Digital Participation

Summary

A range of research reports suggest that digital literacy should be a key part of curricular developments in both primary and secondary schools. Digital literacy is about far more than functional ICT skills: it requires support for children to access, create and communicate using ICT, as well as to be evaluative and critical about the influences and impacts of new media. Digital literacy therefore also means ‘digital participation’ and the involvement of children in enquiry-based active learning using technologies. Becta’s Harnessing Technology strategy demonstrates that children want to be “active learners” engaged in “first-hand authentic learning,” involving “communication” and “collaboration” and “whatever technology is appropriate to their needs.” Strategies to support digital literacy and participation in schools will be vital to meeting these requirements.