Mastering Digital Literacy: Skills for the Modern World Computer Studies JSS 3 First Term Lesson Notes Week 5

Subject: Computer Studies

Class: JSS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 5
Age: 13 – 15 years
Topic: Digital Literacy

Sub-topic: Definition and Characteristics of Digital Literacy

Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioral Objectives:

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

Define digital literacy.
Identify the key characteristics of digital literacy.
Explain the importance of digital literacy in daily life.
Recognize the role of digital literacy in communication and learning.

Keywords:

Digital Literacy
Communication
Information Technology
Critical Thinking
Problem-Solving

Set Induction:

Ask students how they use smartphones, computers, or the internet in their daily activities. Use their responses to introduce the concept of digital literacy and its importance in today’s world.

Entry Behavior:

Students are familiar with using mobile phones, social media, and basic internet searches.

Learning Resources and Materials:

A short video on digital literacy
Infographics explaining digital literacy concepts
Projector or whiteboard for visuals

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:

Students know how to perform online searches and use social media for communication. This prior knowledge will help them connect with the topic.

Embedded Core Skills:

Digital literacy
Communication
Critical thinking

Reference Books:

Lagos State Approved Computer Studies Textbook
Online articles on digital literacy

CONTENT

Definition of Digital Literacy:

Digital literacy is the ability to use digital devices, communication tools, and networks to access, understand, create, and share information effectively. It includes skills like browsing the internet, using apps, communicating online, and protecting personal data.

Characteristics of Digital Literacy:

Effective communication: Ability to communicate via emails, chats, and social media.
Critical thinking: Evaluating online information to determine its credibility.
Problem-solving: Using technology to solve practical challenges.
Creativity: Using digital tools to express ideas, such as creating videos or presentations.
Information management: Finding, organizing, and storing digital information efficiently.
Awareness of online safety: Understanding how to protect personal data and avoid online threats.

15 Fill-in-the-Blank Questions with Options:

__________ literacy involves the ability to use technology effectively.
a) Computer
b) Digital
c) Manual
Answer: b) Digital
One key characteristic of digital literacy is __________ thinking.
a) passive
b) emotional
c) critical
Answer: c) critical
Digital literacy allows people to __________ with others online.
a) ignore
b) communicate
c) block
Answer: b) communicate
Effective digital literacy includes the ability to manage __________.
a) books
b) physical tools
c) information
Answer: c) information
__________ is a skill that involves solving problems using technology.
a) Critical thinking
b) Problem-solving
c) Digital storage
Answer: b) Problem-solving
A digitally literate person knows how to protect their __________ online.
a) phone number
b) personal data
c) books
Answer: b) personal data
__________ is the ability to evaluate information found online.
a) Problem-solving
b) Critical thinking
c) Communication
Answer: b) Critical thinking
Digital literacy includes the use of __________ to express ideas.
a) apps
b) old tools
c) letters
Answer: a) apps
Social media is a platform where digital literacy helps with __________.
a) fighting
b) communication
c) confusion
Answer: b) communication
One must be __________ of online threats to practice good digital literacy.
a) aware
b) careless
c) ignorant
Answer: a) aware
Searching for information on the internet is part of __________ literacy.
a) manual
b) digital
c) mechanical
Answer: b) digital
Digital literacy helps in finding, storing, and __________ information.
a) deleting
b) organizing
c) misplacing
Answer: b) organizing
Email is a tool used for __________ communication.
a) offline
b) effective
c) blocked
Answer: b) effective
__________ tools are used to create videos and presentations.
a) Physical
b) Digital
c) Paper-based
Answer: b) Digital
Protecting oneself from online fraud is part of being __________ literate.
a) socially
b) digitally
c) physically
Answer: b) digitally

15 FAQs with Answers:

What is digital literacy?
It is the ability to use technology to find, understand, and communicate information.
Why is digital literacy important?
It helps people communicate, solve problems, and protect themselves online.
What is an example of digital literacy?
Sending an email or using a search engine to find information.
What role does critical thinking play in digital literacy?
It helps in evaluating the reliability of online information.
How does digital literacy promote communication?
It allows people to connect through emails, social media, and chats.
What is online safety in digital literacy?
It involves protecting personal data and avoiding online risks.
How does problem-solving relate to digital literacy?
It involves using technology to overcome challenges.
What is information management?
Finding, organizing, and storing digital data efficiently.
Can creativity be part of digital literacy?
Yes, using digital tools to create presentations or videos is creative.
What platforms encourage digital literacy?
Social media, learning apps, and search engines.
Why is it important to organize digital information?
It makes it easier to find and use the information when needed.
What are some online threats?
Fraud, hacking, and phishing scams.
How does digital literacy help with online learning?
It enables students to access and use learning platforms.
Can digital literacy improve job opportunities?
Yes, many jobs require basic knowledge of digital tools.
What tools can digitally literate people use?
Email, apps, and search engines.

10 Evaluation Questions:

Define digital literacy.
List two characteristics of digital literacy.
What is critical thinking in digital literacy?
Give an example of digital communication.
Mention two benefits of being digitally literate.
Why is problem-solving important in digital literacy?
How does digital literacy promote online safety?
What is information management?
Explain how creativity relates to digital literacy.
Mention one tool used for digital communication.

Digital Divide (Features of the old and new economy)

The digital divide is the gulf between those who have ready access to technology and those who don’t.

In today’s economy, having access to technology is more important than ever. Technology allows businesses to connect with customers and suppliers all over the world, and gives employees the ability to stay connected and productive from anywhere.

But not everyone has access to technology. The digital divide is the gulf between those who have ready access to technology and those who don’t. This divide can be seen in both developed and developing countries, and it’s a problem that needs to be addressed.

There are a number of reasons why the digital divide exists. In developed countries, the cost of technology can be a barrier for some people. In developing countries, infrastructure limitations can make it difficult or even impossible to get online.

The digital divide has a number of consequences. Those without access to technology are at a disadvantage when it comes to finding jobs and accessing education and healthcare. They’re also more likely to be cut off from the wider world, and miss out on the economic and social benefits that come with being connected.

The digital divide is a problem that needs to be addressed. There are a number of ways to do this, including providing subsidies for technology, investing in infrastructure, and increasing access to education. With the right policies in place, we can close the digital divide and create a more connected world.

Limitations of the Old Economy

Time Constraint and Time Consuming: Nobody would carry out business when the market was closed. Also, long hours were used in carrying out activities, because these were done manually.
Limited Space: The old economy depended on physical space such as market places and offices before business transaction could take place. Commodities, services and ideas cold not travel far. It covers small area.
Distance: The old economy depended on physical contract as a result business transaction would not take place if there was a distance barrier.
Labour-based: There was minimal use of technology in the old economy, human efforts were invested, and it was hard to operate. Jobs that will require the pressing of some few buttons by an operator on a computer always take lots of people to be done in the old economy.
Tedious and Boring: The old economy is not interesting to use, in most cases it is only one-way, unlike the new economy that you can use various methods and various electronic gadgets to achieve your aim.
Papers and Files: The old economy needs keeping a large volume of data on the shelf unlike the new economy which has created a paperless environment in which information can be stored or retrieved through digital media instead of paper.

Benefits of Digital Divide Economy

The Digital Divide refers to the gap between those who have access to the internet and those who don’t. While this may seem like a small issue, it actually has far-reaching consequences. Here are some of the ways in which the Digital Divide can impact people’s lives:

– Low capital to start business: businesses require less capital to get started in the digital age. All you need is a computer and an internet connection, and you’re good to go.

– Low unemployment: the Digital Divide can actually help to reduce unemployment levels. This is because people who have access to the internet can work from home, meaning they don’t have to commute or take time off work to look for a job.

– immunity to boom macroeconomic cycle: businesses and individuals who are connected to the internet are less affected by economic downturns. This is because they can continue to operate and even thrive during times of recession.

– Creating of new jobs: the Digital Divide can actually help to create new jobs. This is because businesses can reach a larger audience online, and they can also offer services that wouldn’t be possible without the internet.

– Improved education: the Digital Divide can improve access to education. This is because people who have internet access can find and use educational resources that would otherwise be unavailable to them.

BENEFITS OF THE NEW ECONOMY

Globalization: New Economy has turned the whole world into a global village. Space and distance is no barrier.
Job Creation: It creates a lot of job opportunities for those who have the required education and training and for those with less education and training. The phone call centre operators, Cyber cafes, industries, computer firms, telecommunication companies etc provided employment opportunities to thousands of people.
Low capital to start business: It requires very little capital to start, e.g. starting a phone call centre.
It widens knowledge: It broadens the knowledge of its operators through education, training and experience. It gives room for effective sharing of information making the society knowledge-based.
Digital Economy: New economy has changed the economy of many countries of the world into a digital one. Today we now have digital camera, digital tape, digital video, digital watch etc.
High Output: There is high output in the new economy unlike the old economy where the output is low.
Electronic Commerce: Through the new economy, buying and selling is now carried out electronically.
Technology Driven: The new economy is controlled by the kind of technology employed.
Easy Transfer of Data: Business Transactions are made easy because of availability of information and transfer of data.

These are just some of the ways in which the Digital Divide can impact people’s lives positively.

EVALUATION

1. What are some practical ways to use search engines?

2. How can keyword research help you find the right keywords?

3. What are advanced search operators and how can they be used?

4. Why is it important to use keywords in the title of your content?

5. How can you avoid keyword stuffing?

6. Mention two benefits of the digital divide new economy.

7. Mention two disadvantages of digital divide.

8.Mention and explain five limitations of the Old Economy.

9. Mention and explain five benefits of the New Economy.

Weekend Assignment:

In a tabular form, state two (2) differences between the features of the old and new economy.
____ refers to the gap between people with effective access to digital and information technology and those with little or no information at all.
Old economy b. New economy c. Digital Divide d. Developing economy
Features of old economy include all the following except
It is time consuming b. It is labour based it is mechanical d. technology driven
All the following are features of new economy except
It is Digital Time, space and distance is irrelevant c. It is technology driven d. it is labour based

Conclusion:

Digital literacy equips individuals with the skills to navigate the digital world effectively. It involves communicating, solving problems, managing information, and staying safe online, making it essential for modern education and everyday activities.