SLC-S29/W6-“Thinking and Ideas!| One Idea Worth Spreading!”
Share one idea you believe could improve lives (locally or globally).
The introduction of universal access to basic digital literacy education is an idea that can go a long way in making life better in the world. Nowadays, the access to the internet is not sufficient and people should be equipped with skills of how to judge the information, how to keep their privacy, how to use technology to study and earn profits.
Governments and nonprofits and corporations such as Google and Microsoft could collaborate to offer free community-based training and easy certification opportunities. Workshops on hands-on skills, including recognizing fake news to virtual job hunting can happen in libraries and schools. Communities benefit through better job creation, enhanced civic engagement and increased resilience in an ever more technological world through the empowerment of individuals with digital competence.
Why is this idea important now?
This concept is of particular significance today due to the fact that everyday life is becoming more and more interdependent on digital mechanisms. Most of the time education, employment applications, banking, medical appointments, and even governmental services are available on the internet. In the absence of digital literacy, individuals face the threat of being left out of the necessary opportunities. The swift increase in artificial intelligence applications, online fraud, and fake news on such websites as Facebook and Tik Tok demands critical thinking skills more than ever before.
The remoteness trends that are increased by the COVID-19 pandemic also resulted in inequalities among those who are not afraid of technology, and those who lack access or training. Through action, we are able to prevent additional inequality and any additional situations in which communities feel secure, self-assured, and able to work fruitfully within an ever more digitized society.
Who do you feel needs to hear this idea the most?
The policymakers, the leaders in the education sector and community decision-makers who decide on the accessibility of learning resources should hear this idea the most. Local and national administrators can invest and introduce digital literacy into the national standards of education. Teachers and school administrators can incorporate useful applications of technology in regular lessons instead of considering them as an extra.
Organizations such as United Nations and World Bank can be led by leaders who can help fund extensive projects in underprivileged areas. Simultaneously, technology company business executives have the leverage and ability to increase free training programs. Once those in institutional power understand that digital literacy is not a luxury, but a core competence, they will be able to establish policies and relationships that provide equitable access to every group.
What is the first small step someone could take to begin?
The simplest micro-attack that a person might have is to arrange a simple, informal, digital skills workshop in his or her community. This may begin with a small number of neighbors, strangers at school or in the workplace or in a library. An individual can offer to provide practical fundamentals such as how to develop strong passwords, how to recognize spam emails or how to search information safely. Structured lessons can be delivered by providing free materials of such organizations as Google or Khan Academy to organize the session.
Even exchanging trustful tutorials via a group chat will trigger learning. Developing small and engaging in practical, everyday skills will help a person gain confidence and momentum, and as time progresses, they will gradually increase the participation levels of more people and establish a culture of collective digital knowledge in their community.
Thanks for reading my post I'm inviting @m-fdo, @okere-blessing and @pea07 to participate.
