In today’s information-saturated world, digital literacy is a cornerstone of modern education. For students in grades 1-5, building these skills early can foster critical thinking, ethical online behaviour, and the ability to evaluate information effectively. Saskatchewan’s curriculum provides a strong foundation for this work, emphasizing inquiry, critical thinking, and responsible citizenship. By integrating insights from resources such as “The Science of Fake News” by John Spencer, “Why Do We Fall for Fake News?” by TED-Ed, and “Developing Critical Literacies,” educators can build lessons that resonate with students and prepare them for the digital age.
Understanding Digital Literacy
What is Digital Literacy?
Digital literacy is more than just knowing how to use technology; it’s about critically engaging with content, navigating information ethically, and creating responsibly. For young learners, this involves:
- Recognizing the difference between credible and misleading information.
- Understanding the basics of intellectual property and digital citizenship.
- Developing critical thinking about the media they consume and share.
The NCTE Framework for Literacy in a Digital Age provides a roadmap for integrating these concepts into education. By focusing on the development of skills like collaboration, ethical participation, and critical analysis, we can empower students to thrive in a digital world.
Connections to the Saskatchewan Curriculum
Saskatchewan’s curriculum encourages inquiry-based learning and critical thinking, making it an excellent foundation for digital literacy education. Key subject connections include:
English Language Arts (ELA):
Students learn to assess the credibility of texts, identify perspectives, and understand the purpose of communication. Extending this to digital texts teaches them to evaluate websites, blogs, and videos for bias and reliability.
Social Studies:
Students explore their roles as responsible citizens. This can include discussions on ethical behavior online, such as respecting others’ ideas and privacy.
Health Education:
Topics like online safety and mental health can be integrated, helping students recognize the effects of screen time and cyberbullying.
Science and Technology:
Inquiry projects can involve researching reliable sources online, reinforcing critical thinking and proper attribution of information.
Implementing the NCTE Framework
The NCTE framework outlines five key aspects of literacy in a digital age. Here’s how these goals could be adapted for grade 1-5 students to demonstrate proficiency and fluency with technology tools.
Sample Lesson: “Detecting Fake News”
Grade Level: 4-5
Objective: Teach students how to evaluate the credibility of online content.
Activity: Watch “The Science of Fake News” and discuss key takeaways.
Present two articles on a similar topic—one credible, one not—and guide students through evaluating them using a rubric.
Facilitate a class discussion about why fake news spreads and its effects, referencing insights from the TED-Ed video.
Have students create a poster or infographic on how to spot fake news, incorporating tips from the activity.
Curriculum Connection: Links to ELA (text analysis), Social Studies (responsible citizenship), and Arts Education (design and presentation).
Conclusion
Teaching digital literacy to elementary students in Saskatchewan equips them to navigate the complexities of the digital world. By aligning with the Saskatchewan curriculum and leveraging resources like “The Science of Fake News,” “Why Do We Fall for Fake News?” and “Developing Critical Literacies,” educators can foster a generation of informed, ethical and empowered digital citizens.