Digital Literacy

A must-have in today’s world

 What is Digital Literacy?
“Literacy” – It is the ability to read and write
“Digital (Technology)” – Creation, Processing
and Dissemination of information through
digital means

Digital Literacy is an individual’s ability to find,

evaluate, produce and communicate clear
information on digital platforms through digital
devices.
 Digital Literacy – from 30000 feet
In today’s world, digital literacy is typically the skills needed to use the
internet using various applications and platforms.
Sub-groups of Digital Literacy

Computer Literacy
Network Literacy
Information Literacy
Social Media Literacy
 How important is Digital Literacy?
Keeping in touch with friends & families in today’s ever-
increasing busy world
Accessing online products and services
Knowledge on fingertips – for students, researchers,
professionals alike
Employers looking for digitally-savvy candidates as workplaces
as well as business grow digital every day
Online payment & fund transfers are gaining popularity as these
are efficient and faster than paperwork and cash transactions
 Making the population digitally literate…
 Formal education must make digital literacy a part of it
 Children must be introduced to digital literacy at an early stage
 Involvement of parents is a must, too
 Instill the value of digital literacy among children and parents
alike
 Schools must digitize their libraries, use digital teaching aids
and must constantly upgrade their infrastructure for a
seamless, fruitful digital learning environment
 State of Digital Literacy in India
Second fastest-growing mobile market in India, yet far behind in
digital literacy, because:

Lack of reasonable internet connectivity in rural India

Inability to afford smartphone by a large chunk of the population
Lack of awareness
Security concerns especially related to online transactions
Efforts are being made to make India digitally literate:

The Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan

(PMGDISHA) – Started in 2017, has achieved only 19% of its
target till date

National Digital Literacy Mission – An initiative by NASSCOM to

make at least one person in every household digitally literate by
2020
 Total number of mobile internet users in India from June 2012 to June
2016 (in millions)

Source: https://www.statista.com/statistics/490691/mobile-internet-users-total-number-india/
 Digital Literacy is not optional…
In this “always-on, always-connected”
world, lack of digital literacy can
paralyse a person’s
Ability to access products and services
Ability to find jobs
Ability to make monetary transactions
Ability to complete assignments or
deliverables in academics or at work
Conclusion
As noted by Aviram & Eshet-Alkalai (2006), “the digital era is not going to
disappear, and the need for education to respond to the growing digital tide is
rapidly increasing”.
To prepare students for the 21st century workplace, curricula must focus on the acquisition of
digital competence by applying skills to real-life situations wherever possible. In addition,
teachers should model appropriate technology use during lesson delivery and provide students
with opportunities to use technology on a regular basis. A digitally literate workforce is
necessary if a country has to improve its productivity and successfully compete on the world
stage.
Thank
You!
References:
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_literacy
• https://www.bcs.org/category/17856
• https://www.irex.org/insight/growing-importance-digital-
literacy
• https://indianexpress.com/article/india/aiming-to-cover-3-
crore-people-digital-literacy-scheme-covers-57-lakh-pm-modi-
5208856/
• https://nasscomfoundation.org/get-engaged/ndlm.html