Technology Literacy

Technology literacy is a term used to describe an individual’s ability to assess, acquire and communicate information in a fully digital environment. Students who possess technology literacy are able to easily utilize a variety of digital devices (such as computers, smartphones, tablets) and interfaces (such as e-mail, internet, social media, cloud computing) to communicate, troubleshoot and problem solve in both academic and non-academic surroundings. Technological literacy skills include:

Basic digital skills (understanding software)
Information literacy (effectively using data from varying sources)
Content creation (crafting digital content including videos)
Communication (effectively using tools for communicating)
Security awareness (upholding cybersecurity best practices to protect data)
Critical thinking (applying logic and reasoning to make informed decisions)
Adaptability (staying up-to-date on new technologies)

Technology literacy refers to a familiarity with digital information and devices, increasingly essential in a modern learning environment. Technology literacy is similar to digital literacy, in that an individual who is technologically or digitally literate is well-versed in thinking critically and communicating by utilizing technology. These individuals understand how to consume, create, authenticate and share digital content, and can easily adapt to new technologies. Technology literacy, information literacy and media literacy come with distinct differences. Technological literacy focuses on the practical use and application of technology tools, where the main skills required are computational skills. Information literacy focuses on finding and assessing the quality of information, where the main skills required are research skills, critical thinking and ethically evaluating data. Finally, media literacy focuses on the interpretation and creation of media content, where the main skills used are analysis and identifying bias in messaging.

Technology literacy has gained increasing importance in our digital-savvy society. The benefits of technological literacy include: a) prevents overuse of technology (avoid addition and isolation), b) improves decision making (ensuring it’s easier to problem solve and stay informed), c) supports a modern workforce (keeps employees connected), d) combats misinformation (prevents the spread of misinformation), e) enhances digital skills (easily navigate and solve problems in a tech-driven world), f) boosts student engagement (plays into learners’ comfort and proficiency using technology) and g) addresses privacy concerns (prevents against malicious activities like phishing and fake news). There are also several cons to technological literacy. These include: a) over relying on technology for information, b) being exposed to greater risk of data breaches or cyber attacks, c) having unequal access to technology due to the digital divide, d) reduced social interaction with minimal face-to-face encounters and e) increased ethical concerns around data privacy and surveillance.

Technology literacy is a skill that is required of any student in the twenty-first century. Examples of technological literacy include:

Using productivity software including Microsoft Office (skills required: using formulas and functions, collaborating with others)
Navigating search engines (skills required: conducting effective keyword searches and evaluating the credibility of sources)
Social media management (skills required: engaging with social audiences and analyzing engagement metrics)
Email communication (skills required: composing emails and identifying phishing emails)
Online collaboration (skills required: tracking project timelines and sharing files)
Coding and programming (skills required: writing and debugging code and deploying websites and applications)