Literacy defined

To understand digital literacy we must first have a full comprehension of what literacy is or what it means to be literate.

According to the Australian language and literacy policy (2001, as cited in Winch, Johnston, March, Ljugdahl and Holliday, 2006, p.xxxiii) "Literacy is the ability to read and use written information and to write appropriately in a range of contexts..."

Literacy is a social skill that is developed from birth. The aim of being literate is so the one has the ability to communicate. How we interpret text, decode and then encode these text enables us to then develop skills to become more adept with our communication skills.

Basic literacy skills are the fundamentals of a literate world. No matter the culture, place, period in history or technological advances. Human beings are a social being and their need to communicate with others is a human survival instinct and the driving force behind the need to become literate.History from the early days of the "cave man" the need to communicate is seen through the use of hieroglyphics, drawings and symbols. Moving through history we see the forming in all cultures a representation of symbols creating individual alphabets. Further moving throughout history we see the technological advances of the introduction of computers with the creation of a new form of literacy skills required. No matter what the advances throughout history the key is for all cultures and ages is the need to communicate.

Living in a multiliterate world and with technological advances, basic fundamental literacy skills must be developed to incorporate digital literacy within our everyday lives.