What is digital literacy? Understand it simply like this

What is digital literacy? Understand it simply like this

 You are reading what I am writing online. This is possible only through internet. We are now in the world of internet. If you are not aware/aware of this, you can make many mistakes.

Just like some time ago there was a debate that a person should be literate. In the same way, the debate has started that people should be digitally literate today. Digital literacy is also a necessity today. Today we are discussing this topic.

Literacy literally means the ability to read something and write something. At least being able to read what you want to read, being able to express what you want to say in writing is literacy.

There is a belief that a person who has three R's (Reading, Writing and Reasoning) i.e. Reading, Writing and Reasoning is literate.

There are different types of literacy. Like; Financial literacy, cultural literacy, health literacy, media literacy etc.

Literacy in Nepal

During the Rana rule in Nepal, there was a ban on education for common people. Therefore, there were very few educated or literate people in Nepal at that time. After the end of the Rana regime in 2007, there was a revolution in the education sector.

With the end of Rana rule, the importance of literacy in Nepal is increasing. Various programs have been conducted to make Nepal a literate country. However, this plan has not yet been fully successful.

But it started with Nepal's first five-year plan (2013-2018). Major literacy was included in the plan. Since then, many works have been done continuously to make Nepal literate.

Digital Literacy in Nepal

Recently, there has been a debate about digital literacy in Nepal as well. The government has also made it a priority.

President Bidya Devi Bhandari has announced on behalf of the government that the digital literacy program will be launched in the financial year 2079/80. She made this announcement while presenting this year's policy and program.

To support this program, the World Bank is working under the Digital Nepal Acceleration (DNA) project.

In Nepal, this project is being conducted with the aim of expanding broadband access and engaging more people in digital economies.

Digital Literacy

All of us should know about 'Digital Literacy' which is in much discussion now. With the word 'digital' comes information and communication technology.

Yes, this is the ability to navigate (communicate) in the digital world using technology, digital literacy. Digital literacy is the ability to receive/give information in the digital world using technology, evaluate it and store it if necessary.

Digital literacy is very necessary and important in today's technology world. It helps us stay civilized and safe while on the internet.

Most of us are spending time on the internet. Because of that, we are leaving many footprints there. If they are not safe, we will have to suffer huge losses. Digital literacy is the only way to save us from those possible digital accidents.

Now the world is not going to turn back from the world of internet. The only option now is digitization. Every activity we do will now be done digitally through the Internet.

At that time, people who do their work using technology are digitally literate. However, people who only watch movies on mobile phones, phones and laptops and depend on other people for simple tasks are not digitally literate.

This means getting technology is not just digitalization. He has to communicate in the digital world by using the technique called Sart.

Who is called digital literate?

You may also have found us on the Internet. This is a digital skill. If so, will anyone who gets internet and technology become digitally literate!

To know this, you have to do these exercises prepared on the basis of a report prepared by UNESCO on digital literacy. If you answered yes to most of these questions then you are a digital literate.

Do you know about digital devices and software? Are you able to operate them?

Can you use digital technologies to find what you want on the Internet? Can you analyze them, store them?

Can you communicate and collaborate with others using digital technologies? Can you protect/manage your digital identity?

Can you create digital content? Do you know how copyrights apply to those materials?

Do you know about digital devices, personal/environmental safety, privacy protection, etc.?

Do you have knowledge about the problems that arise when using digital technology and their solutions? Do you have the ability to use them to create new knowledge?

Do you have the skills to understand, analyze and evaluate specialized digital technologies? Do you have knowledge about which digital tools and technologies to use in which field?

The above questions provide a broad definition of digital literacy. These questions cover all areas and geography. That's why anyone in the world asks these questions and gets the answer to the question 'Is he digitally literate?'

Digital literacy is a broad subject. Its dimensions are many. If Nepal really wants digitization, the first condition is that citizens should be digitally literate. But unfortunately, Nepal has not yet become fully literate.

Government's Digital Nepal framework is in the implementation phase. Why the need for digital literacy in Nepal? What is the situation? What is the government doing about this? I will soon bring another one covering such topics.