In today’s rapidly evolving digital world, digital literacy has become a fundamental skill for success. This is especially true for a generation that was born during a time where talking with Siri or Alexa is the norm and watching You Tube videos replaces those traditional cartoons on cable TV. Living in a digital age, developing digital literacy early on is crucial for a student’s future career readiness. This blog explores the importance of digital literacy, how it prepares elementary students for the workforce, and addresses concerns about privacy and online safety. 

What Is Digital Literacy – For Elementary Students?  

We like this definition of digital literacy. But as a short definition, it is the process of educating yourself about the digital world so that you can navigate both confidently and responsibly. The same definition extends to elementary students too! Specifically, digital literacy includes strengthening skills such as:  

•  navigating the internet safely 
• understanding online safety 
• using educational software in a responsible way 
• creating digital content (think digital presentations or even building something with coding apps, etc.)  

At home, digital literacy starts with parents first being digitally literate and then using that information to create a supportive environment where children can explore technology safely. For example, this may resemble setting guidelines for screen time, discussing the importance of privacy, and encouraging positive online behavior. Of course, one of the best ways to create this environment includes personally modeling good digital habits. 

When it comes to the classroom, digital literacy looks a bit different. In fact, it is sometimes called “media literacy” instead of digital literacy. Regardless of the name, digital literacy in class should resemble integrating technology into the classroom in a way that enhances learning. This can include:  

• designing lessons that incorporate the use of digital tools in a responsible and safe way 
• teaching students how to evaluate online information critically (especially in our age where so much AI generated content exists).  
• creating opportunities for collaborative projects using digital platforms

Teachers also play a crucial role in educating students about digital citizenship, which encompasses the ethical and responsible (e.g. bias free) use of technology. Check out our blog on navigating bias in education to explore this further!  

 Digital Literacy and Digital Skills  

In this entire series on digital literacy, you will see the term digital skills a lot. We like this definition of digital skills. Digital literacy and digital skills are terms often used interchangeably, yet they encompass distinct aspects of interacting with technology. Let’s unpack this for a moment.  

• Digital literacy focuses on gaining the necessary knowledge to understand, evaluate, and use information from digital sources in a responsible and effective way. We have to lean on our critical thinking and comprehension skills to navigate using digital content ethically and safely. 
• Digital skills are more specific and technical. They are part of our skill toolbox! These skills focus on the practical abilities required to operate digital devices and software (e.g. smartphones, Amazon tablets, iPads, and more!). These skills include tasks such as typing, using software applications, coding, and troubleshooting technical issues.  

While digital literacy and digital skills are closely related, they serve different purposes in the digital landscape. Digital literacy gives you the foundation to understand the broader context of digital interactions. This enables you to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly – with confidence! It encompasses the cognitive and social aspects of using technology, like recognizing credible sources, understanding digital footprints, and engaging in online communities in a respectful way. 

 Digital skills are practical tools. Think of digital skills as digital literacy in action. These skills give you the ability to perform specific tasks and functions within a digital environment. They are the hands-on abilities that enable you to create, communicate, and solve problems using technology.  

It is critical to identify the distinction between these terms. Collectively, both terms highlight the very broad and comprehensive nature of what we call digital literacy. By understanding both concepts, as a career coach, you can better prepare your students for the demands of the modern world, where technology is advancing at a very rapid pace.  

You can ensure students not only increase their proficiency in using technology but are also capable of thinking critically about the information they encounter and the impact of their digital actions.

Fostering both digital literacy and digital skills is essential for developing well-rounded, competent individuals who can thrive in an increasingly digital society. 

What Digital Literacy Looks Like in Learning Spaces 

Digital literacy manifests differently across various educational settings, but its core principles remain the same. 

Traditional Learning Spaces  

Think of a classroom with a single teacher providing instruction (e.g., public school or private school settings). Depending on the school type and accessibility to technology, digital literacy may focus on the responsible use of computers and tablets in the classroom to access educational software, conduct research, and complete assignments. Students in this setting would absolutely benefit from structured lessons on internet safety, digital citizenship, and the ethical use of technology. Teachers integrate digital tools into their curriculum, fostering an environment where students can develop essential skills like typing, coding, and online collaboration. 

Homeschool 

Homeschooling comes with a lot of flexibility for learning. Teachers (whether parents or teachers in microschool environments) can adopt a more flexible approach to digital literacy. They can tailor the use of technology to fit their child’s pace and create a highly personalized learning environment. Leaning on digital literacy in homeschooling environments might include reminding students how to use online educational platforms responsibly, ensuring all YouTube or sourced videos for learning are age-appropriate and reviewing the type of content used to teach children core subject matter through interactive learning apps.  

Virtual School 

Virtual learners, who primarily engage in online education, experience digital literacy as a fundamental part of their daily routine. Such students are fully immersed in a digital world, so they may have already received guidance on the safe and responsible use of technology before engaging in any school content.  For example, it is not uncommon for a virtual teacher to explain the Do’s and Don’ts of different components of a virtual classroom, like how to participate in online discussions, how to submit assignments, etc. Information explained this way to students is a great example of digital literacy in action.  

The Importance of Digital Literacy  

Digital literacy is a very broad concept to think about. It encompasses a range of skills. At the most basic level, digital literacy includes using basic computer skills to navigate the internet, understand digital content, and use such content responsibly (and safely). Here’s why digital literacy is essential for an elementary student’s future career: 

• Foundation for Future Learning: Digital literacy lays the groundwork for future learning. Remember, digital literacy is about strengthening key digital skills to communicate and operate safely in a technology-driven world. As technology continues to advance, students who are proficient in such digital skills will have a significant advantage in their education and career. Think of these students as powerful digital citizens.  
• Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Digital literacy encourages critical thinking and problem-solving skills. After all, the literacy part involves making informed decisions when it comes to source, using, and relying on digital content. Students learn to evaluate information, identify credible sources, and solve problems using digital tools. 
• Collaboration and Communication: Nowadays, what used to be group discussions in class are sometimes replaced with online forums, discussion boards, and chatbots. In such online spaces, staying digitally literate equips them with the skills to effectively communicate and collaborate with others using digital platforms. 
• Adaptability: The digital landscape is constantly changing. We are seeing this unfold with the rise of AI in education. Years ago, it was the rise of technology in education (e.g., using computers in schools and tablets in class). Students who are digitally literate are better equipped to adapt to new technologies and stay relevant in their careers. 

How To Foster Digital Literacy – At Home and In School  

Fostering digital literacy requires different approaches depending on whether you are a parent of a student or a teacher.  

• As a parent, you can create a tech-friendly home environment by providing access to age-appropriate digital devices and educational software. It is inevitable that students will explore games, scroll through apps, and occasionally surf Safari to learn something. Let’s place an emphasis on “inevitable” because at some point this will happen. Creating the opportunity to use these digital tools safely is a great way to foster digital literacy at home. Setting aside time for discussions about online safety, privacy, and responsible internet use is equally important. Modelling good digital habits by demonstrating how to use technology effectively and ethically is a great way to drive home key points you want to enforce when it comes to staying digitally literate. 
• Teachers, on the other hand, play a crucial role in integrating digital literacy into the classroom. This starts with providing a learning space where students can practice identifying and using their digital skills. Consider providing students with opportunities to practice digital skills through collaborative projects, research assignments, and presentations. The literacy component includes creating a safe and supportive digital learning environment, where students feel comfortable asking questions and experimenting with new technologies. Additionally, teachers can send home resources, tips, and other literary materials to help reinforce (at home) what is being taught in the classroom.  

Privacy and Online Safety 

Part of being (and staying) digitally literate includes educating yourself on what we call the core tenets of digital literacy – privacy, ethics, and bias. Most often, these three tenets are heavily discussed because this is where rules are established and policies are enacted in our digital world. Chances are, you have already seen a privacy policy before setting up that educational app for your student. You may have read an article in the news about ethical and bias issues with the use of educational AI technology tools. As students use educational technology tools and platforms, it’s essential to address concerns about privacy and online safety. That is our responsibility as career coaches. But to be responsibl,e we must first inform ourselves on such topics and have the confidence to share (accurate) information with students.  Here are some key points to consider: 

• Understanding Privacy: Teach students about the importance of privacy and how to protect their personal information online. It may be helpful to explain what a privacy policy means without getting into weeds with the content. Explain to students why such disclaimers exist and what they should still do to protect themselves when using digital tools. Additional examples include understanding privacy settings, recognizing phishing attempts, and avoiding sharing sensitive information. 
• Safe Online Behavior: Encourage safe online behavior by teaching students about the risks of cyberbullying, online predators, and inappropriate content. Cyberbullying is not restricted to online forums and text messaging. This also includes the prey behavior that happens from certain AI chatbots, which many students are vulnerable to. Emphasize the importance of reporting any suspicious or harmful activity. Encourage the creation of a safe space for students to communicate and share without any fear of judgment or repercussion.  
• Digital Footprint: Help students understand the concept of a digital footprint and how their online actions can have long-term consequences. In the age of AI, this can also extend to data mining when using such tools to source information. Data mining is the process of taking a large amount of data from different locations and using that to identify trends or patterns. Encourage them to think before they post, use a chatbot, and interact with virtual tools to maintain a positive online presence. 
•  Guardian Involvement: Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in ensuring their children’s online safety. Encourage open communication when it comes to online activities and use that information as an opportunity to offer sound guidance on safety in any digital space.