DIGITAL LITERACY TUTORS 

FOR ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE SCHOOL AND 

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Teachers and tutors teach students of all ages to become digitally literate. But what does that mean? First, It’s more than reading a book online or posting on social media. 

According to the American Library Association (ALA), digital literacy is defined  as “the ability to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information, requiring both cognitive and technical skills” 

THIS 8-YEAR-OLD’S FINANCIAL KNOWLEDGE IS MIND BLOWING l GMA DIGITAL

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Let’s break down the specific 21st-century skills students need to be able to use technology while learning skills and content in academic subjects. But first, let’s explore the importance of digital literacy.

Why is Digital Literacy Important? 

Digital literacy is an important part of a student’s toolbox of skills. As mentioned, to be digitally literate, students need to know how to find, evaluate, create, communicate, and share digital content. But in order to do these tasks, they need critical thinking skills. These cognitive skills are just as important as the technical part of digital software and devices. When students study digital literacy, they are not only learning “how” to use computers but also how to use it effectively. 

Students also need to learn how to be responsible when using technology and they must understand Internet safety. For example, students learn what is appropriate and not appropriate when sending emails and using social media. For internet safety, students learn the basics of strong passwords, managing privacy settings, and the issue of cyberbullying. 

Studying the “literacy” of the digital world is also an important element for students pursuing college and/or their careers. Most, if not all careers require digital literacy. In addition to the cognitive and technical skills needed. Students must learn to use those skills in effective ways and at the same time, be responsible.

At Themba Tutors, our digital literacy tutors will design a learning plan around your student’s needs and are age-appropriate. Our goal is to support your student to be digitally literate and supplement what your child or teen is learning in school.

Students will learn skills from the list below. The possibilities are endless. 

Finding and Using Digital Content Effectively

• Locate and use digital content but with critical thinking skills;
• Evaluate sources to be trustworthy and determine if the information is factual or false. 
• Practice critical thinking skills when evaluating sources;
• Ask questions about the information. Who created it? Why was it posted What is the viewpoint? What is missing from the text? Where is it located on the internet? 
• Evaluate the accuracy of charts, graphics, and other data sources.
• Learn research skills and use digital libraries and/or digital databases

Creating Digital Content 

• Create content in all forms including writing, tweets, podcasts, videos, emails, blogs, and lots more!
• Create a website or blog to share interests or projects.
• Learn how to find and feel comfortable with learning new programs, applications, and software. 
• Exploring the cloud and using it to save time across devices.
• Use one or more of the following tools for learning such as a digital class calendar, annotation tools to take notes, devices to assess student learning in real-time, digital portfolios to curate and collect student work for viewing and sharing, and grammar and vocabulary applications.

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Communicating and Sharing Content Effectively

• Learn how to share, collaborate, and communicate with others using a variety of digital tools and devices.
• Discover the benefits of using social media but also how to use it properly.

Digital Citizenship and Responsibility

• Understand how to be responsible when sharing content

Learn the problems, solutions, and issues surrounding cyberbullying, purchasing online, digital footprints, private settings, and safety.

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