Search Results for: literacy

In one of my posts last week, I mentioned “Measuring Digital Literacy Gaps Is the First Step to Closing Them“, a recent article from ITIF.

We all agree on the importance of being digitally literate in today’s world. Most of us can’t imagine communicating, working, studying, being entertained, banking, shopping, or driving without using a computer, our smartphone or a tablet. Knowing how to safely use digital devices and the internet is a basic need. However, as ITIF writes “we have no clear system of measuring this type of literacy rate.”

How do we know where our population stands? How do we compare to other comparable countries? Do we have any idea if we have a problem with digital training?

I, for one, suspect we do.

ITIF suggests a data-driven approach, meaning we need to develop measurements for rates of digital literacy.

Simply connecting to the Internet is no longer enough. To really benefit from the information age, populations need the ability to navigate the Internet and use connected devices with some baseline level of skills. To equip our population with essential twenty-first-century skills, we need to standardize that baseline and figure out how to assess whether and when it’s met.

Recall, a few months ago I wrote about Alberta’s approach to upgrading digital skills. Alberta offers two streams, beginner and intermediate. But how do you know which one to take? How do we know the size of our literacy gap in the absence of a measurement tool.

The term digital literacy can mean different things to different people. ITIF cites a definition by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance. “Digital Literacy is the ability to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information, requiring both cognitive and technical skills.” Can you access information online? Do you know how to communicate using email or messenger applications? Are you comfortable with online banking? Joining a Zoom meet-up or webinar?

ITIF notes that since it can be important to identify reasons behind digital illiteracy. For example, does the user have difficulty with problem-solving in general or is it due to unfamiliarity or discomfort with a particular application. These would require different approaches to remediation. “From that perspective, a largely outcome-based definition leaves room for ambiguity.”

Researchers also need to contend with the fact that digital skills themselves, no matter how narrowly defined, can be difficult to measure. Any attempt to measure practical, and not always outwardly discernible skills—such as comfort with or understanding of a particular process—often relies on self-assessment or otherwise self-reported data. This fact opens digital literacy studies up to a measurement problem. Different people’s evaluations of their own competency at the same task might reflect different understandings of what the standards for that competency should be. In other words, people don’t always know what they don’t know.

What gets measured, gets done.

The CRTC and ISED measure progress toward universal access to broadband. But, we also need to focus on the demand side, ensuring Canadians are getting online. It isn’t enough to have access to high speed internet at your doorstep. We need Canadians to actually get online, and feel comfortable doing so.

Should we add digital literacy indicators to Canada’s online dashboard?

Will online digital literacy training drive increased digital inclusivity?

As I mentioned last month, Alberta launched free digital literacy training. I thought it might be worthwhile to take a closer look at what the courses look like.

Training is available online in English and in French – at no charge. It has two streams: beginner, and intermediate. The beginner stream has 10 modules; there are 9 modules in the intermediate stream. Each course module is designed to be completed in 30 minutes or less.

Alberta’s digital literacy training program was developed with support from the federal Skills for Success program. That could explain why the online program appears to be open to all, including non-residents of Alberta.

The lessons are designed to be practical, focusing on skills that every internet user should have.

Last summer, I wrote that digital inclusion needs more than just money. Building broadband access is only part of solution for digital inclusion. We need to understand the non-price factors inhibiting people from connecting to broadband services. And then, we need to solve those factors.

The Alberta Digital Literacy program provides a mix of basic skills and it includes courses to develop sensitivity to online safety and security. The first intermediate course teaches about different types of online content, and how to tell if a website is reliable. Modules include Online Content; Qualities of Good and Bad Content; Evaluating Online Content; Sharing Online Content; and a Knowledge Check.

The program is designed for those with little to no experience using computers, but it also incudes a range of topics helpful for boosting and tuning up digital literacy skills.

Please share this with friends or family who may need help. I’d be interested in hearing feedback from readers.

Last week, MediaSmarts released “From Access to Engagement: Building a Digital Media Literacy Strategy for Canada” [pdf, 2.9MB].

The report is an output from a symposium held in February. MediaSmarts has been advocating for digital literacy for more than 15 years, since its earlier incarnation as the Media Awareness Network, and you will see references to digital literacy on this blog dating back almost as long.

A national strategy will provide experts, advocates and service providers in the digital media literacy field with a unified but flexible approach for preventing and responding to online harms through education and critical skills development. At the same time, people living in Canada will be empowered to use, understand, create and engage with digital technology and digital media, which is at the heart of active digital citizenship and innovation.

Unfortunately, Canada doesn’t have an accurate baseline to measure our digital media literacy skills, unlike some of our closest trading partners, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, or Australia. As I recently noted, digital literacy appears to be a significant inhibitor in increasing adoption of internet connectivity among vulnerable populations eligible for affordable broadband and devices. The report notes “that when it comes to digital participation, access to technology and training is crucial for historically marginalized people in Canada, including Indigenous communities, people living in poverty, newcomers and people with disabilities.”

A recent article in Policy Options by the report’s authors observed “Access alone cannot close the digital divide.”

Digital literacy is more than technological know-how. It includes various ethical, social and reflective practices essential to developing online resilience and ethical digital citizenship. We must then embed these practices in our work, learning and daily life. Approaches to digital literacy that overemphasize access, hard technological skills and risk-avoidance constrain rather than bolster user agency. The risk is that while most people do not need coaxing to use digital technology, many users become deeply immersed in online life without the necessary digital literacy skills and supports.

Let’s take a look at that last sentence. I would agree that “most people do not need coaxing to use digital technology”, but we also need to consider the challenge of digital literacy training for those who do need coaxing. While the number of folks who don’t use internet is closing, last week’s release from Statistics Canada [Full Report: pdf, 820KB] shows there is still over-representation of some groups that are getting left behind. Statistics Canada data identifies age and education among the most significant factors impacting internet skills.

We are making progress. Statistics Canada reports “Fewer Canadians are on the ‘have not’ side of the digital divide”.

From 2018 to 2020, the shares of Canadians identified as either Non-users or Basic users of the internet and digital technologies declined by almost 5 percentage points, from 23.8% to 18.9%. This represented a shift of almost 1.4 million Canadians from the ‘have-not’ to the ‘have’ side of the digital divide.

Leaders of the various low-income broadband programs (Connecting Families, Connected for Success, Internet for Good) may be able to provide valuable input to help inform the development of Canada’s national digital literacy strategy on factors influencing non-adoption of internet connectivity. As I wrote last year, “we have learned that getting people online isn’t just a matter of price.”

Of those who do not currently use the internet, a significant portion attribute their lack of online activity to issues of digital literacy and concern for cybersecurity.

Access alone cannot close the digital divide.

Canada needs to place greater emphasis on development of digital literacy among users and non-users alike.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains announced a $1.25M one time cash injection to the Computers for Schools program to provide 7,500 refurbished computers and technical support to Syrian refugees.

Computers for Success Canada—Ordinateurs pour l’excellence Canada (CFSC-OPEC), through the Computers for Schools (CFS) program, makes available refurbished computers at little or no cost to those who may not otherwise have access to technology and opportunities to learn digital skills.

It is great to see the Minister investing in digital literacy skills for people who are disadvantaged, a theme about which I have written a few times in the past – maybe more than a few times [such as here, and here and here and here, among others].

All the low-cost broadband in the world won’t help a family that can’t afford the up-front cost of a computer. Recall my opening comments from The 2015 Canadian Telecom Summit last June:

I will repeat what I said last year: “Kids need computers at home to do homework.”

Six weeks ago, south of the border, FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel wrote:

Students who lack broadband access at home are unable to complete basic schoolwork. They have trouble keeping up in the classroom. More than that, they are holding our educational efforts back.
…
The homework gap is the cruelest part of the digital divide. But we can take steps now to tackle it — steps that will help students get their schoolwork done, help expand access to the Internet, and help grow our digital economy.

Canada’s Digital Strategy, follows the politically attractive path that continues (and expands) the subsidy systems based on geography. Hundreds of millions of dollars have flowed to subsidize rural and remote regions without regard to the actual financial needs of consumers.

It is great to see the Minister targeting aid on the basis of need. As I have written before, too often, government programs have looked at providing cash on the basis of geography without focusing specifically on those who need help, regardless of where they live. It is an important message for the CRTC as it prepares for the opening of its Review of basic telecommunications services hearing next month.

The 2016 Canadian Telecom Summit will include a session looking at “Strengthening Canada’s Digital Advantage in a Hyper-connected Global Economy”, hosted by Namir Anani of the Information & Communications Technology Council (ICTC). (ICTC has just released a national digital talent strategy paper.)

The Canadian Telecom Summit takes place this year from June 6-8 in Toronto. Have you registered yet??

Last fall, I wrote about TELUS launching a free program to improve digital literacy and online safety, for children and adults to help advance “Wise Internet and Smartphone Education”.

TELUS WISE will offer seminars and online resources that will help keep all members of Canadian families safer online. It is not just an online resource; TELUS WISE ambassadors will come out to any local community group to conduct in-person seminars on Internet and smartphone safety – a workplace, community centre, school, parenting group or senior’s centre, for example. Individuals can also book a one-on-one session with trained staff at more than 200 TELUS stores. Educational materials will also be available on a secure portal, available to anyone who wants to educate themselves on the safe use of smartphones, tablets and computers.

Two weeks ago, TELUS was recognized by CACP, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, for helping Canadian families stay safe online.

CACP has officially endorsed TELUS WISE, which has already reached more than 350,000 Canadians. The CACP Board of Directors is encouraging policing services to use the TELUS WISE program across the country, making the program materials and resources available to families in their communities.

The TELUS WISE program has two components – one aimed at adults and a second (called “TELUS WISE footprint”) which appeals directly to youth. TELUS regularly schedules free, in-person public TELUS WISE seminars led by specially-trained TELUS team members at convenient public locations. Groups of ten or more can book their own seminars in the workplace, at a community centre, in a school, at a parenting group or seniors’ centre. Individuals can also book one-on-one sessions at more than 200 TELUS stores nationwide. TELUS WISE and TELUS WISE footprint educational materials are available on a secure TELUS WISE portal for anyone interested in self-education on the safe use of smartphones, tablets and computers.

In our opening remarks at The 2014 Canadian Telecom Summit, Michael Sone and I called on the telecom industry to step up to provide the digital leadership that Canada needs.

We need to create the right conditions for Canada to lead in a global digital economy:

• We need to drive a greater degree of digital inclusiveness for all Canadians, young and old, urban and rural, regardless of their economic station.
• We need programs to increase digital literacy and access for disadvantaged Canadians.
• We need to drive increased adoption of Information and Communications Technology in business
• We need to improve ICT adoption in all dealings with government, especially in improving the quality and efficiency of health care delivery, and
• Our customers need to be confident that they can engage online securely and with their privacy safeguarded.

… it may be up to those of us in this room, gathered here at The Canadian Telecom Summit, representing the leading stakeholders in Canada’s innovation agenda, to develop and impart the vision to create a Digital Canada.

TELUS WISE is precisely the type of private sector leadership of which we spoke, “to develop and impart the vision to create a Digital Canada.”

The program deserves the recognition it received from CACP.