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economic factors. This transitional stage which students are digitally included.
implies that the future of learning in the The issues through interconnected
21st century will be quite complex. One means of digital inclusion are mapped in
of the complexities relates to digital figure 1. Digital inclusion in education is
inclusion. understood as a blend of digital literacy,
digital skill, and the digital divide. In this
Digital inclusion along with related terms
such as digital equality and digital equity paper, mapping and management of
is used to emphasise the interrelated issues for digital inclusion in education
processes in determining the extent to are discussed.

Figure-1: Interconnected Means of Digital Inclusion
(Author’s Conceptualisation) Digital Literacy (DL)
Digital literacy is defined as the skills and synthesising online sources are
and knowledge regarding the fluent predicted as digital literacy skills.
use of digital tools and resources in
real life situations. It is identified with Mapping Digital Literacy
the use of digital devices and websites Digital generations are engaged with
and is included in learning and teaching technologies. Accurate knowledge
activities (Lindstrom & Niederhauser, of the level of current digital skills
2016). DL refers to the use of and competencies are required.
digital tools to create meaning and Digital literates deal with the basic
communicate effectively with others. DL knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed
behaviours include icon identification, to participate in society through
digital navigation, technical operations online engagement. Digital literacy is
of devices, knowledge of digital developed through digital participation
terminology, user control methods and situational embedding of basic
like scrolling, storage and retrieval and digital competencies. Nevertheless,
use of hyperlink. In addition, coding students lack the inadequate digital
skills, scanning, creating digital texts literacy skills needed for digital learning
and critical skills such as analysing, (Muresan & Gogu, 2013). This may
evaluating online information, blogging, be due to the fact that students are
online social networking, accessing
using technology for social media or

278 Indian Journal of Educational Technology
Volume 3, Issue 2, July 2021