Digital literary and fluency are terms that are often used interchangeably, but there are subtle differences. According to Christian Briggs and Kevin Makice, two early advocates of the concept of digital fluency and the authors of Digital Fluency: Building Success in the Digital Age, both digital literacy and digital fluency involve the ability to use technology to achieve a desired outcome.
A digitally literate person knows how to use technologies and what to do with them, but the outcome is less likely to match their intention. It is not until that person reaches a level of fluency that they are comfortable with when to use the tools to achieve the desired outcome, and even why the tools they are using are likely to have the desired outcome period.
True digital fluency may incorporate having an understanding of the overall digital landscape, and being able to appropriately and confidently select a technology to solve a given business problem. Digitally fluent individuals are often effective communicators and are competent at pushing forward implementations and encouraging adoption.
Why Digital Fluency Matters for Everyone
Per the CORE Education blog, digital fluency is a crucial 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, and pursue our own learning goals. Given this broad application, everyone working in a professional capacity today may benefit from achieving digital fluency, and educational institutions and organizations alike may wish to take steps to facilitate skill acquisition.
For more where this came from, check out the DeVryWORKS site.
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