The digital world offers significant benefits to us all by providing platforms that allow us to connect and collaborate (ProLiteracy, 2021). It offers opportunities to learn daily about new and important issues and empowers innovation in ways that could not be possible some few years ago. With the advancement of technology, people need the skills to survive, use and thrive in the digital society hence the need for digital literacy. Digital literacy means possessing skills that allow one to use technology to find, evaluate, create, organize, and communicate information. As the digitalization of the world continues daily, there is a need for Adult educational programs to embrace new technologies, which involves developing skills and knowledge that enables adults to navigate and discern all forms of digital technology safely (Silicon Valley Adult Education, n.d). This essay offers insight for teachers on how to increase the understanding of digital literacy and enhance technology in Adult Educational Programs.
Teachers need to encourage the use of computer-based technology devices such as laptops, tablets, and desktop computers. When students get familiar with these digital tools, it builds confidence in their digital skills. Teachers can then create adaptive profiles matching the adult learner’s needs to give them control over the learning process, better engage the learner, and be more efficient in applying digital tools such as word processing (ProLiteracy,2021). Using word processing simplifies laborious writing by allowing the ability to compose and edit any written material quickly.
With the world digitalized, mobile and portable devices have increased; teachers need to take advantage of this by using social media for learning and collaborating using it in an educational context. For example, students can use Facebook or LinkedIn groups to connect and exchange ideas and Pinterest boards to provide and receive feedback during group projects. Teachers should introduce digital or online lessons. It is impossible to conduct anything online like a class without digital tools. Hence, teachers themselves need to improve their digital skills and then pass them on to their students through educational software and help them become more engaged in the art of learning online.
Although virtual meeting tools are primarily used in the working world to support working from home or remotely, teachers can use these tools in an educational scenario to help adult learners overcome transport issues and increase engagement time beyond the short class periods. Another way to increase digital literacy knowledge is to use classroom websites, digital calendars, and personalized addresses for adult learners. The websites will offer a platform for engagement between learners and teachers for updates on classroom events and assignments for the learners and supervisory actions from the teacher (Sharp, 2017). More use of these platforms results in improved digital literacy.
Another recommendation for teachers is to take advantage of existing learning materials such as YouTube, webinars, and blogs to help adult learners improve their digital skills (Sharp, 2017). YouTube happens to be the world’s largest search engine, and it is effortless to use; as you do not have to read, you can watch and follow a video to learn anything.
In conclusion, teachers should build robust and productive relationships with their adult learners. Creating this environment encourages them to voice their views and opinions on what digital literacy means to them (Soheila & Harminder, 2015). The teacher can pick on what skills and abilities to focus onto help them live , work and learn in an online world.
Reference
ProLiteracy (2021, May 21). Digital Literacy and technology integration in Adult Basic Skills Education. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHyEbpYCmcE.
Sharp, L. A. (September 01, 2017). Enhancing Digital Literacy and Learning Among Adults With Blogs. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 61, 2, 191-202.
Silicon Valley Adult Education (n.d); https://www.metroed.net/domain/54
Soheila Mohammadyari, Harminder Singh (2015)Understanding the effect of e-learning on individual performance: The role of digital literacy, Computers & Education, Volume 82, Pages 11-25;https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360131514002450
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