A Methodology for Deploying a Digital Literacy Framework for Diverse Socioeconomic and Sector Contexts

Abstract

Digital literacy (DL) skills are widely recognized as important for education, employment, and entrepreneurship around the world. They have been organized into frameworks to guide the design of digital literacy education, training, and assessment for a macro-level population. However, local contexts that vary in terms of digital technology practices, infrastructure, and socioeconomic and other developmental factors may challenge the deployment of a digital literacy framework. This chapter introduces the Digital Literacy Pathway Mapping Methodology to guide policy makers, local/international organizations, NGOs, educational institutions, etc., to identify high-priority digital literacy skills and to design context-appropriate digital literacy education, training, and assessment. The methodology entails identifying and comparing current and prospective case examples of digital technology usage for a target context. Three possible progressions of digital literacy skills have been identified to correspond to different demands in changing contexts. Furthermore, the methodology takes account of different essential aspects of the broader social context in order that the resulting development is compatible with the local needs: Diverse socioeconomic and sector contexts, essential and supporting roles and people groups, and existing popular digital technology practices. The methodology also facilitates stakeholder collaboration to customize a digital literacy development plan. The chapter presents a comparison of case examples of technology usage illustrative of the methodology.