You can define tech literacy simply as a baseline proficiency in all things tech. It bears the term "literacy" because technology is like a language; it has its own jargon, quirky terminology and rules. Understanding it takes time and effort, especially if you didn't grow up around it (as readers born before the millennial era can attest).
Simple tech literacy might involve being able to use the internet. But profound tech literacy involves feeling confident accessing, using, understanding and managing advanced technological tools, including emerging technologies. It is this latter form of tech literacy that we're primarily discussing today.
Why Tech Literacy Is Important
In a fast-paced world defined and delineated by technology, tech literacy has become an essential proficiency. Increasingly, people use technology to invest in stocks, order an evening meal, buy and sell real estate, and keep in contact with loved ones.
Its importance, therefore, is manifold. Before delving further into the specific ways tech literacy benefits people, let's begin with a broad overview of its advantages:
It Can Keep You Informed: As you'll see below, tech literacy is a prerequisite for modern consumerism, arming you with the information and resources you need to be an empowered consumer.
It Can Help You Get Ahead: For years, talent acquisition has centered on a candidate's technological proficiencies. Likewise, career advancement in several sectors is contingent upon an employee's understanding of technology.
It Can Help You Learn: Technology is becoming an ever-present fixture in elementary, secondary, post-secondary and continuing adult education classrooms. Tapping into tech knowledge opens up vast possibilities for learning.
It Can Help Keep You Media Literate: In an era of rampant misinformation, tech literacy helps inoculate you against poorly contextualized data, skewed biases and outright lies.
It Can Help Keep You Secure: Finally, basic tech literacy like password strength, 2FA and data tracking will help you stay secure in an age of online fraud and data misuse.
Those are the "Cole's Notes." Below, let's explore each facet in depth.
As a Consumer
Perhaps the best way to illustrate tech literacy as a consumer is to look at Nobul, a recent real estate tech platform founded by innovator Regan McGee. Before Nobul, real estate buyers and sellers had precious little information and resources to guide their choices.
Nobul stepped in as an end-to-end real estate platform to deliver home buying resources, affordability calculators, and an AI-driven algorithm that helps consumers find the right real estate agent. The company is essentially using heightened tech literacy to shift power to consumers.
In the Workforce
"Once the digital genie is out of the bottle, it can't get stuffed back in. The world isn't going to be pre-digital ever again." The quote from Gudstory article "Digital Literacy & Why It's Important for Your Business," hits the nail on the head.
Not only is tech literacy fundamental on an organizational level (to spur growth and drive efficiency), but it's also pivotal on the employee level. Tech literacy helps people advance their careers and plumb the depths of their potential.
In Educational Settings
Classrooms are increasingly plugged in, and tech literacy is now a prerequisite for executing learning outcomes in all stages of education.
For an in-depth portrait of how tech and education became intermingled, read this informative article from Purdue University. They explain how technology has facilitated extensive "communication and collaboration" and how basic technological literacy fosters accessibility on a fundamental level.
In summary, tech literacy is an extremely important form of modern competence. It can help empower consumers, accelerate organizations, lift employees and advance learning outcomes. As the world becomes increasingly digital, consider what you can do to promote tech literacy.
