Digital Literacy is a complex term because it is a culmination of multiple things. As Doug Eyman points out, in “Defining and Locating Digital Rhetoric”, it is all about comprehending the digital world, what it means, and how it works. He discusses the possibility of different types of literacy revolving around the digital concept. Computer literacy revolved around the concept too much. Internet literacy was too broad and could reference any electronic device. Technological literacy was also too broad, with no proper specifications. Digital literacy, on the other hand, included visuals, symbols, and digital objects.
A Digital Background
Understanding digital literacy is reliant on having some base knowledge regarding what ‘digital’ means and how it correlates to literacy. The term is difficult to understand if a person doesn’t obtain the basics of varying digital tools and simple programs. In one of my prior blog posts, “Digital: what does it mean?”, I comment on what Eyman believes the term ‘digital’ to mean. I wouldn’t be able to understand it without a base knowledge. Also, understanding Eyman means needing prior knowledge of Eyman and thoroughly reading his paragraphs. He is not the most complicated read, but he takes time and requires analysis.
A Digital Divide
Upon reading Eyman and determine what digital literacy means, I believe that it’s important for everyone to have some kind of knowledge of the term. I don’t think people should go around just not knowing what it means because they’re just holding themselves back. It’s important for people to be digitally literate and aware of what’s going on. Without this knowledge, a divide will be created between those who know, understand, and acknowledge the term, and those who don’t. This divide can mean knowledge isn’t equally distributed or people aren’t absorbing the same information. A divide like this can be harmful. It starts in school- acknowledging the term should begin early so a divide can be avoided, or, at least repaired.
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