Digital literacy

Introduction
The development of technology and technological tools nowadays have put us teachers in a big challenge, because we have to learn many new things in which our students are usually more competent than we are.
This new generation is the technological generation. Kids nowadays know how to handle a computer, a wii, cellphones, dvds and use internet (and its tools) without any explanations, like we used to do with toys. If you do not believe me, just ask a kid about facebook and how to use it, or about twitter, to name some of them.

What is Digital Literacy?
Digital literacy, according to Wikipedia, is just that "the ability to locate, organize, understand, evaluate, and create information using digital technology"
According to Gilster (1999) digital literacy is “the ability to understand and use information in multiple formats from a wide range of sources when it is presented via computers”
Among the competences of digital literacy we may find: information processes, reading comprehension of oral and written texts, writing skills, social networks, among others.

Digital Competences a XXI EFL teacher should have
Teachers should learn how to use technology outside and inside the classrooms and take advantages of the useful tools that it (internet, technology, ipods...) offers us.
A XXI EFL teacher should know what new tools are available, how they work, what the advantages and disadvantages of those tools are. A teacher should be updated in technology, know how to handle it and use the benefits it offers.
You are welcome to have an immersion in technology and use it wisely!!

References
Gilster (1999) Ethics and electronic information
http://www.aea1.k12.ia.us/techdocs/SandBox/PPT/Copyright_Pres.pdf
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_literacy