Digital skills are now considered essential to fully participate in modern society.

We live in a rapidly changing world where technology shapes how we work, communicate, shop, learn and connect with each other. For both educators and learners, digital literacy is no longer optional – it is foundational to participation, wellbeing and success in education and beyond.

What is digital literacy?

Digital literacy is the ability to find, evaluate, create and communicate information using digital media and technology platforms.

This includes:

• hardware or device skills – eg, using computers, smartphones, ATMs or ticketing machines
• software skills – eg, navigating operating systems, apps, websites, search engines and social media
• language and symbol fluency – understanding the meanings of digital terms, tech vocab, emojis and memes across various digital environments.

In the 2023 PIAAC Survey of Adult Skills, 29 percent of adults in New Zealand scored at or below Level 1 in adaptive problem-solving skills – a category that includes essential digital capabilities. This suggests nearly one-third of adults in Aotearoa may face challenges using digital tools to navigate daily life and learning.

Skills in New Zealand: Survey of Adult Skills 2023 – Education Counts

Supporting learners’ digital literacy is key to fostering digital inclusion and equity, as well as building critical and creative thinking skills for a digital future.

Explore resources and pathways

Digital Literacy Educator Pathway – Pathways Awarua

This is a free, self-directed online course for educators to grow their digital capability and support learners in developing theirs. The Digital Literacy Educator Pathway currently features four collections:

• Collection 1 – looks at what digital literacy is, presents a range of digital literacy frameworks, and explores the interplay of digital literacy and remixing
• Collection 2 – has a wealth of resources, strategies, icebreakers, and activities for teaching digital literacy
• Collection 3 – helps you familiarise yourself with 250 specialised words for digital literacy
• Collection 4 – is about cyber security and covers key areas to help educators securely navigate the digital world.

Digital Skills: Level 1 – Digital Passport

This free online course introduces the basics of computers and using the internet. You’ll learn how to stay safe online, social media platforms, image and video editing tools, virtual reality and more. 

Digital content: finding, evaluating, using and creating it – National Library

This resource for educators about digital content is from the National Library of New Zealand’s Services to Schools initiative.

Scoping a Digital Skills Framework for Aotearoa New Zealand – Ako Aotearoa (PDF 4 MB)

This 2023 discussion paper scopes current digital skills development in Aotearoa, with international insights.

Digital inclusion, equity and accessibility

Consider how your learning environment, platforms or resources can better serve learners with diverse needs and strengths. Creating inclusive and accessible digital experiences is critical. Everyone – including disabled learners and users of assistive technology – should be able to access digital education and public services.

Key guidance:

Web Accessibility Guide – NZ Government

The NZ Government Web Accessibility Standards offer practical advice for anyone developing or delivering digital content. 

Digital and Information Systems – Access Matters Aotearoa

This webinar from the Kōrero for Change series highlights digital equity and inclusive technology practices in education. 

AI and digital literacy: where they intersect

While AI literacy and digital literacy are distinct, they are increasingly interconnected. Using AI tools requires digital access and confidence, while critically evaluating the information AI produces requires advanced digital and academic literacies.

Educators can help learners bridge this gap by embedding AI discussions into digital literacy learning, and encouraging responsible use and ethical reflection.