11. Digital Literacy (the theory)

Here, starts Dr Emma Pauncefort’s attempt to cut through the noise in the literacy space and bring order and precision to the term ‘digital literacy’. Drawing on the work of Paul Gilster and Prof Garry Falloon, she looks to move us beyond equating digital literacy with ‘technical know-how’ whilst embedding the notion of digital literacy as a skill i.e. ‘practical knowledge’. Using Falloon’s work and scrutiny of a range of definitions as a springboard, she explores digital literacy as a holistic concept that encapsulates a whole range of processes and practices, including an all-important focus on individual attitudes and disposition, and higher order thinking skills. She ends by highlighting that to practice digital literacy is to engage in a continuous cycle of mindful action and reaction online.