Importance of Digital Literacy in K-12 Education

K-12 education forms the foundation of any learner’s education journey. Therefore, it is fundamental that learners have the best learning experience at the elementary and secondary levels. Considering generations, ‘the best learning experience’ can be a subjective statement. K-12 students of the modern era will have a different image of what that statement means from the older generation’s students. To help with a more pragmatic definition of the best experience in K-12 education, nowadays, consulting firms specialize in advising and ensuring learners have the best and most effective learning experience in their K-12 education. This article, however, is not about the consulting firms but addresses the importance of online learning to K-12 education.

Time flies, and things change. Systems change. Perspectives change. How things are run and done also change. Modern times are distinctly different from the past in many ways. Most of these differences can be attributed, majorly, to the ever-advancing technology.  Modern times require modern methods of teaching and learning. Consequentially, it would be best if you considered introducing digital literacy programs in your K-12 grades. This early acquaintance with digital media will help prepare young children and teenagers for the skills required to safely and responsibly engage in technology. Furthermore, digital technology education will empower and educate children by presenting the tools necessary to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing digital world.

Below are some of the ways through which digital literacy makes learning more effective:

Makes learning ubiquitous

Nowadays, technology is everywhere. Most students have smart devices like computers, tablets and mobile phones back at home. They are, therefore, well exposed to technology. Integrating learning to this technology will therefore help learn wherever they can access technology. They don’t have to wait for a classroom experience to learn. The learners can take their knowledge with them wherever they go, applying their digital literacy skills in learning profoundly outside the classroom. Technology bypasses the restrictions of time and space, opening their minds to independent learning. Thanks to technology, they can continue researching and writing anywhere they go, making them more independent and inquisitive.

Constant connection with teachers

Besides staying connected with their peers during assignments, teachers are even more important in online learning environments. Teachers have access to everything their students are doing on the learning platform. This access helps them evaluate their students’ learning potential, peer reviews, and their students’ specific learning activities. The analytical data gathered from this helps assess each student’s performance and ability. Cloud computing facilitates further visibility over their students’ progress.

Convenient learning

Every single student, whether elementary or secondary school, has needs unique to him/her. Online learning makes it possible for students to work at a pace that’s convenient for them. Consequently, the learner is relieved of the pressure of keeping up with the other students in the classroom. Thanks to technology, teachers now can track and intervene necessarily to adjust the learning material to meet the learner’s needs.

Interacting with peers

Another advantage of harnessing technology in the classroom, particularly in older children, is that they can do interpersonal computing. On account of using cloud environments, learners can easily interact with one another, review, encourage one another, and even make suggestions when doing their assignments. This not only helps motivate students to perform better, but it also makes them better team players and negotiators. These are skills that will even help them later in life.

The list of benefits to be gained from integrating technology into the K-12 education system is not limited to the ones listed above. I, however, believe that this article will help you see the essence of having digital literacy in the K-12 education system. Digital literacy is also not the only way to improve learning at the K-12 level. It would be prudent to seek an educational consulting firm’s services to find out other viable ways of improving your learners’ experience. For instance, JAG Consulting Services offers quality and professional education consulting services. By getting in touch with the consulting firm, you will have the assurance of offering the best learning experience to your K-12 students.