Digital Literacy & Technology Security

By -

 


Digital literacy skills are critical for an informed and productive citizenry, as a gateway to social, political, educational, and economic participation (Southern Regional Education Board, 2018). This statement illustrates the overall importance of ensuring students are informed of the best practices associated with technological usage and how to navigate their experiences online properly and safely. In addition to this, technology security was examined and introduced the responsibility of digital learners in not only protecting their own personal information but their potential areas of employment as well. According to the Southern Regional Education Board (2018):

Technology security is a global issue for education, government, military, business, and private individuals. Today all technology systems, from learning management systems to institutional networks, access points, wi-fi networks, enterprise resource planning, and student information systems, need technology security extending from the user level to the network, institution and beyond, including vendor partners.

Taken as a whole, both digital literacy and security are intrinsically connected, further highlighting the importance of training and development to better educate students/employees on how to effectively protect their personal or organizational data from unauthorized breaches.

I understand that both concepts are universally important, especially considering that a large majority of social interaction now takes place exclusively online or through completely digital means. It doesn’t take much to fall prey to someone seeking to obtain sensitive information, so it is absolutely vital to learn how hackers coordinate their attacks and to better inform users of not only how to identify potential threats, but how they should be addressed to their IT coordinators for further examination.

I would like to further examine digital literacy for research at some point. The following article provides more information on digital literacy and how it compares to a similar, yet fundamentally different concept in digital citizenship:

 https://educationtechnologysolutions.com/2018/02/digital-citizenship-vs-digital-literacy-difference/

 

Southern Regional Education Board. (2018, February). 10 Issues in Educational Technology. SREB. https://www.sreb.org/sites/main/files/file-attachments/10issues_v8-web_version_accessible.pdf?1521568731

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Instructional Innovation & Competency Based Learning

By -
Image
    More schools and colleges are seeking new and innovative learning models to provide students with greater engagement, flexibility, and control of their learning experience. (Southern Regional Education Board, 2018). This statement embodies much of what I learned this week and ties together how multiple components factor into the modern educational experience for students. Instructional innovation highlights the many ways that technology is currently reshaping how we learn, including mobile learning, social connection, and student-based creation. Competency-based education coupled with adaptive learning allows students to gain knowledge at their own pace while using periodic assessment to gauge competency, while ensuring mastery of concepts before allowing students to move forward within a course. Familiarizing myself with concepts such as this will continue to expand my knowledge and understanding of educational technology, especially as it relates to specific frameworks such
Read more

Predictive Analytics & Emerging Technologies

By -
Image
According to Porter & Balu (2016) predictive modeling estimates individuals’ potential outcomes by testing models that use data on subjects whose determined outcomes are already known. While predictive models and analytic data accompany traditional business and marketing efforts, in recent years, they have become a major component in public education. Using data and models to better align learner performance and outcomes is now a focal point of many educational entities. In this same context, emerging technology almost necessitates the need for data analysis and predictive models. In that regard, technology continues to change and must be utilized in ways to better serve students and learners based on their individual and collective needs. It is necessary for me to stay informed on trends such as predictive analysis and emerging technology, not only as a future instructional technologist, but as someone who values continuing the learning experience myself and expanding my knowl
Read more

ESSA & the Texas Education System

By -
Image
In our week two discussion the focus on assessment we began last week was expanded to the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and how it applies to the Texas system of educational standards. The U.S. Department of Education (n.d.) describes ESSA as the following: Passed with bipartisan support and signed by President Obama in December 2015, the ESSA requires states and districts to ensure that all students, including children with disabilities, English learners, and other historically underserved groups, graduate high school ready for college or a career. With the information and resources provided, I was able to put together a working understanding of how ESSA will affect Texas education initiatives and standards currently and moving forward. Researching the TEA (Texas Education Agency) Strategic Plan established in 2017 highlighted the agencies goals in terms of four strategic priorities:         Recruit, support, and retain teachers and principals           Build a foundation
Read more