Developing and Using Digital Literacy Standards

Lately I've noticed a renewed interest in digital literacy standards in the adult education and literacy fields. Digital Literacy is not new and has been integrated successfully in many kinds of instruction for the very young, high school and post-secondary education, and continuing education. In adult education, it seems the talk of digital literacy has come and gone, but it is back as folks recognize that, to help our adult learners transition to post-secondary education or training and the world of work, we must help them understand and develop the skills necessary to function in a knowledge-based, digital society.

I've started collecting information about Digital Literacy initiatives, which is currently a topic on NIFL's Technology discussion list.

For years, we've known about the International Society for Technology in Education's Educational Technology Standards for Students.

California has implemented a new Digital Literacy Initiative. This state defines Digital Literacy as "using digital technology, communications tools, and/or networks to access, manage, integrate, evaluate, create and communicate information in order to function in a knowledge society." Check out the state's Assessments and Curriculum Framework online.

The American Association of School Librarians have been using Standards for the 21st Century Learner for sometime now. These standards recognize the importance of strong digital literacy skills in the acquisition and use of information and resources. AASL maintains that its long-time emphasis on information literacy has been expanded to include many additional literacies, including digital, visual, textual, and technological (all crucial 21st century skills).

The AASL also notes that learning has a social context and, as such, "is enhanced by opportunities to share and learn with others." Sound familiar?