A multidimensional approach to understanding and addressing digital literacy in higher education

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Research and Development in Higher Education Vol. 37: Higher Education in a Globalized World

July, 2014, 352 pages
Published by
A. Kwan, E. Wong, T. Kwong, P. Lau & A. Goody
ISBN
978-0-908557-96-7
Abstract 

Despite an increased focus on traditional literacies such as reading and writing, digital literacy remains a concern due to the inconsistency with which the current generation of students are able to use digital technologies for academic and future professional purposes. One of the challenges of digital literacy is its multidimensional nature. There have been many attempts to define these dimensions but most have focused on a narrow range. The focus of this paper is to synthesise the existing research into a multidimensional taxonomy that may provide a framework for ensuring the development of digital literacy skills in higher education. The taxonomy defines the media and skills inherent in digital literacy at multiple cognitive and epistemological levels, while accommodating the contexts that mediate their use.

Keywords: Digital Literacy, Learning Outcomes, Educational Taxonomies