Online and digital literacy is integrated well before children enter the classroom, in most cases. According to this PDF by Elizabeth R. Kazakoff and Common Sense Media, the average first use of a computer is at three and one half years of age and more than one half of children under the age of eight have access to "Smart" apps. However, it should be noted that there is a great divide between children from low income and high income families. Children from lower income families are at a much higher disadvantage when considering technology use in young children. So as an elementary school teacher, I must take into account the background experience when integrating technology very early on in schooling. I have to be aware that many of my students come to school with experience using forms of digital media, however, differentiation must occur for students with little or no experience.
What do you think? As an educator, parent, or other, do the children you have experience with know how to use a computer, download or use apps? At what age did this begin? How do we overcome the obstacles that children may face with regard to digital literacy?
What is digital literacy? Definition
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