Reconceptualizing Digital Literacy Through Critical Pedagogy: Implications for Technology Integration and Social Transformation in Education

Abstract

This study explores the integration of critical pedagogy with digital literacy, aiming to reconceptualize digital literacy beyond its traditional focus on technical proficiency and operational skills. Traditional digital literacy models emphasize the ability to navigate and use technology, primarily focusing on operational tasks such as managing digital devices, utilizing software, and performing specific functions. However, these models often overlook the broader implications of technology on society, including its role in shaping power dynamics and perpetuating social inequalities. By integrating critical pedagogy, this study argues that digital literacy should not only encompass technical skills but also encourage learners to critically assess the social, political, and cultural implications of digital tools. The critical digital literacy approach promotes social justice, equity, and empowerment by encouraging learners to question, reflect on, and challenge the ways in which technology influences their lives and society at large. Through critical engagement with digital tools, learners are empowered to challenge existing power structures, fostering social transformation. The study discusses how educators can integrate critical digital literacy into teaching practices, moving beyond traditional skill based models by encouraging critical thinking, ethical use of technology, and a deeper understanding of the role digital technologies play in shaping societal structures. Moreover, the study highlights the transformative potential of critical digital pedagogy, proposing it as a tool for educational equity and social change. By reconceptualizing digital literacy through a critical pedagogical lens, this study offers a framework that empowers students to become not just proficient digital users but active participants in societal transformation, contributing to a more inclusive and just digital future. The study also suggests areas for future research, including empirical investigations on the practical implementation of critical digital literacy frameworks across various educational settings and contexts.