Digital literacy: a review in the South Pacific [Scholarly Article - Journal of Computing in Higher Education, 2022]

Title:

Digital literacy: a review in the South Pacific

 

Authors:

Pritika Reddy, Bibhya Sharma & Kaylash Chaudhary 

 

Published:

Journal of Computing in Higher Education, 34, 83-108 (11 May 2022)

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12528-021-09280-4

 

Abstract:

In this era of exponential prominence and adoption of technology, one needs to have the ability to find, evaluate, utilize, share and create ideas, responsibly and ethically, using Information Communication Technology (ICT) tools and technologies combined with the Internet. This emerging human attribute is known as digital literacy. Today, digital literacy is an essential component of everyone's personal and professional lives to survive and thrive in the digital world. The notion of advocating digital literacy around the world is leveraged on the shoulders of higher education institutes. The institutes are playing a pivotal role in mentoring the younger generation to be digitally literate so that they can contribute effectively towards an individual, societal and national development and progression. This same now applies to the South Pacific region as well, with its recent progressive growth of ICT and the dynamic use of digital technology. It can also be added that digital literacy and, by extension, digital fluency is more needed in developing countries, including the South Pacific region, as these countries rely heavily on ICTs for their economic survival, competition and progression. However, there is a dearth of baseline research on digital literacy in the South Pacific since the concept is still new and an emerging one in the region. A few works have been done on the components of digital literacy highlighted in this integrative literature review paper. The anecdotal research will elaborate on the concept of digital literacy, discuss its importance and impacts with major emphasis on the South Pacific, and provide a comprehensive review of digital literacy, its importance and its impact on higher education in the South Pacific.

UNDP Report (May 2022) - Resources for, and Needs of Vulnerable and Marginalized Young People on Digital Literacy, Safety and Participation

Title of report: 

Mapping and Review of Resources for, and Needs of Vulnerable and Marginalized Young People in the Asia-Pacific Region on Digital Literacy, Safety and Participation

Published:

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), 17 May 2022

https://www.undp.org/publications/resources-and-needs-vulnerable-and-marginalized-young-people-digital-literacy-safety-and-participation

Description of report:

Digital citizenship is understood as an urgent educational priority in an information age. Organizations working across the sector have argued for the need for greater digital literacy and digital citizenship education of children and young people so they can harness the educational, civic and economic opportunities of an increasingly connected world, while also learning skills to protect themselves from online risks and harms.   

 

This report presents findings from the ‘Mapping and review of online resources for, and perceived needs among vulnerable and marginalized young people in the Asia-Pacific region on digital literacy, safety and participation’ commissioned by UNESCO and UNDP. This rapid assessment aims to understand the needs of LGBTI young people and Young Key Populations (YKP) in the AIDS response in the Asia-Pacific region, in their quest for more secure digital spaces and improved experiences of digital citizenship. The assessment will also act as key guidance material for Youth-led organizations (Youth Lead and Y-Peer) to develop their own tools and resources for their communities and support grassroot level organizations to build online platforms for advocacy.

International students’ reading digital texts on tablets: experiences and strategies [Journal of Computing in Higher Education, 25 November 2020]

Title:

International students’ reading digital texts on tablets: experiences and strategies

 

Authors:

Ho-Ryong Park, Deoksoon Kim & Oksana Vorobel

Published:

Journal of Computing in Higher Education, 25 November 2020

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12528-019-09242-x

Abstract:

This multiple case study investigated four university-level international students’ reading of digital texts on tablets. The study describes these students’ experiences with and strategies for mobile reading. The participants were four international students in the United States, and their first language (L1) was not English. The data were collected through observations, verbal reports, interviews, and field notes. The findings showed that participants had both positive and negative experiences using tablets for reading and that mobile reading facilitated their learning about their lives, language, culture, and technology. The study shows that the participants used six reading strategies: (a) setting up the purpose, (b) deciding what to read, (c) accessing a digital text, (d) dialoguing, (e) making a connection, and (f) using applications and digital literacy skills. The article discusses mobile reading, with a focus on strategies, affordances and processes, as well as cultural learning and empowerment.