Digital Literacy

Education news, analysis, and opinion about students’ ability to use technology 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.
Photo illustration of student with laptop.
Anderson Piza/iStock/Getty
Classroom Technology What Kids Say They Need to Understand How AI Works
A National 4-H Council survey explores kids’ knowledge and use of artificial intelligence.
Lauraine Langreo, March 7, 2024
4 min read
A group of researchers studies elements impacted by artificial intelligence
Kathleen Fu for Education Week
Classroom Technology 8 Tips for Schools to Avoid Chaos in the Age of AI
Most district leaders are in the beginning stages of figuring out how to integrate AI into K-12 education.
Lauraine Langreo, February 19, 2024
6 min read
Elementary, Middle, and High-school age children interact with a giant artificial intelligence brain.
Kathleen Fu for Education Week
Classroom Technology What Is Age-Appropriate Use of AI? 4 Developmental Stages to Know About
Child development experts and teachers offer advice on when K-12 students should start using AI-powered tech and for what purposes.
Arianna Prothero, February 19, 2024
11 min read
Custom illustration by Taylor Callery showing a glitchy rendition of Taylor Swift split with a collage of pixelated non recognizable images which show the idea of a "deep fake' version of Taylor Swift while a young female is shown in the background holding a phone and looking over her shoulder at T Swift in the background. T Swift is breaking apart with subtle use of pixels.
Taylor Callery for Education Week (Image of Taylor Swift: AP)
Classroom Technology How Taylor Swift's Experience With 'Deepfakes' Can Help Students Examine AI Ethics
Teachers shouldn't wait until the next big news event to teach students about deepfakes, experts say.
Alyson Klein & Lauraine Langreo, January 30, 2024
6 min read
Illustration of robot hand holding stack of books.
DigitalVision Vectors / Getty
Classroom Technology Bipartisan Bill in Congress Seeks to Help Schools Teach AI Literacy
The technology is increasingly critical to many fields, but too few Americans comprehend its power and potential pitfalls, lawmakers say.
Alyson Klein, December 21, 2023
2 min read
Illustration of individual carrying binary data on his back to put back into the organized background of 1s and 0s.
iStock/Getty Images Plus
Privacy & Security Q&A AI Is Making Data Literacy a 'Survival Skill' That Schools Must Teach, Experts Argue
A new survey found that more than two-thirds of U.S. adults don't understand how their data is being used.
Lauraine Langreo, November 16, 2023
4 min read
Illustration of an AI chatbot assist on the face of a cellphone tutoring a kid student doing homework with subject matter icons floating all around him.
iStock/Getty
Classroom Technology Students Want to Learn More About AI. Schools Aren't Keeping Up
Students want more guidance on technology use from their schools, a survey shows.
Lauraine Langreo, November 10, 2023
1 min read
Conceptual illustration of young character looking through the magnifying glass at open laptop Search bar
Nadia Bormotova/iStock + Education Week<br/>
Classroom Technology Opinion Students Are Easily Duped Online. We Can Teach Them Better
It’s hubris to assume we can always spot online misinformation, writes Sam Wineburg. These research-backed tips can help.
Sam Wineburg, October 17, 2023
4 min read
Image illustrating the green light and cautions when it comes to ChatGPT.
Laura Baker/Education Week via Canva
Classroom Technology Opinion AI Can Teach Students a Powerful Lesson About the Truth
ChatGPT is the most exciting technology I have ever encountered. Here’s how I’m harnessing it in the classroom.
Rachna Nath, September 7, 2023
3 min read
Photo of teacher helping students with their tablet computers.
iStock / Getty Images Plus
Teaching Q&A Schools Are Teaching Digital Literacy and Citizenship. But Are They Doing It Right?
New research illuminates how schools are tackling digital and media literacy as tech plays an increasingly larger role in students' lives.
Arianna Prothero, July 13, 2023
4 min read
Computer and desk with overlay of digital images
Peshkova/iStock/Getty<br/>
Teacher Preparation 7 Strategies to Prepare Educators to Teach With AI
Before educators can use AI to teach, they need to have a basic understanding of what AI is, experts said.
Lauraine Langreo, June 27, 2023
3 min read
Photo collage of computer with pixelated image of girl.
F. Sheehan for Education Week / Getty
Classroom Technology Explainer AI Literacy, Explained
Now that AI is expected to influence fields from medicine to policing, what do students need to understand about the technology?
Alyson Klein, May 10, 2023
10 min read
Illustration of mobile phones, tablet and laptops with different climates.
Dan Page for Education Week
Classroom Technology From Our Research Center Most Teens Learn About Climate Change From Social Media. Why Schools Should Care
Teens are getting information on climate change from YouTube and Facebook, underscoring the need to teach media literacy in schools.
Arianna Prothero, January 30, 2023
9 min read