Digital intelligence is the sum of social, emotional, and cognitive abilities that enable individuals to face the challenges and adapt to the demands of life in the digital world. [1] An emerging intelligence fostered by human interaction with information technology, it has been suggested that recognition of this intelligence will expand the scope of teaching and learning in the 21st century [2] and all aspects of one's personal and professional lives. [3]
The term is also used in businesses to refer to the information obtained through technologies and making use of them as an online marketing strategy [4] [5] and intelligence in the context of cyber security such as that mapped out by Global Commission on Internet Governance. [6] Digital intelligence in this article refers to a new type of intelligence as a human capacity that combines knowledge, ways of knowing and the ability to interact effectively in a cultural or community setting. [2]
Digital intelligence or digital intelligence quotient (DQ) has been defined as "a comprehensive set of technical, cognitive, meta-cognitive, and socio-emotional competencies that are grounded in universal moral values and that enable individuals to face the challenges and harness the opportunities of digital life" by DQ Institute. [1] DQ does not merely refer to the skills needed to use technology more effectively or being aware of potential dangers for children who are constantly online. [7] According to DQ Institute, DQ is all-encompassing in that it covers all areas of individuals' digital life that ranges from personal and social identities of individuals to their use of technology, their practical, operational and technical capabilities critical for daily digital lives and careers and the potential safety and security issues in this digital age. [8]
DQ is important in today's world as everything is technologically driven; if people do not develop a certain level of digital intelligence, they will be precluded from an increasingly digital world. [9] As such, it is said to be essential to develop digital intelligence from an early age. [10] [11] DQ is also viewed to be measureable and highly learnable. [11] [12] [13]
Rather than being defined as the commonly accepted form of intelligence, DQ could be understood more in line with the multiple intelligences theory by Gardner; it might be akin to a "meta-intelligence – one that is composed of many constituent intelligences". [2]
In the same way that intelligence quotient (IQ) and emotional intelligence (EQ) measure general and emotional intelligences, digital intelligence quotient (DQ) can be further deconstructed into eight key areas: digital identity, digital rights, digital literacy, digital use, digital communication, digital safety, digital emotional intelligence, and digital security. [14] Given that "respect" is a fundamental moral principle of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the guiding principles of an individual's digital life within the eight DQ areas are respect for: oneself, time and the environment, life, property, others, reputation and relationships, knowledge and rights. [8]
Within these eight areas, there are three levels of maturity: [9]
As such, there are 24 digital competencies consisting of various knowledge, skills, attitudes and values.
In addition, DQ further suggests there are eight key digital citizenship competencies for children. [12] [15] They are digital citizen identity, screen time management, digital footprint management, cyber bullying management, digital empathy, privacy management, critical thinking, and cyber security management.
It has been suggested that young learners need to be armed with these competencies, rooted in universal moral values, in order to be good digital citizens [9] [16] and "help them make informed choices and navigate the digital world safely". [15] The efficacy of the DQ Digital Citizenship framework was researched and developed through the development of DQworld.net, a digital media platform that aims to teach and assess children on digital citizenship, moral character and critical thinking and was awarded two UNESCO prizes. [17] [18]
The DQ framework was developed by DQ Institute and has been agreed upon by OECD Education 2030 [19] and IEEE Standards Association as a benchmark for global alignment in September 2018. [20] The DQ framework is said to encompass the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values needed by individuals to thrive successfully in this digital world and be confident in meeting the challenges and demands of the digital era, and is the aggregation from 25 leading global frameworks. [15] [21] It is also built on the OECD's Education 2030 Learning Framework to create a guide for nations to develop their national education and policies on digital intelligence and is adaptable as the technological world evolves. [20]
Apart from this, there is currently no other structural model of DQ based on the definition of DQ as a human capability. [13] So far, only the citizenship level test, known as DQWorld.net, has been developed. [22]
While DQ may be criticized, in terms of it not really being any intelligence, the DQ framework "reflects very well the areas that can be reliably claimed to find their reflection in school curricula", which includes areas essential for present and future life. [10]
Digital intelligence quotient (DQ) was first coined and its framework created in 2016 [7] by Yuhyun Park. It was developed by the research team based at various universities, including Nanyang Technological University, the National Institute of Education in Singapore, and Iowa State University. The concept and structure was published by the World Economic Forum in 2016 and since then, the DQ framework has been widely used by organizations from a myriad of industries locally and internationally.
In September 2018, the Coalition for Digital Intelligence (CDI) – formed by IEEE Standards Association, the DQ Institute and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) – institutionalized the DQ framework by DQ Institute as a global framework for digital intelligence which includes a common set of definitions, language, and understanding of comprehensive digital literacy and skills that can be adopted by nations worldwide. [20]
In the effort to coordinate worldwide efforts in setting global standards for DQ, the inaugural DQ Day was launched on 10 October 2019 by DQ Institute and IEEE SA. [23] [24] According to Yuhyun Park, setting global standards for digital intelligence "is to ensure that everyone around the world, starting with our children, has equal opportunity to thrive in this digital age'. [23] IEEE SA adds, "a global standard that sets common indicators for more comprehensively and collectively understanding the existing challenges that digital skill-promoting efforts face and a common language is foundational to ensuring that digital literacy and competency efforts are coordinated globally and moving the right direction". [23]
The DQ framework was identified as the best practice to be used as a global industry standard for digital skills by the IEEE Digital Literacy Industry Connections program and there is an initiation of preliminary work under IEEE SA to develop an IEEE global standard for Digital Literacy, Skills and Readiness using the DQ framework. [25]
The DQ Institute was born through a project named Shaping Future Implications of Digital Media for Society in association with the World Economic Forum, having identified the need for improved digital media literacy or "digital intelligence (DQ)" across various demographics and more critically in youth. [26] The Institute is a multi-stakeholder consortium of organizations focused on increasing DQ in youth around the world and has been the driving force in launching the Coalition for Digital Intelligence (CDI). [26]
This community-led initiative is tasked with evangelizing the institute's DQ framework across the public education and private ICT sectors as the single framework of reference, which is to be used as (i) a common source of definitions around digital skills and literacy, and (ii) a capacity building and DQ measurement platform. [26] The programs based on the DQ framework are poised to be rolled out by DQ Institute to more than 100 countries by 2020. [22] The primary target will be schools and education ministries in countries experiencing rapid digital transformations. [22] The goal is to help governments understand the level of digital citizenship among students and teachers and to help them develop their own DQ curriculum within three years. [22] The DQ Institute has joined forces with some big organizations, including Google, Twitter and the United Nations children's charity UNICEF, and it has received government funding from Singapore and Mexico. [22]
DQ Every Child (#DQEveryChild) is a global digital citizenship movement seeking to empower every child worldwide with DQ digital citizenship. It makes use of an online gamified platform to educate and assess children with digital citizenship skills based on the DQ framework. [27] #DQEveryChild was created as a research-based social initiative developed in Singapore through a multi-stakeholder collaboration including Nanyang Technological University, Singtel, the Singapore government, and infollutionZERO in Korea. [28] It has since transformed into a global movement – run by the DQ Institute – an international coalition formed through the World Economic Forum. [28]
Since then, #DQEveryChild reached numerous countries such as Korea through the support of UNICEF, [22] Nigeria through World Economic Forum, [15] Turkey through Turkcell, [29] Singapore through the Ministry of Education and Singtel, [17] Mexico through the Ministry of Public Education, [28] India [9] and others. As of 2019, the #DQEveryChild initiative has reached more than 700,000 children in 107 countries and has been translated into 21 languages. [30] [31] [32]
Based on the DQ framework, the DQ Global Standards Report 2019 was launched on 22 March 2019 at the seventh annual Global Education and Skills Forum (GESF). [33] [34] The report was spearheaded by Dr Yuhyun Park and co-authored by Professor Douglas Gentile of Iowa State University. [35] It is the world's first attempt to define a global standard for digital literacy, skills and readiness across the education and technology sectors and establish a global, common language and set of norms around the digital competencies. [33] [34] The OECD, the Forum, the World Bank, and the United Nations have all identified these digital competencies in the DQ framework as fundamental for future readiness. [33] [34]
The DQ Global Standards is the culmination of the successful collaboration across global public, private, and civic education and technology communities that began with the launch of the CDI at the Sustainable Impact Summit, the World Economic Forum in September 2019. [33]
There are concerns over complacency in that if a child is noted to have high DQ, it might be treated as a substitute for parental control. [22]
Whitney DeCamp, a sociologist at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, suggests that "the DQ categories are too broad, so less-risky behaviours are lumped into the same category as more-harmful ones." [22]
Literacy is the ability to read and write. Some researchers suggest that the study of "literacy" as a concept can be divided into two periods: the period before 1950, when literacy was understood solely as alphabetical literacy ; and the period after 1950, when literacy slowly began to be considered as a wider concept and process, including the social and cultural aspects of reading and writing and functional literacy.
The knowledge economy, or knowledge-based economy, is an economic system in which the production of goods and services is based principally on knowledge-intensive activities that contribute to advancement in technical and scientific innovation. The key element of value is the greater dependence on human capital and intellectual property as the source of innovative ideas, information and practices. Organisations are required to capitalise on this "knowledge" in their production to stimulate and deepen the business development process. There is less reliance on physical input and natural resources. A knowledge-based economy relies on the crucial role of intangible assets within the organisations' settings in facilitating modern economic growth.
Media literacy is an expanded conceptualization of literacy that includes the ability to access and analyze media messages as well as create, reflect and take action, using the power of information and communication to make a difference in the world. Media literacy applies to different types of media and is seen as important skills for work, life, and citizenship.
The Association of College and Research Libraries defines information literacy as a "set of integrated abilities encompassing the reflective discovery of information, the understanding of how information is produced and valued and the use of information in creating new knowledge and participating ethically in communities of learning". In the United Kingdom, the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals' definition also makes reference to knowing both "when" and "why" information is needed.
Technology governance means the governance, i.e., the steering between the different sectors—state, business, and NGOs—of the development of technology. It is the idea of governance within technology and its use, as well as the practices behind them. The concept is based on the notion of innovation and of techno-economic paradigm shifts according to the theories by scholars such as Joseph A. Schumpeter, Christopher Freeman, and Carlota Perez.
Information and communications technology (ICT) is an extensional term for information technology (IT) that stresses the role of unified communications and the integration of telecommunications and computers, as well as necessary enterprise software, middleware, storage and audiovisual, that enable users to access, store, transmit, understand and manipulate information.
Computer literacy is defined as the knowledge and ability to use computers and related technology efficiently, with skill levels ranging from elementary use to computer programming and advanced problem solving. Computer literacy can also refer to the comfort level someone has with using computer programs and applications. Another valuable component is understanding how computers work and operate. Computer literacy may be distinguished from computer programming, which primarily focuses on the design and coding of computer programs rather than the familiarity and skill in their use. Various countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States, have created initiatives to improve national computer literacy rates.
Soft skills, also known as power skills, common skills, essential skills, or core skills, are psychosocial skills generally applicable to all professions. These include critical thinking, problem solving, public speaking, professional writing, teamwork, digital literacy, leadership, professional attitude, work ethic, career management and intercultural fluency. This is in contrast to hard skills, which are specific to individual professions.
Technological literacy is the ability to use, manage, understand, and assess technology. Technological literacy is related to digital literacy in that when an individual is proficient in using computers and other digital devices to access the Internet, digital literacy gives them the ability to use the Internet to discover, review, evaluate, create, and use information via various digital platforms, such as web browsers, databases, online journals, magazines, newspapers, blogs, and social media sites.
Digital literacy is an individual's ability to find, evaluate, and communicate information using typing or digital media platforms. It is a combination of both technical and cognitive abilities in using information and communication technologies to create, evaluate, and share information.
The National Educational Goals, also known as the Goals 2000Act were set by the U.S. Congress in the 1990s to set goals for standards-based education reform. The intent was for certain criteria to be met by the millennium (2000). Many of these goals were based on the principles of outcomes-based education, and not all of the goals were attained by the year 2000 as intended. Many see this as the predecessor to the No Child Left Behind program, which mandated measurable improvement in student achievement across all groups. Goals 2000 established a framework in which to identify world-class academic standards, to measure student progress, and to provide the support that students may need to help meet the standards.
The term digital citizen is used with different meanings. According to the definition provided by Karen Mossberger, one of the authors of Digital Citizenship: The Internet, Society, and Participation, digital citizens are "those who use the internet regularly and effectively." In this sense, a digital citizen is a person using information technology (IT) in order to engage in society, politics, and government.
MediaSmarts is a Canadian non-profit organization and registered charity based in Ottawa, Ontario, that focuses on digital and media literacy programs and resources. In particular, the organization promotes critical thinking via educational resources and analyzes the content of various types of mass media.
"Fourth Industrial Revolution", "4IR", or "Industry 4.0" is a neologism describing rapid technological advancement in the 21st century. The term was popularised in 2016 by Klaus Schwab, the World Economic Forum founder and executive chairman, who asserts that these developments represent a significant shift in industrial capitalism.
Global citizenship education (GCED) is a form of civic learning that involves students' active participation in projects that address global issues of a social, political, economic, or environmental nature. The two main elements of GCE are 'global consciousness'; the moral or ethical aspect of global issues, and 'global competencies', or skills meant to enable learners to participate in changing and developing the world. The promotion of GCE was a response by governments and NGOs to the emergence of supranational institution, regional economic blocs, and the development of information and communications technologies. These have all resulted in the emergence of a more globally oriented and collaborative approach to education. GCE addresses themes such as peace and human rights, intercultural understanding, citizenship education, respect for diversity and tolerance, and inclusiveness.
21st century skills comprise skills, abilities, and learning dispositions identified as requirements for success in 21st century society and workplaces by educators, business leaders, academics, and governmental agencies. This is part of an international movement focusing on the skills required for students to prepare for workplace success in a rapidly changing, digital society. Many of these skills are associated with deeper learning, which is based on mastering skills such as analytic reasoning, complex problem solving, and teamwork, which differ from traditional academic skills as these are not content knowledge-based.
TVE refers to all forms and levels of education which provide knowledge and skills related to occupations in various sectors of economic and social life through formal, non-formal and informal learning methods in both school-based and work-based learning contexts. To achieve its aims and purposes, TVE focuses on the learning and mastery of specialized techniques and the scientific principles underlying those techniques, as well as general knowledge, skills and values.
Gender digital divide is defined as gender biases coded into technology products, technology sector, and digital skills education. It can refer to women's lack of access to, use of, and professional development in computing work. The gender digital divide has changed throughout history due to social roles, economics, and educational opportunities.
Sustainable Development Goal 4 is about quality education and is among the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations in September 2015. The full title of SDG 4 is "Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all".
Anja Kaspersen is a director for Global Markets Development, New Frontiers and Emerging Spaces at IEEE, the world's largest technical professional organisation. Kaspersen is also a senior fellow at Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs where she co-directs the Artificial Intelligence Equality Initiative with Wendell Wallach. With scholars and thinkers in the field of technology governance, supported by Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs and IEEE, Kaspersen and Wallach provided a Proposal for International governance of AI.