Digital literacy: Preparing students for a tech-savvy future

Digital technologies have become increasingly central to life, creating the need to teach students essential digital literacy skills to thrive both academically and professionally. This blog focuses on preparing students for a tech-centric future through effective digital literacy education. We will cover key aspects such as why digital literacy matters for tech-savvy students, strategies for digital literacy education, resources for teachers, assessment and evaluation methods, and real-world examples of successful programs.

What is digital literacy?

Digital literacy involves using technology to learn, create, and participate in the digital world. Essential skills connected to digital literacy include collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity. These skills are crucial for students to navigate and leverage technology effectively in both classroom settings and their everyday lives.¹

Rapid changes in today's job market underscore the importance of digital literacy in preparing students for future careers. In 2020, the World Economic Forum estimated that 85 million jobs could be displaced by 2025, while the shift in the division of labor between humans and machines would create 97 million new roles.² The pace of change will continue to accelerate, highlighting the need for students to develop strong digital skills to support them throughout their education and careers.

Why digital literacy matters for tech-savvy students

Digital literacy education fosters critical thinking, responsible digital citizenship, technology skills, and career preparedness among students. It equips students with the skills necessary to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate digital content, enabling them to make informed decisions and solve problems both academically and in everyday life.³

Additionally, digital literacy includes teaching students vital digital citizenship skills such as practicing online safety, safeguarding their privacy, communicating effectively, and understanding the risks of cyberbullying, which prepares them to navigate the digital world responsibly.^4,5

Finally, digital literacy equips students with essential skills like typing, file management, digital collaboration, and basic coding, which are crucial for success in college and future careers. These foundational skills also help students adapt and learn new technologies as they evolve, ensuring they remain future-ready in a tech-driven world.⁶

Strategies for digital literacy education

Effective classroom technology integration fosters student engagement and promotes a student-centered, project-based learning environment. It involves a shift in teaching dynamics where students, guided by teachers, use technology thoughtfully to improve learning. Key considerations include mastering basic digital skills, setting realistic integration goals, and managing shared resources efficiently. Collaborative learning platforms include everything from interactive software and multimedia platforms to web and app-based online tools that help teachers create dynamic, engaging lessons and enhance digital literacy. Because different schools have different levels of resourcing, teachers must adapt their integration strategy to suit their situation and educational goals.⁷

Several integration frameworks are available for educators. The Triple E Framework emphasizes the effectiveness of technology in achieving learning goals through Engagement, Enhancement, and Extension. This framework focuses on how well the technology facilitates student engagement, improves understanding, and extends learning opportunities. It underscores the importance of combining instructional strategies with technology to ensure purposeful and effective learning experiences rather than focusing solely on the type of technology used. Some other frameworks you may be familiar with include SAMR, ADDIE, TIM, TPACK, and RAT.⁸

How project-based learning supports skill development

Technology-supported project-based learning (PBL) offers students authentic, real-world experiences that integrate both content and skills. This approach enhances fundamental skills like reading, writing, and math while fostering 21st-century skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and using high-tech tools. Teachers can seamlessly integrate technology with real-world issues and the curriculum, facilitating student discovery and guiding the process from initial design to conclusion. Overall, PBL encourages students to become independent workers, critical thinkers, and lifelong learners, preparing them for future challenges. Additionally, PBL provides teachers with multiple opportunities to assess and offer feedback, while students gain numerous chances to demonstrate their skills and progress.^{9, 10}

What digital skills do students need?

Digital literacy curriculum should encompass basic computer literacy, advanced skills, and fostering digital creativity. Your students' existing competencies and grade levels will help determine how you teach digital literacy.

Basic digital skills include typing, file management, and using productivity software. Students should also learn how to write emails, save files, and use search engines effectively.

Advanced digital skills involve coding, data analysis, and cybersecurity. Educators can help students practice analyzing sources, discerning credible information, and using digital tools to collaborate on complex projects. As cyberattacks become more sophisticated, students need to learn online safety practices, including how to protect their personal information, recognize legitimate websites, and avoid phishing attempts.

Digital creativity refers to helping students use technology for digital storytelling, graphic design, and multimedia projects. These activities help students express themselves and develop creative thinking skills indispensable for future success.^{11, 12}

Creating future-ready students

In the ever-evolving technology landscape, it's essential for students to develop resilience and perseverance by adopting a growth mindset, which emphasizes that intelligence can be developed and success achieved through effort and lifelong learning. Teachers play a pivotal role in modeling lifelong learning behaviors and encouraging students to embrace challenges and continuously develop their skills.

Students will need to be adaptable and flexible to keep up with changing technologies. By fostering these qualities, educators can help students stay current with new tools and innovations, ensuring they remain competitive and proficient in a rapidly evolving digital world.^{13, 14}

Further, helping students develop an understanding and respect for diverse perspectives will support their ability to work effectively with peers from different cultural backgrounds. Integrating technology education with a curriculum that develops global competence and citizenship helps prepare students to thrive in a connected global economy.

Resources for digital literacy education

You can find support for your digital literacy education work in online learning platforms and through professional development opportunities and strategies for community collaboration.

Online learning platforms

You may already be familiar with three key tools for teaching digital literacy. Khan Academy and Code.org offer robust curriculum and teacher training resources, while Google Classroom provides a strong digital foundation for managing the classroom.

Khan Academy

Khan Academy's digital literacy resources cover a broad spectrum of topics, for both learners and educators. Resources for learners span foundational digital topics, social media and AI. Resources for teachers include AI for education training and teaching strategies, and an AI-powered teaching assistant. The resources are free, accessible and engaging, and just part of Khan Academy's extensive free educational offerings.

Code.org

Code.org is primarily focused on computer science education and integrates strong elements of digital literacy within its resources for both K-12 learners and their teachers. Curriculum offerings align with various curriculum standards and range from essential digital literacy skills to digital citizenship. Interactive platforms for students in grades 4-12 allow them to create their own digital projects while learning problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Code.org offers equally robust resources for teachers, and most of the resources are free.

Google Classroom

Google Classroom is primarily a classroom management tool that also offers support for developing digital literacy skills. Through interactions with the suite of digital tools, students build a strong foundation for future technology use. The platform offers teachers the ability to create and share various digital resources, provide timely feedback on student work and use classroom data to monitor student progress and inform their instructional plans. Seamless integration with Google Suite also helps streamline classroom management.

Other Online Resources

In addition to these three resources, another trio of online educational resources, the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), Edutopia, and Commonsense, regularly publish information to help teachers keep up with developments surrounding technology in education.

Professional Development for Educators

Ongoing professional development can help you develop your own digital literacy skills, including data analysis, and stay current on the latest educational technology. This supports your ability to understand student needs better and adapt teaching methods for improved outcomes.

Community and Parental Involvement

Encourage two-way communication and collaboration with parents by providing clear, jargon-free explanations of classroom technology and creating channels for ongoing dialogue. This approach helps families understand what makes digital literacy important and support their students' digital literacy at home.

Assessment and Evaluation

Giving your students frequent feedback and guidance is important for developing both their technical skills and their resilience. The methods of assessing and evaluating student's digital literacy are as varied as the ways that you can use technology in the classroom. Thinking about the assessment when you're designing your lesson plans will help you with measuring outcomes. Khan Academy and Code.org both offer some limited assessment and evaluation tools, and the other online resources mentioned can provide advice and inspiration. The Institute of Education Sciences and the Office of Educational Technology within the U.S. Department of Education also offer a wealth of resources for teaching and assessing digital literacy.^{15, 16}

Project-based learning and real-world digital literacy

At Stony Brook School in Westford, Massachusetts, about 40 sixth graders have been engaged in technology-supported, project-based learning for nearly two years. This approach integrates science, math, history, and language arts, challenging students to master multiple subjects through collaborative, real-world assignments that support digital literacy.

The program has shown promising results, with students showing improved engagement, fewer absences, and deeper learning. Teachers report that students independently pursue knowledge and produce high-quality work when given real-world applications for their projects. Stony Brook is a wealthy district and project-based learning is also effective in less affluent schools. The non-profit Hechinger Report, which profiled this project, publishes information on a variety of educational topics.¹⁷

Train tech-savvy students with Iowa's Online MATLCC

Digital literacy is essential for students to thrive in a tech-centric world. Equipping students with digital skills prepares them for academic and career success, helping them effectively navigate the complexities of the digital age. But to support the long-term benefits of digital literacy, teachers also need comprehensive training in tools and methods. The Online MA in Teaching, Leadership, and Cultural Competency (MATLCC) at the University of Iowa equips you with the skills to support all learners. The MATLCC curriculum provides conceptual frameworks and pedagogical tools to address today’s educational issues, and includes electives relevant to your career path. Learn more about the program by scheduling a call with an admissions outreach advisor.