Title:	DIGITAL LITERACIES – A CRUCIAL REQUIREMENT FOR A SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC FUTURE IN AN INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE-BASED SOCIETY?
Author(s):	Lydia Bauer
ISBN:	978-972-8939-31-1
Editors:	Piet Kommers, Tomayess Issa and Pedro Isaías
Year:	2010
Edition:	Single
Keywords:	Digital Literacies, Digital Inequalities, Skill-intensive Professions, Qualitative Study, Information- and Knowledge-based Society
Type:	Reflection Paper
First Page:	321
Last Page:	325
Language:	English
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Paper Abstract:	Information and communication technologies (ICT) are and will be most important driver for fundamental changes in the professional world. Consequently digital literacies, interactive skills enabling employees for successful use and application of these technologies, can be seen as crucial prerequisites to partake in the employment market, especially regarding skill-intensive professional categories. Yet empirical studies mostly conducted quantitative methods to actually gain an overall review regarding the digital development stage of employees throughout Europe. Interviews with self-assessed answers regarding the personal degree of digital skills cannot identify the actual stage of individual digital development. Therefore qualitative research is still required otherwise intervening activities and programs for career advancement and training on the job will not be effective. On the other hand it is still not clear, whose responsibility it is to foster these required competencies even though there is political, educational and economical demand. To overcome these challenges this paper discusses the prerequisites and will give preview to a study on the qualitative analysis of digital literacies in skill-intensive professions. The study will contribute to unveil what the new media technologies is actually changing in our working environment on a micro level and how to empower employees in an “e-permeated” (Martin 2006) society.
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