Digital/AI Literacy

Read more about students’ ability to use technology, including artificial intelligence, to discover, evaluate, and utilize information

Explainer

What Is Digital Literacy?
For educators, digital literacy means much more than learning to read online. Here's a guide to understanding it.
President Donald Trump enters to deliver the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026.
President Donald Trump enters to deliver the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. The president devoted little time in the speech to discussing his education policies.
Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool
Federal Trump Talks Up AI in State of the Union, But Not Much Else About Education
The president didn't mention two of his cornerstone education policies from the past year.
Alyson Klein, February 25, 2026
4 min read
Artificial Intelligence Video Is AI Good or Bad for Schools?
A growing number of educators are experimenting with generative AI. The challenge now is to share those lessons learned and best practices.
Lauraine Langreo & Yi-Jo Shen, February 24, 2026
1 min read
Ballard High School students work together to solve an exercise at MisinfoDay, an event hosted by the University of Washington to help high school students identify and avoid misinformation, Tuesday, March 14, 2023, in Seattle. Educators around the country are pushing for greater digital media literacy education.
Students at Ballard High School in Washington state work to solve an exercise at MisinfoDay, a March 2023 event hosted by the University of Washington to help high school students identify and avoid misinformation.
Manuel Valdes/AP
Curriculum Why Media Literacy Efforts Are Failing to Keep Up With Misinformation
Classroom educators need support from district and school leaders in addressing flashpoint topics.
Alyson Klein, February 19, 2026
5 min read
Photo of male teacher working on laptop computer.
E+
Artificial Intelligence Do Teachers Have the Skills to Use AI? New Test Aims to Find Out
ETS, known for licensing tests, wants to gauge teacher readiness for new technology.
Sarah D. Sparks, February 18, 2026
3 min read
Halftone collage banner with two smartphones and mouth speaks into ear and strip with text - fake news. Halftone collage poster. Concept of fake news, disinformation or propaganda.
iStock/Getty + Education Week
Curriculum Opinion Kim Kardashian Says the Moon Landing Was Fake. There's a Lesson Here for Schools
Teachers can use popular conspiracies to help students scrutinize what they see online.
Sam Wineburg & Nadav Ziv, February 17, 2026
5 min read
Illustration of thief/fisherman catching at (@) symbol.
DigitalVision Vectors
Privacy & Security These Students Tricked Teachers With Phishing Emails—for a Good Cause
The exercise helped students understand how to protect themselves against hackers.
Alyson Klein, February 17, 2026
8 min read
Attendees watch a presentation at the Microsoft booth on how to incorporate artificial intelligence into classroom management at the ISTE conference on June 29, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas.
Microsoft is launching a program to connect educators with their peers and with resources about AI. Attendees watch a presentation at the Microsoft booth on how to incorporate artificial intelligence into classroom management at the ISTE conference on June 29, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas.
Kaylee Domzalski/Education Week
Artificial Intelligence Microsoft Joins Other Companies in Trying to Fill AI Training Gap in Schools
Providing teachers with professional development on AI has been a big challenge for schools.
Lauraine Langreo, February 13, 2026
3 min read
Photo illustration of high school students with pixelated headshots masking their faces.
iStock
Artificial Intelligence Opinion I’m Not Worried AI Helps My Students Cheat. I’m Worried How It Makes Them Feel
AI is undermining students’ trust in a shared reality. Here’s how schools can step up.
Stan Williams, February 12, 2026
4 min read
A vector silhouette illustration of a young boy using electronic devices in various poses including laying down and using a tablet, crouched and using a smart phone, and standing taking a selfie. A multi-coloured wave pattern is the background.
DigitalVision Vectors
Classroom Technology How These Elementary Schools Are Teaching Students Good Digital Habits
Two schools are trying to instill smart tech practices in even the youngest learners.
Jennifer Vilcarino, January 22, 2026
4 min read
Photo illustration of a 3d rendering of a chatbot hovering over a motherboard circuit.
iStock/Getty
Artificial Intelligence 'Dangerous, Manipulative Tendencies’: The Risks of Kid-Friendly AI Learning Toys
Toys powered by AI often generate inappropriate responses to questions.
Alyson Klein, January 22, 2026
4 min read
Hand holding sieve to filter truth from lies, facts from fakes. Concept of media literacy, fake news detection, and critical thinking in digital age.
iStock/Getty
Classroom Technology More States Are Pairing Cellphone Bans With Media Literacy Instruction
Students need to develop the skills to critically analyze the content they view on their phones.
Alyson Klein, January 21, 2026
2 min read
Students in Bentonville public schools’ Ignite program work on projects during class on Nov. 5, 2025, in Bentonville, Ark.
Students in Bentonville public schools’ Ignite program work on projects during class on Nov. 5, 2025, in Bentonville, Ark. The career pathways program emphasizes the development of AI skills.
Wesley Hitt for Education Week
Artificial Intelligence What It Means for a High School Graduate to Be ‘AI-Ready’
Students should learn how to use AI to solve problems, new "Profile of an AI Ready Graduate" says.
Alyson Klein, December 16, 2025
2 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Artificial Intelligence Opinion What Guidelines Should Teachers Provide for Student AI Use?
The goal is to teach students to harness AI to bolster learning and preserve their work's integrity. 
Larry Ferlazzo, December 15, 2025
11 min read
Close up of a young woman holding a smartphone with like and love icons floating around the phone in her hands.
iStock/Getty Images Plus
Student Well-Being & Movement Download How Schools Can Help Students Moderate Their Social Media Use (DOWNLOADABLE)
Hundreds of districts have sued major social media companies over the youth mental health crisis.
Lauraine Langreo & Vanessa Solis, December 12, 2025
1 min read