General Capability – Digital Literacy
This year the staff of the College have been engaging in the General Capabilities of the Australian Curriculum. We have begun to investigate how they link to the virtues and how they could be a vehicle for developing a practical application of the virtues in their learning as well their social interactions.
Digital literacy involves students critically identifying and appropriately selecting and using digital devices or systems, and learning to make the most of the technologies available to them. Students adapt to new ways of doing things as technologies evolve, and protect the safety of themselves and others in digital environments.
It is divided into four strands each with three sub-elements:
Practising digital safety and wellbeing
- Manage online safety
- Manage digital privacy and identity
- Manage digital wellbeing.
Investigating
- Locate information
- Acquire and collate data
- Interpret data.
Creating and exchanging
- Plan
- Create, communicate and collaborate
- Respect intellectual property.
Managing and operating
- Manage content
- Protect content
- Select and operate tools
The General Capability of Digital literacy provides an avenue to explore and explicitly teach the practical application of the Cardinal Virtues in personal learning to navigate the challenges that accompany the use of technology.
At the College we are aware of the ever changing social, political, technological and cultural landscape. We live in the world of the iGeneration and Screenagers. The technology of iPhones, iPods, and iPads open up the world, particularly through social media, that can powerfully shape attitudes and behaviours. How do we, in partnership, as a College, Families and Parish prepare the students to navigate these dangerous waters?
In this world of the iGeneration the following iWords, that are underpinned by the Cardinal Virtues, help in framing an approach to building the capacity to use technology wisely:
- identity: developing a deep understanding of the dignity of the human person in themselves and others, created in the image of God
- inquiry: stimulating curiosity; awakening a sense of wonder and appreciation where students are empowered purposeful learners who engage in critical thinking, problem-solving and ask important, penetrating questions to seek the truth in the tradition of St Thomas Aquinas
- interaction: promoting collaboration, learning partnerships and communication through justice, fortitude, temperance, and wise decision making.
- initiative: fostering self-directed, personalised and purposeful learning, particularly through the development of self-regulation and self-reflection
- imagination: nurturing and cultivating creativity through literature, visual arts, music and drama
- intuition: assisting students to learn how to feel and recognise truth with their hearts and minds based on the teachings of sacred scripture, sacred tradition and the magisterium of the Catholic Church.
- integrity: developing their character where they demonstrate morality, honesty, trustworthiness, reliability and they take responsibility for their actions.
God bless,
David Williams