Unlocking the Digital World

The Crucial Role of Digital Literacy in Primary Education 

Computing is made up of three strands – computer science, digital literacy, and information technology. This blog will focus on digital literacy, the foundational skill that equips children with the tools they need to navigate the digital world creatively, confidently and responsibly (Promethean, 2017). Digital literacy is a cognitive and technical ability to find, assess, and share information using digital media. It is essential students learn how to be ‘active participants in a digital world’ (Department of Education (DfE) 2013, p178) that continues to advance. Before concluding with future teaching goals, a discussion on why it is important for children to learn how to use the diverse media appropriately and creatively will be addressed (Natterhub, n.d.). 

The National Curriculum (DfE, 2013) intends to educate children about digital literacy through clarifying responsible behaviour online and how to preserve digital profiles by keeping personal information private. Key Stage 1 concentrates on how to use ‘technology safely’, ‘recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour’, and identify ways to report concerns about communication and information online (DfE, 2013, p179). Key Stage 2 learning focuses on how to safeguard private information on online services (ibid.). ‘Children have the right to enjoy childhood online’ (GOV.UK, 2020, p2), but without digital literacy, children may not be able to identify ‘threats of internet grooming, sexting, cyberbullying, and identity theft’ (Promethean, 2017, n.p.) and know how to respond to them carefully. Being knowledgeable on digital literacy accounts for developing skills such as communication, e-safety, critical thinking, and creativity (Natterhub, n.d.). These can be applied across a variety of contexts. The internet, in particular, can expose children to bad content, however, a values-based approach – advocating for responsible technology practice - can influence learners to foster ‘moral responsibility’ to do the right thing (Berry, 2015, p46).  

In primary education, creative digital literacy is demonstrated through utilising programmes such as Scratch to produce digital content (DfE, 2013). In my EDP1607 module, I used Scratch to develop my own digital literacy and understand what I needed to include to draw shapes. To make a square, I pieced together an ‘event’, a 'pen’ and eight ‘motions’.

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Understanding that a ‘control’ function would allow me to simplify two ’motions’ by repeating them reflected on my own ability to produce creative digital content later with other shapes. Tuvey et al. (2016, p109) suggest this activity offers teachers an opportunity ‘to assess numerous aspects of the programme of study’, not just their technical skills.  

In brief, digital literacy is not a mere skill – it is a fundamental necessity for young learners. Evident through research and practice from this blog, children can apply these skills across education and beyond. To ensure students have understood the concept of digital literacy and its role in the classroom, I intend to teach with a values-based approach and embed a long-lasting responsibility in pupils, as well as a game-based approach when challenging pupils to remember concepts in computing through practice (DfE, 2019). 

Reference List:

Berry, Miles. COMPUTING at SCHOOL Computing a CPD Toolkit for Primary Teachers . 2015.

Department for Education. ITT Core Content Framework . Department for Education, 2019.

Department for Education. The National Curriculum in England Key Stages 1 and 2 Framework Document. Sept. 2013.

GOV.UK. Education for a Connected World - 2020 Edition. 2020.

Natterhub. “Guide to Teaching Digital Literacy in Primary School.” Natterhub.com, natterhub.com/guide-to-teaching-digital-literacy-in-primary-school.

Promethean. “Digital Literacy in the Classroom. How Important Is It? | Promethean Blog.” 

Promethean World, 12 Jan. 2024, www.prometheanworld.com/gb/resource-centre/blogs/digital-literacy-classroom-important/. Accessed 1 Mar. 2024.

Scratch. “Scratch - Imagine, Program, Share.” Scratch, 2018, scratch.mit.edu/. Accessed 28 Feb. 2024.

Turvey, Keith, et al. Primary Computing and Digital Technologies: Knowledge, Understanding and Practice. Learning Matters, 14 Sept. 2016. Accessed 25 Feb. 2024.