This week’s resources covered three major topics in digital education: critical thinking, equity in digital spaces, and digital health ergonomics. Thomas Land’s discussion on critical thinking emphasized logic and clarity as essential digital literacy skills. Maha Bali’s work challenged us to consider who is included or excluded in digital learning. Lastly, UVic’s ergonomics resources reminded us that learning and working online must not come at the expense of physical health. This mix of philosophical, cultural, and practical insights helped deepen my understanding of how to navigate and shape digital learning environments more thoughtfully.

One of the most powerful takeaways from this week was Maha Bali’s emphasis on equity in digital learning spaces. Her reflections highlight that access is more than just having Wi-Fi or a laptop it’s about being seen, respected, and heard in virtual classrooms. This made me consider how my own online behaviors such as whose work I comment on, or which voices I amplify impact the inclusivity of my learning communities. In parallel, the ergonomics module grounded the discussion in the body, reminding me that learning is not just mental but physical too.

Points:

  • Critical Thinking (Land, 2025): Encourages learners to slow down, analyze assumptions, and build logical arguments skills crucial for evaluating online content.
  • Digital Equity (Bali, 2025): Calls for socially just digital practices, recognizing systemic barriers and promoting diverse perspectives in educational tech.
  • Ergonomics (UVic Human Resources, 2025): The Office Self-Inspection Checklist and stretch suggestions promote healthy habits during long digital sessions.
  • Cultural Practice: The idea of equity is not just policy it’s about how we engage every day, including whose content we comment on, reshare, or ignore.
  • Pedagogical Application: Instructors can embed equity by designing inclusive assignments, using flexible tools, and addressing accessibility proactively.

This week emphasized that digital education is never just about tech it’s about people. Critical thinking sharpens our minds, ergonomic awareness supports our bodies, and equity ensures we build just, inclusive communities. Reflecting on these together underscored how interconnected digital literacies really are, and how mindful we must be in practicing them.