Digital literacy is important for students because it is like learning the controls of the digital world. STEP Schools believe learning is about being prepared for the future. Here, digital knowledge fulfils this purpose. Students at STEP Schools become smart and safe digital learners. This is so because we incorporate digital learning into our everyday teaching.
In this blog, we will explore digital literacy and the reasons behind its necessity for school students of the 21st century. Moreover, we will talk about how STEP Schools are implementing digital literacy in Pakistan.
What is Digital Literacy?
Digital Literacy is the basic knowledge or skill required to safely handle and operate technological tools and gadgets. It involves understanding how to use computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, or any other digital tools along with applications and the internet responsibly and safely.
Digital knowledge is not the same as knowledge of using social media or playing online or offline games. Digitally literate means having knowledge beyond basic. Some important components of computer literacy are:
- Digital devices like smartphones, computers, laptops, and tablets.
- It helps you to check the real facts about the content present online.
- Searching for information by using different tools to find facts.
- Computer literacy teaches you to be safe on the internet by giving knowledge about personal information protection and what things not to share publicly.
- Making videos, animations, presentations, graphics, etc., using technology.
- Online communication with people using emails and messages.
Importance of Digital Literacy for School Students
In this section, we will talk about the reasons behind the significance of computer literacy for students in schools.
Makes you a Better Learner
You become better at learning with digital literacy. Using digital tools makes learning easier and more fun. Students learn better by watching educational videos, practising math or English using educational apps, playing learning games, reading online stories, and joining online classes.
You are allowed to learn at your own speed using digital tools. Also, it helps you to implement this skill in your academics. Thus, it improves academic performance.
Prepares you for the Future
The Technological era is approaching. Future jobs demand digitally literate people who know how to use computers. You need digital skills whether you want to become a doctor, an engineer, an artist, or a businessman. Moreover, some computer-based jobs require typical digital knowledge to perform tasks.
With digital literacy learning, you will be able to use software, write professional emails, create reports, develop videos, and do online learning.
Keeps you Safe Online
Digital literacy also helps you to stay safe. Although the internet is a very useful thing but at the same time, it is very risky if you don’t have enough knowledge to use it accurately. Here, digital knowledge is a lifesaver because it guides you to use the internet in the correct way.
In this context, computer literacy helps you to avoid sharing your confidential information or passwords with anyone. It protects your safety and privacy. With sufficient technical knowledge, you will be able to perform online transactions and make privacy settings on apps.
Develops Critical Thinking Skills
Digital literacy develops critical thinking ability in you. You can learn to differentiate between real and fake websites. Also, it helps you to evaluate the facts correctly. Thus, you will become a smart learner and take the right decisions.
Builds Confidence and Creativity
Technological knowledge helps you to operate digital tools. These tools help you to perform different tasks both in school and in future jobs. In schools, digital literacy helps you to design school projects on computers, make videos or animations, write content, develop a website, and try coding.
You will be able to achieve a certain amount of appreciation from your family and friends. Thus, these activities build up your overall and academic confidence and also make you creative in your thinking and tasks.
Connects you with the World
Digital literacy helps you socialise with people worldwide. You can get information about diverse cultures, people, and ideas from all around the world. You can communicate with your friends and family and interact with them using different apps. These apps can only be operated with enough technological knowledge.
You can use it in daily life. It helps you take an online class with group video calls, watch videos from different countries, join groups to interact, make video calls or chat, and participate in online competitions. Thus, it makes learning exciting.
Digital Literacy at STEP Schools
STEP Schools understand the importance of digital knowledge for their students. That’s why they incorporate digital tools and learning into their classrooms using:
STEP E-Learning Portal
It is a smart digital platform for STEP schools. This E-learning program helps students to access lessons anytime and anywhere and watch helpful videos. Students communicate with their teachers online and complete their work under their guidance. Hence, students are getting training in computer literacy.
We also trained our teachers to use digital tools in classrooms with our Teachers Excellence Pursuit Programme (TEPP), which consists of three modules. To cover the areas important to 21st-century learning, we design the TEPP programme. Thus, STEP Schools use blended learning where students learn from digital tools and digitally trained teachers. This way of learning makes the students engaged and ready for the future.
ICT (Information and Communication Technology)
STEP Schools, from an early age, include Information and communication technology in their syllabus. It starts with basic concepts, but the content becomes more advanced as students’ progress to higher grades.
Students at STEP Schools learn about the working of computers with hands-on experience through our Project-Based Learning (PBL). They are given knowledge about internet safety and its usage. Moreover, STEAM education teaches basic coding to students, which increases their technical skills. Thus, providing them with real-world skills that they use again and again during their academics.
Take Admission in STEP Schools for Improved Digital Literacy
We shape future-ready learners at STEP Schools. They learn digital literacy with our strategy of blending digital tools with digitally trained teachers. Students at STEP are ready to explore the digital world in a safe and confident way with our well-equipped modern classrooms and digital programs like E-Learning portal, PBL, and STEAM.
Join the STEP Schools NOW! Empower your child with digital knowledge.
Final Thoughts
Digital literacy has now become an essential skill. This helps you to learn better, stay safe, and prepare for the future. STEP Schools helps students to become smart digital learners and creators with its E-Learning tools, STEAM education, and Project-Based learning (PBL). They are encouraged to question and grow using technology.