Technology has assumed an integral role in all aspects of our life including education, business, and communication. Even our daily social interactions are influenced. Given the fast-paced, technology-driven world we live in, it’s critical to make technology literacy a priority for young learners right from the initial stages of their formal education.
What is Technology Literacy
Technological literacy refers to the ability to understand, use, and leverage technology effectively to accomplish tasks and solve problems. It’s much more than simply knowing how to use gadgets or apps. Tech literacy involves mastering the ability to use technological tools to improve learning and performance while avoiding pitfalls. It’s an essential skill in the academic and professional world, and not being tech literate can put people at a disadvantage.
A recent report by the National Skills Coalition (NSC) in collaboration with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, indicates that around 92% of jobs analyzed required digital skills. Prior research by the NSC had revealed that around one-third of workers lacked the foundational digital skills necessary to gain a foothold and thrive in the current job market. Viewed together, these statistics show that there is a compelling need to empower the students of today with the skills required to survive in a technology-dependent era.
Importance of Technology Literacy for Students
Technological literacy in the educational sector is more about fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills than simply researching information or fact-checking. A recent survey indicates that while 94% of respondents believe that critical thinking is essential, about 86% find this lacking in the public at large. Around 43% of respondents also opined that early childhood was the best period to foster critical thinking skills.
By utilizing technology to achieve specific goals, students can up their game to become leaders and innovators in a highly competitive world. This involves being familiar with the basics of digital tools and figuring out how different applications can be blended to achieve desired results.
Another hallmark of technology literacy could be the ability to apply basic quantitative reasoning skills and arrive at informed judgments about technological risks and benefits. A technologically literate student will find it easier to adapt to changing technological landscapes in the real world and thrive in collaborative environments. They can work effectively with others using available technology such as document sharing apps, project management tools, and virtual collaboration platforms.
Core Principals of Technology Literacy
Teaching and encouraging technology literacy isn’t simply about learning how to use a device. It’s about helping students become better critical thinkers, problem solvers, and creators. Technology will always be shifting, so the goal is to learn how to adapt quickly. These are the core principles of technology literacy in the 21st century:
1. Critical Thinking
While many students are comfortable using technology for everyday tasks, critical thinking goes beyond basic skills. Critically-thinking students can evaluate digital information, understand internet safety, and adapt to new technologies. They can distinguish between reliable and unreliable sources, protect their personal information, and stay up-to-date with the latest technology trends. In today's rapidly evolving digital world, these skills are essential for success.
According to research from Patricia Greenfield, UCLA distinguished professor of psychology, as technology has played a bigger role in our lives, our skills in critical thinking and analysis have declined, while our visual skills have improved.
How to Teach Critical Thinking
Greenfield recommends that kids engage in reading for pleasure and problem-solving activities to combat these regressions. Solutions such as Sphero littleBits are one way of introducing kids to electronics and engineering concepts in a fun way while developing their critical thinking ability. With a range of options for school and home, these easy-to-use building blocks make it a breeze to begin inventing.
2. Application Basics
Being tech-savvy isn't about knowing how to swipe and tap, it's about mastering the digital toolbox. Students need to know which app or program is the right tool for the job.
Brandon Hazzard, Educational Technology Integrationist at The First Academy in Florida, summarized this concept for us best: “Anyone can Google information, but knowing which tools to use makes up the difference between technology literacy and resource gathering.”
How to Teach Application Basics
Say you wanted your students to create a wheel and axel prototype with the Sphero Blueprint Engineering Kit, and present on their project. They must use engineering skills to create the prototype, but also can use CapCut to make a fun video about the process, put that into a PowerPoint to present, and use the class’s digital platform to share the final file. It's like a digital puzzle where all the pieces fit perfectly together.
3. Problem-Solving Skills
Beyond critical thinking abilities and knowledge of application basics, students must understand how to apply these skills to solve real-world problems. Problem solving is a learned skill set, and teachers can assign work that encourages students to develop a systematic approach to problem-solving, breaking down complex issues into smaller, more manageable steps.
Finally, technology can be used to simulate real-world scenarios and provide hands-on problem-solving experiences. For instance, students can use programming languages to create simulations of scientific experiments or engineering challenges. By experimenting with different variables and observing the outcomes, students can develop a deeper understanding of cause-and-effect relationships and learn to identify effective solutions.
How to Teach Problem-Solving Skills
As another example, if you are studying a historical or current event that did not turn out favorably, have your students brainstorm the steps that the participants could have done differently to create a more positive outcome. Break students into groups to encourage collaboration, which is another important part of a problem-solving skill set.
Online collaboration tools, such as Google Docs or shared whiteboards, enable students to work together in real-time, sharing ideas, discussing different perspectives, and combining their knowledge to find innovative solutions. This collaborative approach fosters teamwork, communication skills, and a broader understanding of the problem from multiple angles.
4. Creation
True technology literacy occurs when students can use the currently available technology to create new information or technology. Whether students are writing new code, programming robots, or using digital media programs to create art, they are becoming more than consumers of technology through the act of creation.
How to Teach Creation
Teaching creation involves empowering students to become active creators. Allow students to explore how technology shapes the world around them while learning to express their own ideas. Introduce students to coding languages and have them create simple games, apps, or websites. Incorporate robots like indi or BOLT+ to teach students how to program robots and explore how physical and digital systems interact.
The next generation of creative technologists are in the classroom today, and educators can help them on their path to success by integrating technology content into other subject areas like science, mathematics, and the arts. When students see technology in multiple settings and subject areas, they can start to connect the dots and think creatively.
Get started by browsing the entire collection of educational robots.
About the Author
The Sphero Team
The Sphero Team is comprised of current and former educators, education content and curriculum writers, product designers, engineers, executive leadership, and other experts in their fields. Learn more about who we are and what we do at https://sphero.com/pages/about-us.
