that has determined the growth of this area, since companies are focused on becoming global through the Internet. To meet these requirements, it is necessary to get involved in the definition of digital literacy.
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