Digital literacy

Definition: “the ability to read, write and otherwise deal with information using the technologies and formats of the time” (Shear & Knobel, 2008).  

In the era of “smart”, fast technology, AI is a prominent competent of education and everyday life. AI uses algorithms within apps such as TikTok, Instagram and Twitter to predict what advertisements, videos and sounds to place on your screen so that you engage with the system.  

Image generated by ChatGPT

What does this mean for students? 

It is important for student to be able to navigate technology with a critical understanding of its capabilities and its potential harmful effects.  

By using technology in an ethical way, it can be used as a tool to support powerful and positive learning.  

Some examples of how AI might currently be used in education: 

• Asking AI to explain the meaning of a difficult paragraph for a class reading. 
• Allowing documents such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs to auto-complete sentences. 
• Using note taking apps while in lectures. 

Can you think of any important safeguards digitally, ethically literate learners might want to put in place to ensure that they have ownership over their own learning? Critical thinking includes an awareness of where AI and other digital technologies may lack accuracy, magnify bias and interrupt effective learning.

TASK: Find a piece of paper and a writing utensil. Write the numbers 1-4 in list format. Below, you are going to read four sentences. Write ‘yes’ by each number if you find the corresponding statement appropriate, ethical and supportive for student success and ‘no’ if you do not. Then check your answers against ours by scrolling down to the bottom of the section. 

1) I asked AI to write chapters of my thesis that were outside of my specialism before submitting the work as my own. 

2) AI takes notes for me during lectures so I can be more present. After class, I take the time to go through the notes to correct mistakes and make sure the notes align with the class material and my understanding. 

3) I turned on a setting on my computer that tells me when my screen time reaches a certain limit. Then I know I need to take a break from work. 

4) When I don’t want to engage with core course material, I ask AI to summarise it for me. It saves me time and is more efficient.

For further in-depth discussions on digital literacy see the University of Glasgow Student Learning Development work on generative AI and academic integrity.

TASK answers:

1) No

2) Yes

3) Yes

4) No