Digital Fluency vs Digital Technologies

This topic of digital fluency or digital technologies builds on from the idea of user vs creator. The core of what launchpad is about!

Digital fluency is the ability to use digital tools (such as computers, tablets, other devices, and software) to achieve learning outcomes. It involves becoming ‘fluent’ navigating a device or using a piece of software like Google Slides, Google Docs, or even Youtube. In this context, children are a user.

Digital Technologies is about helping students to become digitally capable thinkers, producers, and creators of innovative digital solutions. It refers to interventions by design, through the creation and use of digital solutions. In this context, users are a creator.

And this is what it is all about, digital technologies, preparing students for the modern workforce. And if we are being honest, we don’t even know what that workforce will look like when they grow up. We don’t know what kinds of jobs there will be. I mean, when I was growing up it was never a possibility to be able to earn millions playing video games or recording a 30 second dance.
In fact, a recent Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report notes that 40 percent of jobs created between 2005 and 2016 were in digitally intensive sectors. So it’s safe to say the workforce is changing, and while we don’t know where it will end up for our students – we know the direction the ship is sailing.

Our students need to be prepared to work and participate in tasks that are increasingly needing more specific technological skills, knowledge and capabilities.