Literacy for those on the wrong side of the digital divide

• The UN global digital compact ensures that digital technologies are used responsibly and for the benefit of all. Digital literacy is essential because: 1. Modern society increasingly relies on e-work, e-commerce, e-government, digital communication and e-social networks used by digitally literate citizens. 2. Quality of life depends on being able to choose, buy and operate digital devices for daily living. 3. Those unfamiliar with the rapidly evolving technology are victims of disinformation, scams or exclusion. According to Statistics Canada, 25% of Canadians are either non-users or basic users. Those in digital poverty include the poor, unemployed, poorly educated, immigrants, older workers and retired Canadians. There is a cost to society if the entire population is not digitally literate. Those that are not literate reduce the average population digital literacy skill level, which would slow progress reliant on digital-rich economic and social endeavours. Digital equity is essential.Daily life includes use of digital technology and learning to use new technologies. The average daily screen use of an average American is 7 hours and 4 minutes. New technologies are introduced very rapidly, but there are no means to ensure digital literacy for all. People can learn about new technologies at school or work, but digital poor do not have the same advantages. Learning about new technologies is dependent on familiarity with earlier technologies, key boarding, screen use and digital logic skills in addition to access to information and knowledge through the internet. How will they learn to use Artificial intelligence- AI? Currently, self-directed learning and problem based questions to a knowledgeable person are the primary strategies for gaining digital literacy. This situation is worsened because of the need for expensive digital equipment, service contracts for internet services, remote learning, on-line tutorials and high reliance on peers rather than teachers.  A multisectoral approach is necessary.  Governments can work to ensure that strong digital infrastructure is available at reasonable cost to residents of in the whole country. The private sector providing products and services much include education on how to use them and continuous tech support, not just provide a manual. Places where the digital poor may gather such as libraries, museums, cultural centres and banks should provide digital literacy courses and assistance to their clients. Education professionals must teach digital skills to the digital poor to be capable of  learning new digital skills  on their own.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Utbildningsvetenskap -- Lärande (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Educational Sciences -- Learning (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Medie- och kommunikationsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Media and Communications (hsv//eng)

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