Redefining Literacy in a Digital Age: The Role of Instructors in Promoting Digital Literacy

Abstract

Global technological advancement is changing information dissemination among literates and non-literates. This new development seems to be influencing the definition of literacy. The current paper discusses the changing paradigm from the old perspective of literacy to a new literacy, which is radically affecting every sphere of life, especially education. This position paper shows how this new literacy, driven by ICT (Information and Communication Technology), is shaping the character of the human being, and determining the ways through which knowledge and skills are acquired, thus influencing new expeditions of the school curriculum. This paper attempts a deconstruction of the different arguments advanced for ICT-driven literacy and education. While agreeing that some adverse effects and constraints come along with these new technologies, I am convinced that their dominance is inevitable. As such, the earlier educational stakeholders embrace this new concept and equip the learner with modern literacy skills, the better it would be for the collective benefits of instructors and learners.