Unit 7: Digital Literacy

Write answers of the following short response questions.

Q.1. Differentiate between basic literacy and digital literacy.

Ans: Basic Literacy is the term used for the ability to read, write and communicate information effectively.

Digital literacy is the ability to create information in a digital environment. It refers to the ability to effectively use digital technologies to access information.

Q.2. Suggest strategies for integrating digital literacy into computer graphics.

Ans: To integrate digital literacy into computer graphics, students should learn to use digital tools like MS Paint, PowerPoint, or Canva to create visual content. They must be encouraged to research design ideas online, choose the right tool for the task, and understand how to organize information visually. Presenting their graphics improves communication and critical thinking, making technology to express ideas creatively.

Q.3. Describe the role of books in verifying information for academic purposes.

Ans: Despite all the modern advancements in science and technology, books are still thought to be the most reliable and authentic source of information. Even in some fields of life, books are considered to be more reliable as compared to the internet and other web sources, e.g. religion and history etc. Therefore, books are the most reliable, common and authentic source of information to be communicated to the target audience.

Q.4. Discuss the relationship between communication, collaboration, and digital literacy.

Ans: Communication: The objective of digital literacy is to communicate the collected information to the target audience effectively. Good communication skills clearly express thoughts and opinions. It also includes appropriate online behavior, etiquette, netiquette and other digital communication protocols.

Collaboration: The use of digital devices involves networking and collaboration with other people across distances. Online meetings, document sharing, shared projects and activities are part of digital literacy:

Digital Literacy: It is the ability to collect, understand and evaluate information from various sources. Digital literacy begins with knowing how to find information online. You can find information by using search engines like Google, Bing, Yahoo etc. or websites to look for relevant information.

Q.5. Do you think that X (Twitter) plays a vital role in opinion-making about any social issue? Support your answer with three arguments.

Ans: Yes, X (Twitter) plays a vital role in opinion making about any social issue. Users share news, opinions and events more frequently as compared to other social media platforms. It offers a live streaming feature through its Periscope feature. It also allows users to share short videos called Vines. X (Twitter) is a popular platform for news, discussions, and debates. Many celebrities and influencers use X to connect with their fans.

Q.6. Outline effective strategies for identifying and countering online disinformation.

Ans: Identifying and countering online disinformation is essential for staying informed and digitally responsible. Here are some effective strategies:

Verify the Source:

Always check if the information comes from a reliable and well-known source. Look for author credentials and official websites.

Cross-Check Information:

Compare the content with trusted news outlets or official statements to confirm its accuracy.

Check the Date:

Ensure the information is current and not outdated or taken out of context.

Use Fact-Checking Websites:

Refer to platforms like Snopes, FactCheck.org, or AFP Fact Check to verify suspicious claims.

Report False Content:

If you come across disinformation, report it to the platform so action can be taken against misleading content.

These strategies help promote safe and responsible use of digital media.

Q.7. Differentiate between poster designing and billboard designing.

Ans: Poster Designing:

To design an effective poster, certain principles should be kept in mind. First, the poster should present the clear purpose of its creation. It should give the message for which it is designed. Poster should be simple and concise as well as attractive to capture the attention of the audience. It should be visually appealing. The color scheme should be according to its topic. Different design elements, like shapes, text, and graphics, should have harmony.

Billboard Designing:

The billboards are huge in size and made to attract the audience on the go. Therefore, an attractive billboard design will attract the audience otherwise, it might be ignored and does not serve its purpose. The billboard should contain the logo and other brand recognition elements. The key message should be highlighted, and other picture elements should not overshadow the key message.

Q.8. Define social media and describe the significance of YouTube and Facebook.

Ans: Social media refers to online platforms where users can share information and connect with virtual communities through text, video, photos, and other content.

Significance of YouTube:

It is a social media platform commonly used for reels and video sharing. It is also used for live streaming. This platform is open to all users across the world. People or users can upload their personal or professional video content. You can communicate your message across the world by using this platform. Similarly, you can watch content shared by other users as well.

This platform is effectively used for learning and entertainment purposes.

Significance of Facebook:

This social media platform is used for networking purposes. You can use it by creating your personal profile on Facebook and sharing your pictures, videos, reels, and live streaming with trusted friends and family members. It is also used for marketing purposes. Various businesses can create their Facebook page, where they can display their messages, advertisements and other information. This information is visible to all the people who are members of that Facebook page.

Write answers to the following extended response questions.

Q.1. Explain the role of information collection in the field of digital literacy.

Ans: Role of Information Collection:

To communicate and publish key ideas and details to a variety of audiences, first, we need to collect information to be communicated. This information can be collected through various sources. In other words, we must have some information in hand to communicate it. The role of digital literacy is how beautifully and effectively we can communicate this information to our target audience. We will see the traditional sources of information and types of information to be communicated.

The following are some common sources of information:

Books:

Despite all the modern advancements in science and technology, books are still thought to be the most reliable and authentic source of information. Even in some fields of life, books are considered to be more reliable as compared to the internet and other web sources, e.g. religion and history etc. Therefore, books are the most reliable, common and authentic source of information to be communicated to the target audience.

Web Sources:

The internet is the most common source of information nowadays. Suppose you want to find some entertainment point for a person of any age or want to find or confirm some information, the internet is the most commonly available source.

Surveys and Google Forms:

All the required information is not always present in books or available online. Some information is supposed to be collected by you. For example, if you want to know about the popularity or success of a new course offered in your school, you cannot get information from the internet. The right people to provide you with the desired information are the students or teachers who are directly learning or teaching that course in your school. You can conduct a survey to collect that information.

Q.2. Analyze the key components of digital literacy and their significance.

Ans: Components of Digital Literacy:

Digital Search/Information Literacy:

It is the ability to collect, understand and evaluate information from various sources. This unit emphasizes this component of-digital literacy. Other components will be discussed in detail in advance grades.

Technical Skills:

The technical knowledge and skill to use digital devices is required to communicate the information in digital form. The ability to use smartphone, digital cameras, computers, microphones and related devices is needed for digital literacy.

Communication:

The objective of digital literacy is to communicate the collected information to the target audience effectively. Good communication skills clearly express thoughts and opinions. It also includes appropriate online behavior, etiquette, netiquette and other digital communication protocols.

Collaboration:

The use of digital devices involves networking and collaboration with other people across distances. Online meetings, documents sharing, shared projects and activities are part of digital literacy: To develop digital citizenship and responsibility for correct information is also required in a healthy collaborative environment.

Digital Content Creation:

The final product of the entire process is the digital content created for the audience. This content can be in the form of a graphical poster, Facebook post, YouTube video or some research paper. The other form of digital contents can be presentations, videos, interactive stories, online tutorials, webinars, audiobooks, blog posts, infographics, animations, quizzes, simulations, and games etc.

Ethics and Responsibility:

The digital content has no boundaries. Therefore, higher standards of ethics and responsibility are required. These ethical standards involve cultural, social, and religious boundaries.

Q.3. Define information extraction and its purpose.

Ans: Information extraction:

Information extraction is the process of automatically identifying and retrieving specific, meaningful data from large volumes of unstructured or semi-structured digital content such as web pages, emails, news articles, reports, and social media posts. Unlike structured data (such as data in tables or databases), unstructured data is more complex and harder to analyze directly, which is why information extraction is important.

Purpose:

Organizing Unstructured Data:

Most digital information is unstructured. Information extraction helps organize it into a structured form (like lists, databases, or spreadsheets) so that it can be more easily understood and analyzed.

Time Efficiency:

Instead of reading through long documents or webpages manually, information extraction allows users or systems to automatically pull out the most important facts – such as names, locations, dates, events, or keywords – saving time and effort.

Data Analysis and Decision-Making:

Extracted information can be analyzed for trends, patterns, or insights that are useful in research, business planning, policy-making, and more.

Support for Search Engines and Al:

Search engines use information extraction to provide relevant results.

Similarly, digital assistants (like Siri or ChatGPT) rely on IE (Information Extraction) techniques to understand and respond accurately to user queries.

Academic and Professional Use:

In education, students and researchers use information extraction to summarize texts, cite key points, or gather information for reports and presentations. In professional settings, businesses use IE (Information Extraction) for market research, customer feedback analysis, and competitor monitoring.

Q.4. Illustrate the use of images and graphics in billboard design.

Ans: Images and graphics play a vital role in billboard design by quickly grabbing attention and delivering a clear message to viewers passing by. Since billboards are usually placed in high-traffic areas like roadsides and highways, they must convey their message within seconds.

Key Uses:

Attracting Attention:

Bold, high-quality images or illustrations help catch the viewer’s eye from a distance, even in a crowded visual environment.

Supporting the Message:

Graphics can reinforce the written message. For example, an image of a cold drink on a hot day instantly communicates refreshment.

Enhancing Visual Appeal:

Well-designed visuals make the billboard more attractive and memorable, increasing the chances that viewers will recall the product, service, or cause.

Simplifying Communication:

Since there’s limited space and viewing time, images help replace long text with visual storytelling, making the content easier to understand at a glance.

In summary, effective use of images and graphics makes billboard design more powerful, direct, and memorable.

Q.5. Discuss the impact of social media on contemporary communication, referencing YouTube and WhatsApp as examples.

Ans: Impact of Social Media on Contemporary Communication:

Social media has significantly reshaped the way people communicate in the 21st century. It has made interaction more instant, wide-reaching, and versatile than ever before. The two popular platforms – YouTube and WhatsApp – clearly illustrate this impact.

YouTube:

YouTube has transformed communication by turning video content into a powerful tool for information sharing. Users can upload, watch, and comment on videos related to education, entertainment, technology, and countless other fields. This platform allows creators from different parts of the world to reach global audiences, breaking down geographical and cultural barriers. Moreover, features such as live streaming enable real-time engagement between creators and viewers, enhancing interaction and feedback.

WhatsApp:

WhatsApp has changed personal and professional communication by offering services like instant text messaging, voice notes, video calls, and document sharing. It connects people regardless of location, making conversations possible anytime and anywhere. WhatsApp groups are especially useful for team coordination, family connections, and study discussions, enabling multiple users to participate in one conversation simultaneously. Its end-to-end encryption ensures secure communication, which is crucial in both personal and business contexts.

Overall Impact:

The rise of social media platforms like YouTube and WhatsApp has made communication more interactive, accessible, and fast. People no longer rely solely on face-to-face meetings or traditional media; instead, they can share ideas, information, and opinions with millions in real time. This has influenced not only social interactions but also education, marketing, entertainment, and global awareness.

Select the best answer for the following MCQs.

1. Which term is used for the ability to effectively use digital technologies to access information, evaluate it and convert it into meaningful and appealing format?

a) Literacy

b) Digital Literacy

c) Social Media

d) Information

2. What is the best way to collect information about a topic you are interested in?

a) Ask your friend

b) Read a random book

c) Search online and ask experts

d) Guess the information

3. What is the benefit of using Google forms for information collection?

a) Collect small amount of data

b) Quickly analyze and summarize data

c) Get historical data

d) Visualize data

4. What is the most important step to convert information into graphics?

a) Decide the purpose of graphics tool

b) Select the right tool

c) Check the local laws

d) Decide the number of design elements

5. Which of the following is the primary purpose of billboard design?

a) Showcase company’s identity

b) Entertain the audience

c) Grab attention of the audience

d) Provide details of the company

6. What is the primary benefit of using podcasts as a learning tool?

a) To provide a brief overview of a topic

b) To present information in an interactive way

c) To provide a platform for international news

d) To facilitate language learning

7. What is the role of a podcast host?

a) To present their own opinion

b) To facilitate discussion and guide the conversation

c) To criticize the guest speaker

d) To praise the guest speaker 

8. Which is the most common usage of social media besides audio and video calls?

a) Education

b) Sharing necessary updates

c) Translation

d) Web Surfing

9. Which social media platform is mostly used for educational tutorials, skill teaching, and entertainment video content?

a) YouTube

b) Facebook

c) Instagram

d) Podcast

10. Which social media platform is mostly used for news, discussion and opinions?

a) Facebook

b) YouTube

c) X (Twitter)

d) Instagram