Digital literacy (topic 1), which includes the understanding of digital behaviour is sine qua non for building on my ONL journey of forward-thinking enlightenment. What is clear to me is that I need to move beyond Google. While a powerful tool the student is required to find answers to complex problems to continue to grow and expand their knowledge base. This translates into understanding the significant difference between Googling an answer and understanding why. Considering the FISh framework/model (throw in Bloom’s Taxonomy) we need and want students to be thinking deeper so they can live higher (to put a spin on a quote from Elie Wiesel, a Nobel-Prize winning writer, teacher and activist).

I’m acutely aware of the digital divide which shadows me, including the speed at which things change (in this space) and the time I have at my disposal to keep up with these changes. Crossing this divide means taking advantage of the tools, platforms, apps and resources available. I need to expand my conceptions of the digital world improving on my understanding of what these tools can do. What are the limitations and how to overcome them?

Evident from the Sara Mortsell webinar* and the David White videos* I must be able to offer students a choice such as a visual, audio or written option. My proficiency in digital literacy is necessary to set the standards and boundaries for this kind of differentiation.

Becoming a successful digital citizen requires an understanding together with the application of responsible uses of internet and technology. This includes the acknowledgement of others work (plagiarism) and treating others with respect (cyberbullying).

David White* highlights the evolving and emerging thinking around digital literacy declaring that “engagement with digital technologies isn’t so much a fixed thing (ie you are either a “native” or an “immigrant”), is actually on a continuum”. It’s fluid, a moving target, it never stands still.

Surely this means that I do not need to become an expert in the digital space, but it does require that I understand the digital tools that are able to unlock my deeper tutoring potential.

* https://play.ki.se/media/ONL181+Webinar+Sara+M%C3%B6rtsell+2018-10-03/0_l0h30xj7

*https://opennetworkedlearning.wordpress.com/archive/overview-and-shedule-onl-162/topic1/

*http://www.21caf.org/uploads/1/3/5/2/13527682/39_kekhuijser.pdf

*Image – unknown source (free images online).