Future Research for a New Found Passion

Focusing on Digital Literacies for Producing Digital Citizens

Building an Interest

Throughout the process of obtaining my Masters of Education degree, with a focus on Educational Integration of Technology, I have found a passion for better understanding on the issue of digital citizenship and the importance of characteristics within it such as digital literacy. I now have the opportunity to conduct thorough research on this topic as my interest has continually grown in this area.

The Rise of ICT

The era we live in now, known as the digital age, has seen a rise in information and communications technology (ICT), which allows for people to interact with accessible information in a multitude of ways. This is a change from when those with only radios or televisions could only passively receive information. “Information processing has been transformed from being passive receivers to active information processors, who must engage, construct, respond, and act with information,” (Simsek and Simsek, 2013). Through the use of digital tools, people have become users where people can share information or content through a variety of media forms, allowing users to become creators. Providing students with the fundamental digital literacies needed will allow the development of success in the digital world while being fully engaged in technology learning. “Using digital tools is increasing, the primary requirement for individuals is to use ICT effectively not only for entertainment but also searching for and sharing information, communication, access, law and consumption,” (Isman and Gungoren, 2014).

The Guidance of Characteristics

At this point in time most users cannot distinguish between information such as an advertisement and a news article, or determine whether or not a source of information is legitimate. Being able to discern between actual news sources and fake accounts is just one of the literacies needed in the production of responsible digital citizenship. “Digital citizens must have some characteristics such as understanding human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior; advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology; exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity; demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning; and exhibit leadership for digital citizenship,” (Ribble, 2008).

The Need

There is a need for digital literacy to become an everyday part of people’s lives and student’s learning experiences. Companies are now requiring skills such as digital literacy in their employment processes as it is becoming a more foundational tool in successful learning, as it is often correlated with productivity. The skills needed for the creation of responsible digital citizens have a need for being integrated into all levels of instruction for learners, and I believe that this topic deserves future research.

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References

Ribble, M. (2008). Passport to digital citizenship: Journey toward appropriate technology use at school and at home. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-leading/issues/december-january- 2008-2009/passport-to-digital-citizenship

Isman, A., Canan Gungoren, O., & Sakarya University, Faculty of Education. (2014, January). Digital Citizenship. The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology, 13(1), 73–77.

Simsek, E., & Simsek, A. (2013). New Literacies for Digital Citizenship. Contemporary Educational Technology, 4(2), 126–137.