What do high schoolers today do to compete in tomorrow’s labor market success as an adult?

Part 3- Information, Media and Technology Skills (Digital Literacy)

V R JAYAPRASAD

Abstract

While the current global industrial revolution starting to contend with the challenges of automation and innovation; digital literacy, internet connectivity, life-long learning, and computer-based applications are important for the new model of education. Highly skilled workforce capable of designing new products and enhancing competitiveness in the global market creating unprecedented opportunities amplified by the convergence of digital technologies.

Introduction

Using technology such as virtual simulation, games, collaboration and social media tools to provide real-world learning experiences can help learners develop their employability skills. Space where technology and teaching meet has become one of the most dynamic parts of education, especially for students and teachers.

Students now learn in a world of an unlimited source of information where they can imagine, examine and reflect on the skills required for futuristic job opportunities. In this article (Part 3 of ‘What do high schoolers today do to compete…..) I refer to the challenges of teaching in the digital age, discussing the pedagogical changes for helping students to make vital practical skills required for the futuristic opportunities.

21st-century Digital Literacy

Digital literacy can be referred to as the ability to find, evaluate, and compose clear information on various digital platforms. Initially, it focused on computers, the advent of the Internet and the use of social media, which has caused some of its focus to shift to mobile devices. Now digital literacy is an unavoidable tool in the classroom to understand and use information in multiple formats from a wide range of sources.

Here is some transformative technology in the classroom skills required of the digitally literate students.

Information literacy is the ability to consume information, process the said information and allocate it appropriately. It helps students to locate, evaluate and use information in various formats. It is important for today’s learners that promote problem-solving approaches and thinking skills – asking questions and seeking answers, finding information, forming opinions, evaluating sources, and making decisions. It creates successful learners, effective contributors, confident individuals, and responsible citizens.

Media literacy is the ability to access resources, analyze resources and content, synthesize information, communicate findings, and, even create artifacts. The polarization of news sources, the advent of fake news, and the broad mechanisms to disseminate these slanted and false media have made media literacy even more relevant and necessary today.

Technology literacy is the ability to effectively use technology to access, evaluate, integrate, create and communicate information to enhance the learning process. According to a recent World Economic Forum report, nearly a third of the most important skillsets in 2025 will be comprised of technology skills not yet considered imperative to the job today. The major modern technologies like, nanotechnology, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, 3D printing, etc., provides a new generation of information and communication technologies that will have a large impact on our society

Digital Literacy in the classroom

The ultimate goal of any country is to provide students with the best possible education by using the most effective methods available. A wider range of technologies advised being prepared for in a school environment. The following tips help educators to develop digital literacy among students.

Focus on the curriculum. The best way to teach digital literacy is to figure out what that means to a particular discipline. For example, English teachers can use blogging to advance digital literacy while social science teachers can present their class with real-world problems and encourage pupils to use their computational skills to come up with solutions.

Pedagogical strategy. The new pedagogical methods -such as collaborative learning, student-led learning, and flipped classrooms are helping teachers to instill deep learning among students. Project-based learning, experiential learning, and Inquiry-based learning are supporting digital literacy.

Online learning. Consider using educational software such as Google Edu, Kahn’s Academy, etc., to help pupils become engaged in the art of learning online.

Digital innovators. In any school, there are digital innovators. Harness their passion and knowledge by creating a digital literacy focus group to help drive and inspire change, while increasing awareness of digital literacies across your school.

Current Events Using Social Media: teach students how to use social media to discuss current events and share their views with a larger audience in a responsible manner. YouTube, WeChat, Instagram, Twitter, Telegram, Linked In, etc. are some of the social media students can share their ideas.

E-portfolio. Students learn how to use recording tools, edit video files, and upload files to their school web servers/ or blogs, so they develop valuable digital literacy skills while having fun. E-portfolios allow students to keep their file of events and achievements in their school life and how they have progressed.

Create a Class Wiki: More and more classrooms are now learning, creating, reading, and testing online. In order to keep up with our technologically demanding lifestyles, the modern classroom is making innovative tools like the wiki. Not only is this an inexpensive way to manage your classroom, but it’s also a fun way to engage students in content across the curriculum.

Incorporating wiki into the classroom provides a very different kind of online experience for your students. By giving students more control over a project’s outcome, you are encouraging them to be producers, rather than just consumers, of information. This reversal of roles ultimately helps students master content.

Podcasting: A podcast is a type of digital media recorded by students and uploaded to iTunes. Students record classroom activities, edit the audio and video files, and upload the files for digital distribution, which helps them develop digital literacy. These are scripted non-fiction shows that focus on teaching their audience. Examples: Stuff You Should Know, Hidden Brain, and TED radio hour.

Artificial Intelligence

AI tech will play a vital role in the development of education in the nearest future. With the continual research and improvement of machine learning and intelligence, educational systems will experience tremendous improvement. Students will be able to learn new things in a much better way with advanced tutor apps. When fully developed, such apps can become education mentors for students and provide engaging learning aid and opportunities.

Workforce /career readiness Report card

As part of any strategic plan to move forward, the school can introduce a workforce/career readiness report card to assess the current condition and track the progress of students in each area of 21st-century skills. It includes data and statistics the students’ community can use to track its progress and assess its educational strengths and weaknesses. In addition, the Report Card contains information that highlights the value of pursuing higher education as a means to improve one’s quality of life.

Conclusion

Preparing tomorrow’s workforce is most important in the information society where the labor market will be filled with self-employed contractors. So the schools prepare the students for work and business through a dynamic pedagogy more focused on skills than content. Today education is a space where technology and teaching meet to become one of the most dynamic parts of both teaching and learning.

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