8/6/2019 Media Literacy Dossier Deursen and Dijk 2009 SummarybyWang

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Wang, Yinhan; 2011, Media Literacy Dossier: research review 5(Deursen and Dijk 2009), LSE Media Policy Project, April 12.

Full reference details of reviewed article:Deursen, A. J. A. M. v., & Dijk, J. A. G. M. v. (2009). Improving digital skills for the

use of online public information and services. Government InformationQuarterly, 26, 333-340.

Conceptions/definition of media literacy (or related concept) usedThe authors propose a framework of digital skills that distinguishes betweenfour types of skills:

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Operational skills: the skills to operate digital media;- Formal skills: the skills to handle the special structures of digital media

such as menus and hyperlinks;- Information skills: the skills to search, select and evaluate information

in digital media;- Strategic skills: the skills to employ the information contained in digital

media as a means to reach a particular personal or professional goal.(p. 334)

Research method/scope of empirical workThe study asks: (i) whether Dutch citizens have a good level of all the four

digital skills; (ii) whether the possession of digital skills differs among citizens;(iii) how can government improve their online services; (iv): how can thegovernment and other stakeholders improve citizens digital skills level?

Random sample was first selected from phonebook, and then a selectivequota sample was selected for the strata of gender, age and educationalattainment. Resulting sample is 109 citizens, not representative.

Participants completed a test assignment consisting of nine assignmentsintended to test whether they can find the right answer online, and how muchtime it takes. In addition, they filled out a questionnaire collecting demographicand Internet use information.

Key findings- On average, 80% of the operational skill assignments and 72% of the

formal skill assignments were completed. But only 62% of theinformation skill assignments and 25% of the strategic skillassignments were completed.

- Education level and age are the primary and secondary correlatingfactor in the participants level of digital skills performance. However,even though the younger group of participants (18-29) scored higher in

the operational and formal tasks, their score in the information andstrategic tasks are not significantly higher than the older participants.

8/6/2019 Media Literacy Dossier Deursen and Dijk 2009 SummarybyWang

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- Those with more years of Internet experience were able to complete

more operational tasks and spend less time on the tasks. Those whospend more time online weekly also can complete formal Internet taskswith less time.

- As to information and strategic skills, they do not correlate with years ofInternet experience and weekly Internet use time.

Key implications for research and policy-making- Senior people and those with lower education attainment are between

the two groups that have low level of operational and formal skills.Every visit to a new public service website may involve a new learningprocess, which could be taxing for them. The authors suggest that

governmental websites should offer a simple version and an advancedversion, but with the same website design and menu structure,targeted to citizens of various skill levels.

- Government portal website may contain information too excessive inscope and menu design too broad for users, which makes specificinformation search more difficult. Such portal website should stateclearly the purpose, the information source of the website, and whatpeople can expect to find there.

- Childrens digital skills should be enhanced through regular education,focusing especially on information and strategic skills (given thealready high level of operational skills). Parents should also involve

their children more when they use e-government on issues related tothe children.

- As to the elderly, the illiterate, the disabled, and ethnic minority, thereshould be special courses offered to them, adapting to their needs,learning pace and style; government websites should also be designedwith their needs in mind.

- If nothing is done, the information and strategic skill divide willcontinue to widen, with the skilled people being able to take advantageof the Internet to achieve their personal goals, while the less skilledcontinue their struggle to locate correct information.