WHAT ARE DIGITAL LITERACIES?

Digital literacies are the individual's capabilities to be able to effectively and responsibly function and perform in a digital society. The term 'digital literacy' was coined by Paul Gilster in 1997 and it came from the discussion of the concepts on (a) visual literacy when images and non-verbal symbols try to capture the knowledge; (b) technological literacy requiring one to be able to use technology in addressing a need; (c) computer literacy, which in the 1980s started to become a household item manipulated to achieve one's target; and (d) information literacy which refers to the finding, evaluating, using and sharing of information. In the teaching and learning context, digital literacy is an important competence. In school, it has become a buzzword which refers to the ability to access, process, understand, utilize, create media content using information technologies and the internet (Hsieh, 2012). Study the varied digital literacies discussed below.

The Digital Literacies:

Media Literacy - is one's ability to critically read information or content and utilize multimedia in creatively producing communications.

Information Literacy - is locating information from the web and interpreting while evaluating its validity in order that it can be shared.

ICT Literacy - is knowing how to select and use digital devices, applications or services to accomplish tasks requiring the use of the internet.

Communications and Collaboration - are one's capabilities in being able to participate in the digital networks in the teaching and learning context.

Identity Management - is being able to understand how to ensure safety and security in managing online identity and foster a positive digital reputation.

Learning Skills - are ways of knowing how to study and learn in a technology-enriched environment; this is knowing how to utilize technology in addressing the need to learn efficiently.

Digital Scholarship - is being able to link and participate in professional and research practices.