Do you know the differenece between digital literacy and ICT?

“Literacy includes the ability to read and interpret media (text, sound, images), to reproduce data and images through digital manipulation, and to evaluate and apply new knowledge gained from digital environments.”  (Educause Quarterly)

“When people think of the term ‘literacy,’ what generally springs to mind is reading and writing, speaking and listening . . . Similarly, the term ‘text’ is beginning to be understood as any form of expression or communication in fixed and tangible form[s].” (Digital and Media Literacy a Plan of Action pp. 16-17)

Information Communications Technology focuses on “materials” (e.g. software, hardware, and Internet).  (Frontline: Digital Nation)

Digital literacy is more of a verb whereas ICT is more of a noun.  ICT takes a human to make netiquette decisions when collaborating using web 2.0 tools that are quickly evolving into web 3.0 environments or Semantic Web.  Whatever the case, humans are the final decision makers and that is where digital literacy comes in.    

ICT supports digital literacy by providing 21^st Century resources to stakeholders who want to expand and explore their forms of expression and communication skills.

ICT directly impacts all content areas in our NCSCOS by empowering students with resources that they find interesting while expanding their expression and communication skills.  This becomes clearer as you notice the shift from print to non-print and production/presentation resources typically found in classrooms across the country.  (http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/)  This is also evident as you view the “21^st Century Tools” in the ICT Literacy Maps.

Digital literacy does not replace information literacy.  Digital literacy is a subset of information literacy.  Digital may be web-based, video or audio-based where informational can be from anywhere.  Some educators may prefer the term “digital” to information because it may sound more in tuned with 21^st Century standards.  For example, “[t]o fulfill the promise of digital citizenship, Americans must acquire multimedia communication skills.”  One or two educators cannot champion this movement.  It requires full participation by all stakeholders.  (Digital and Media Literacy a Plan of Action p. vii) 

Digital literacy and ICT are important for teachers and students because, “[t]o be effective in the 21st century, citizens and workers must be able to exhibit a range of functional and critical thinking skills related to information, media and technology.” (Partnership for 21^st Century Skills)