What do you mean I’m a digital native? I still use a typewriter!

Believing that college students are “digital natives” is problematic. Who is a “digital native” and what separates a digital native from a non-digital native? Although millennials grew up in an age of technological advancement, people often forget that those who teach us were not raised in this type of technological environment. Most millennials were and are still taught traditional methodologies and literacy. At best, we know how to use, Microsoft office, photo editing tools, and social media platforms. (At least that was all I knew how to do.) However, when it comes to true digital literacy, millennials need just as much help as previous generations do.

I am glad to hear that higher education institutions are promoting digital literacy. Because of the stereotype “millennials are digital natives”, college students need to have the skill of digital literacy in order succeed in the classroom and marketplace.

As a History major, I learned how to conduct traditional research. The skill of traditional literacy is still important to know but college students should be equally versed in both traditional and digital literacy. Most students understand and know what traditional literacy looks like, but only a select few have the skill of digital literacy.

Learning and gaining the skill of digital literacy this past summer really allowed me to open my mind to different ways of doing and presenting research. More than that, I am now able to apply my digital skills to everyday tasks of reading internet articles or exploring a website. I think the most important digital skills that college students should learn are the broader ideas of change and open access. Over the summer, the cohort talked a lot about how quickly the world of DS changes. As digital scholars, we should welcome this change and be ready for that change when it comes. Whether it is learning a new digital tool, exploring an updated version of Scalar, or understanding new copyright laws, we should be able to embrace this change and not shy away from it. Open access is also a huge part of digital scholarship. Traditional skills and methodologies tend to shy away from this concept, making information not as accessible to the public. Students should learn how to write and present information to a public. In most cases, digital jobs are looking for people who can effectively reach the public.

In terms of how to teach this to students, I have a suggestion. Incorporate these broader themes of digital literacy in the classroom and openly discuss them. I know we tend to talk a lot about the humanities, but I digital literacy can be taught throughout all disciplines. Assign an individual small scale digital project for students to do throughout the semester. The digital project can be used as a way to openly discuss digital literacy, teach students the basic digital skills, and allow them to view problems from a digital perspective. Colleges could even establish a basic digital literacy course in their curriculum where students will learn basic digital skills.

In a world that heavily revolves around digital technology, students need to be equipped with the skills of digital literacy. Contrary to popular belief, most college students are not equipped. If colleges start implementing digital skills in their curriculum, students will be able to maneuver this changing world of technology more efficiently.


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