The State of Digital Literacy in Canada

One of the challenges in synthesizing research on the subject of digital literacy is the sheer number of sources, as well as the fact that the concept intersects with many others, such as computational thinking, coding, e-literacy, media literacy, ICT skills, STEM, and so on. [...] The focus on coding as a crucial skill for the economy of the future has arguably obscured the necessity for a broader emphasis on digital literacy as such, as well as the spectrum of skills the digital economy will require by 2020. [...] This review has found several broad themes of focus in the digital literacy: defining the term itself and what skills it comprises (Theme 1), its place in the digital economy and the changing nature of the workplace (Theme 2), how digital literacy can and should be taught from kindergarten to the workforce (Theme 3), and how digital literacy can address and exacerbate. [...] There are evident and substantial gaps in studies on the state of digital literacy in the country, though the topic is gaining momentum, with the majority of relevant studies published in the last two years. [...] Most authors are in agreement that there is no singular definition of digital literacy and no static definition of the skills it comprises – rather, digital literacy is seen by most as the capacity to navigate and adapt to a changing digital environment.