What is Digital Literacy?

Digital Literacy is the ability to use information and communication technologies to find, research, evaluate, create, plan, and communicate information, requiring both cognitive and technical skills.

In relation to digital literacy, CCEA have stated that they 'want to ensure that we are addressing Digital Skills through our education system in a strategic and joined up manner.'

It is important that learners attending schools in Northern Ireland become:

• Digital Citizens, with the skills that will enable them to take part in digital aspects of society, safely and without hindrance;

• Digital Workers, who are able to apply their digital skills to further their learning or in a work-related setting; and

• Digital Makers, who are starting to build their own digital technology.

The above three strands come from the recommendations in the House of Lords Select Committee report “Make or break: The UK’s Digital Future” (2015) and the UK Digital Skills taskforce’s definition of different levels of digital skills.

It is therefore necessary that teachers integrate the use of digital skills into their day-to-day practice appropriate to the needs of their pupils, enabling them to develop and practice skills within the three strands as outlined above.

CCEA have also published a Digital Skills Curriculum and Qualifications Framework which enables you to see a digital skills pathway through the different stages of Northern Ireland's Education system.

For more information about each Key Stage, see CCEA's Digital Hub.