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to understand the various ways of navigating through the medium of DF.

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being aware of the implications in what you do online

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being aware of the implications in what you do online

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DF includes keeping yourself safe online

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DF includes keeping yourself safe online

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Being not only competent, but confident to use different digital platforms

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Being able to navigate any digital device and being able to use it effectively to complete tasks.

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Being able to manage unfamiliar technologies without fear

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be familiar with digital words. be able to use different functions

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be familiar with digital words. be able to use different functions

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vocabulary, icons, reference website for research

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DF is being familiar/ fluent and to confidently use technology and knowing which tools to use and how they're used

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DF is being familiar/ fluent and to confidently use technology and knowing which tools to use and how they're used

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Fluency - suggests ability is second nature or innate.

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Being able to use technology to help with different tasks and in different situations.

Navigate with confidence websites, apps and situations and experience to develop their understanding and knowledge.

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This

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Image by George Couros under CC

A recent announcement from Hon. Hekia Parata signalled that digital fluency will be a key focus for Ministry centrally-funded professional learning support in 2016 ( PLD Changes will lift student achievement, 23 Sept. 2015).

The value of growing digitally fluent learners was signalled in the Ministry report, Future Focused Learning in Connected Communities (2014) which asked that

"digital competencies be recognised as " essential foundation skills for success in 21st century society" and that they be supported by "cross-curriculum resources, a responsive assessment framework, professional development and a programme of evaluation."

'Digital fluency', as a phrase, does not occur specifically in the our various curricula (NZC, Te Marautanga, Te Whāriki) or in other oft-used touchstones for learning with digital technologies. However, the concepts behind it will be familiar to many educators already.

What is digital fluency?

'Fluency' derives from the word 'flow' and when we think about being 'fluent' in any context, it refers to being flexible, accurate, efficient, and appropriate. In other words, the way we use skills, language and speech flows naturally and easily. In a digital context for learning, fluency involves using technologies " readily and strategically to learn, to work, and to play, and the infusion of technology in teaching and learning to improve outcomes for all students"

Broadly speaking, digital fluency is a combination of:

digital, or technical, proficiency: able to understand, select and use the technologies and technological systems;

digital literacy: cognitive or intellectual competencies, which include being able to read, create, evaluate and make judgements and apply technical skills while doing so;

social competence, or dispositional knowledge: the ability to relate to others and communicate with them effectively.

It is helpful to think of fluency as showing wisdom and confidence in the application and use of digital technologies, as reflected in the diagram below (Wenmoth, 2015):

Internationally, there is currently no consistently held definition of digital fluency and at times it is used interchangeably by different jurisdictions. Other phrases appear to be used in its place such as ICT fluency; Digital literacies; Digital competence; Digital citizenship. We often see it broken down into lists and competencies. In some contexts, it is even defined as a separate set of competencies or curriculum (White, 2013).

"Fluency" is broader than "literacy."

Being 'digitally literate' means acquiring the skills to make and create meaning, and select technologies to do so. Being fluent requires competencies and capabilities that go beyond the skill level. Someone who is digitally fluent not only selects tools and knows what to do with them, but can explain why they work in the way they do and how they might adapt what they do if the context were to change.

For example, if you are literate, you might be able to follow instructions to set up a shared document online and use it for a clear purpose. If you are fluent, you can self-select from a range of tools to achieve the same outcome, navigate collaborative spaces effectively and confidently with other people.

Fluency represents the highest order - that of 'unconscious competence' - in the 'hierarchy of competence' that we see in models such as Burch:

Image source: Competence Hierarchy adapted from Noel Burch by Igor Kokcharov CC BY-SA 4.0

Digital fluency can also be considered as part of a broader set of competencies related to '21st century' learning. Being able to manipulate technologies so we can create and navigate information successfully is supported by our ability to work collaboratively, solve real-world problems creatively, pursue our own learning goals and so on.

Why we all need to be digitally fluent

Crucially, the outcome of being digitally fluent relates to issues of responsibility, equity and access. We all have the right to fully participate in a digitally-enabled education system and in an increasingly digitised society. If we work with fluency in the way we use technologies, we are able to keep ourselves safe online and take full advantage of life chance opportunities such as being able to apply for work, manage our finances, or be part of our local community).

In the years ahead, digital fluency will become a prerequisite for obtaining jobs, participating meaningfully in society, and learning throughout a lifetime. (Resnick, 2002, p. 33) [via ]"

As more services - health, civil, safety, even voting - move online, it has never been more important to ensure citizens are not disenfranchised from accessing services that are central to the well-being of all.

Questions to consider

1. What kinds of literacy learning opportunities are offered at your school, ECE centre or kura - and how do these deliberately teach the skills and competencies to navigate online spaces successfully?

2. Consider the competencies that you seek to develop with your learners: what do these look like when developed in digital contexts?

3. To what extent are learning areas explored in ways that invite higher-order engagement, problem-solving and authentic use of technologies? Are learners doing more than searching for information? Are they applying it in ways that are real and connected to the world around us?

Sources
With thanks to Derek Wenmoth for his contribution to this post.

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Image by George Couros under CC A recent announcement from Hon. Hekia Parata signalled that digital fluency will be a key focus for Ministry centrally-funded professional learning support in 2016 ( PLD Changes will lift student achievement, 23 Sept. 2015).

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Understanding and implementing tasks online

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Tools - knowing which ones to access - when, how.
Limitations - in terms of fluency, we want as few obstacles when using technology.