Digital Literacy Definition
The university definition will be used to support digital literacy efforts across the university, including curricular and co-curricular.
Digital literacy is the ability to use, create, evaluate, and engage critically with digital technologies to complete tasks safely and ethically in professional and civic contexts.
For example, digitally literate students use digital technologies to*:
• Address and solve problems
• Collaborate and communicate
• Create (e.g., digital media, tools, art)
• Curate and manage content
• Access and evaluate data and information
• Evaluate digital tools
*this is intended to be a non-exhaustive list of examples
Background
In the 2023-24 academic year, the University Academic Senate (UAS) passed a motion approving the recommended definition of digital literacy. The provost approved the recommendation April 10.
The definition was the first phase of the work. The second phase is to propose a Digital Literacy Inventory. The digital literacy inventory work is planned for the 2024-2025 academic year, led by a task force appointed by the provost.
A Digital Literacy Action Committee (DLAC), a new administrative committee, has also been formed. The DLAC aims to promote the elevation of digital literacy at GVSU – through curriculum development, co-curricular initiatives, and facilities initiatives. The committee will build a digital literacy community as part of the Blue Dot Ecosystem with the goal of integrating digital literacy across the university. The committee will identify and encourage new curricula and co-curricular activities, champion facilities projects to support digital literacy efforts, and communicate updates on digital literacy to the campus community.