Digital Literacy

Being a digitally literate citizen extends beyond the operation of devices. it encompasses the ability to read, write, and interact through digital means to engage with diverse online communities (Buchholz, et al., 2020, p. 12). Digital literacy and digital skills are key elements of digital citizenship (Ribble, 2020) that are becoming increasingly important for all workers across all industries (Gekara, et al., 2019, p. 23). COVID-19 has highlighted that all citizens use digital literacy practices to learn, stay informed, and participate in their community (Buchholz, et al., 2020, p. 13). Whilst the skills requirements will vary depending upon the industry, most workers will need only the skills to work with technology, rather than create or develop the technology.

It has been highlighted that achieving this minimum level of digital literacy across the workforce will be a challenge, many Australians, including vocational educators, do not possess sufficient digital literacy (Gekara, et al., 2019, p. 11; Reeson, et al., 2019, p. 13). Digital literacy skills are now considered a core foundation skill, which sits alongside the Australian Core Skills Framework which acknowledges the importance of digital literacy along with Language, Literacy and Numeracy skills (Reeson, et al.z, 2019, p. 13; Department of Education, Skills and Employment, 2020).