What is Digital Literacy?
According to the The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA):
“Digital literacy” and “digital literacy training” mean many things to many people, from smartphone apps and Facebook for beginners to advanced coding and network management for career seekers. Local digital inclusion programs operate training programs that run the gamut of these topics. Basic digital literacy training generally includes at least the following elements:
Additional digital literacy education can center on specific applications (e.g., word processing, spreadsheets, graphics), specific domains of interest (e.g., health care or financial management) or development of job skills (e.g., warehouse management, spreadsheets) and certifications (e.g., hardware or software). Note that these may impose software and/or hardware requirements on your training lab.
Often, people seeking digital literacy are interested in solving a particular problem. Others may approach it from a more general desire to learn what computers and the internet are all about. In the first case, this motivation may be used to provide the student with general skills to address their immediate need as well as further explorations of areas of interest. In the second, it can be useful to identify specific applications that capture their interest to provide a sense of accomplishment as they acquire these skills."
“Digital literacy” and “digital literacy training” mean many things to many people, from smartphone apps and Facebook for beginners to advanced coding and network management for career seekers. Local digital inclusion programs operate training programs that run the gamut of these topics. Basic digital literacy training generally includes at least the following elements:
- Components of a computer
- Mouse and keyboard use as well as usually some keyboarding
- Using an internet browser
- Creating and using an email account
- Basics of word processing
- Privacy, security and data protection
- Finding trusted sources for additional learning
- A set of instructional videos found online or created by your organization to assist asynchronous learners
Additional digital literacy education can center on specific applications (e.g., word processing, spreadsheets, graphics), specific domains of interest (e.g., health care or financial management) or development of job skills (e.g., warehouse management, spreadsheets) and certifications (e.g., hardware or software). Note that these may impose software and/or hardware requirements on your training lab.
Often, people seeking digital literacy are interested in solving a particular problem. Others may approach it from a more general desire to learn what computers and the internet are all about. In the first case, this motivation may be used to provide the student with general skills to address their immediate need as well as further explorations of areas of interest. In the second, it can be useful to identify specific applications that capture their interest to provide a sense of accomplishment as they acquire these skills."
Free Digital Skills Training Materials
If you need curriculum ideas and materials for any of these purposes, there are many free sources. Here are some places to start:
Public Library Association - Digital Learn
WebJunction - Digital Literacy Pathway
Goodwill Community Foundation - Learn Free
Mozilla Foundation - Web Literacy
Techboomers - Tech Boomers
Tech Goes Home - Tech Goes Home
Community Tech Network - Home Connect
Google - Applied Digital Skills
Cyber Seniors - Cyber Seniors
AARP - AARP
Chicago Public Library - Digital Learn
Denver Public Library - Community Technology Center
New York Public Library TechConnect
WebJunction - Digital Literacy Pathway
Goodwill Community Foundation - Learn Free
Mozilla Foundation - Web Literacy
Techboomers - Tech Boomers
Tech Goes Home - Tech Goes Home
Community Tech Network - Home Connect
Google - Applied Digital Skills
Cyber Seniors - Cyber Seniors
AARP - AARP
Chicago Public Library - Digital Learn
Denver Public Library - Community Technology Center
New York Public Library TechConnect
