The Importance of Digital Literacy for Adult Students




Digital literacy is very important in today’s day and age. Many adult students do not know how to use a computer (keyboard & mouse skills; software, internet & function; how to create an email address, open an email, & send an email; software navigation; powerpoint presentations; excel spreadsheets; how to format a document or how to access platforms or community resources on their phone on their computer). Digital literacy is also crucial for adult students to know when they are entering the workforce or attending school. In today’s day and age, it is quite impossible to avoid using technology of any sort whether it be a laptop, desktop computer, tablet, smart phone, or apple watch, etc. Most employers won’t think twice about hiring someone who does not possess digital literacy skills. Also, many adult learner parents or caregivers are motivated by goals such as becoming more engaged with their children’s school and teachers; connecting with other parents and caregivers; and being better informed about their children’s education and development. These goals can take the form of communicating with teachers, the school principal, and other parents about school issues; completing school surveys; accessing school resources; and researching education options for middle school, high school, and college. All of these activities require basic digital literacy skills.


The Covid-19 Pandemic was proof that adult students needed to learn how to video call in order to communicate with fellow classmates. Also, another example is if the teacher assigned classes on google classrooms, students had to make sure they know how to use templates on Google Docs in order to do their homework, study for tests/quizzes, submit assignments, projects, etc. Here are skills that matter and can all be credited to digital literacy: communication, critical thinking, problem solving, navigating systems, processing & analyzing information, and self-awareness. These skills all benefit adult students while they use digital literacy. 


When it comes to Digital Literacy, what’s important to remember for Adult students is that we should focus on teaching them how to use these computer based skills to apply them to real life. As a teacher, you can begin with direct instruction for computer skills development and reinforce how these skills can be applied in daily life. Traditional explanation modeling and controlled activities can help students understand and develop basic computer skills. However, if they do not have a chance to use the skills, they will likely not be able to transfer the skills to relevant context outside of the classroom. Second, ensure that students know relevant vocabulary to support their computer use. Third, allow ample opportunity for self-directed work that enables students to make choices when applying their computer skills & dealing with challenges that arise. Although direct instruction on discrete skills can be helpful, the teacher should then quickly provide relevant application activities. Lastly, meet students where they are offering opportunities to learn new computer skills or work toward higher-level digital literacy competencies as they become ready. Many adults do not access the Internet in their daily lives due to a perceived lack of relevance or they feel scared to use the computer.This means that instruction in a group setting must be highly differentiated to overcome students feeling that computer skills are not for them. Digital literacy development is a critical component of adult education. Classrooms are filled with adults who may have had interrupted formal education who might be developing literacy for the first time or who may be struggling with numeracy or English language proficiency. For these learners, digital literacy can support the acquisition of skills & knowledge in a range of academic contexts. This means that the role of the teacher is twofold. To ensure that learners have foundational skills and to help them leverage those skills for learning. In this way, teachers can not only support the achievement of academic content goals, but also can help support students’ resilience, better preparing learners to fluently use digital technologies as they move through their day.