Digital Literacy
Digital literacy means having the skills you need to live, learn, and work in a society where communication and access to information is increasingly through digital technologies like internet platforms, social media, and mobile devices.
Digital Literacy Framework
The Australian Digital Capability Framework is a tool to improve and identify generic digital capability requirements in different occupations.
> |
The Australian Digital Capability Framework organises 21 components of digital capability into five digital focus areas. It describes how these capabilities are demonstrated at different proficiency levels.
| 1.1 Search, browse, and filter information | To understand the purpose, required content, and methods for the search. Search effectively for content, navigate between various resources, and apply, maintain and improve personal search strategies |
| 1.2 Verify information and data | To analyse, compare and critically evaluate the credibility and reliability of sources of data, information and digital content. To analyse, interpret and critically evaluate the data, information and digital content |
| 1.3 Manage data and information | To manage, organise, store and retrieve data, information and content in digital environments. To organise and process them in a secure and structured environment for accessibility, for as long as it is needed |
| 2.1 Digital communication | To interact through a variety of digital technologies and to understand appropriate digital communication means for a given context |
| 2.2 Digital sharing | To share data, information and digital content with others through appropriate digital technologies. To act as an intermediary, to know about referencing and attribution practices |
| 2.3 Digital engagement | To participate in education, workplace and society through the use of public and private digital services. To seek opportunities for self-empowerment and contribution through participation using appropriate digital technologies |
| 2.4 Digital collaboration | To use digital tools and technologies for collaborative processes, and for co-construction and co-creation of resources and knowledge |
| 2.5 Digital conduct | To be aware of appropriate behaviour while using digital technologies and interacting in digital environments. To adapt communication strategies to the specific audience and to be aware of cultural and generational diversity in digital environments |
| 2.6 Digital identity | To create and manage one or multiple digital identities, to understand how digital identities are used and how to manage and protect them |
| 3.1 Develop digital content | To create and edit original digital content in different formats, to express oneself through digital means |
| 3.2 Integrate and modify digital content | To modify, refine, improve and integrate information and content into an existing body of knowledge to create new, original and relevant content and knowledge |
| 3.3 Digital Copyright and licences | To understand how copyright, subscriptions and licences apply to data, information and digital content |
| 3.4 Create instructions for computers | To plan and encode computable logic to solve a given problem or perform a specific task |
| 4.1 Protect devices | To protect devices and digital content, and to understand risks and threats in physical environments and digital environments. To know about safety and security measures and to have due regard to reliability and privacy |
| 4.2 Protect information and privacy | To protect organisational and personal data, confidentiality and privacy in digital environments. To understand how to use and share identifiable information while being able to protect oneself, others and organisations from damage. To understand confidentiality and privacy statements and how confidential and personal information is used in a digital environment |
| 4.3 Protect health and wellbeing | To identify and avoid health-risks and threats to physical and psychological wellbeing while using digital technologies. To protect oneself and others from possible dangers in digital environments (e.g. cyber bullying). To be aware of digital technologies for well-being and social inclusion |
| 4.4 Protect the environment | To identify and be aware of environmental impacts of digital technologies and their use. This includes knowledge of cloud and local energy consumption, disposal, energy consumption in systems development, whether obsolescence is designed in (circular economy). Using digital tools to learn about looking after the environment, and using them to drive reduced waste and circular economy. Creating material for or publicising positive environmental actions using digital means |
| 5.1 Manage devices and resolve problems | To identify and resolve technical problems when operating digital devices and using digital environments (from troubleshooting to solving more complex problems) |
| 5.2 Operate digital devices and tools | Choosing, using and configuring digital systems for equipment, machinery, devices, online tools. To adjust and customise digital environments to task or customer requirements for access and use |
| 5.3 Innovate with digital tools | To use digital tools and technologies to create knowledge, and to innovate processes and products. To engage individually and collectively to understand and resolve conceptual problems and problem situations in digital environments |
| 5.4 Learning and self-development | To identify personal digital capability gaps and use learning and development opportunities to close them. To support others to improve or upskill with their digital capability development |
Research & Key Organisations
Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) - Digital Literacy: What Does the Research Say?
With education moving to remote teaching can we assume that younger students - often dubbed 'digital natives' - have the skills they need to succeed online?
Australian Digital Inclusion Index
Digital inclusion is about ensuring that all Australians can access and use digital technologies effectively. The Australian Digital Inclusion Index uses survey data to measure digital inclusion across three dimensions: Access, Affordability, and Digital Ability.
Want to know more? Try our "What is digital literacy?" activity on the Learning Lounge
Teaching Resources
Education World - Ten Digital Literacy Resources for Teachers
As educators it is crucial to share with students how to be safe with what they say on the internet, and what they select as sources. Education World has gathered a list of ten resources educators can use when teaching digital literacy in the classroom.
