The Critical Digital Literacy Canvas (CDLC)

Critical digital literacy (also CDL) is an expanding field of profound importance for the future of both research and pedagogies. It redefines digital literacy from technical fluency to political and ethical agency—to question how platforms, algorithms, and media narratives shape our lives and impact social cohesion, democratic practices and environmental resources.

As part of the BFH strategic priority Humane Digital Transformation, the Social Design team led an interdepartmental project (involving HKB, W, HAFL) to explore the best ways to introduce and support Critical Digital Literacy in our teaching and with our staff.

As part of this project, we developed a Critical Digital Literacy Canvas  for raising awareness on critical approaches to digital literacy and ensuring students' agency in adopting emerging technologies with a critical mindset.

The Critical Digital Literacy Canvas (also CDLC) is a practical tool supporting the design of learning activities and is primarily aimed at educators, while remaining flexible and accessible enough to support anyone interested in its topics.

We aim to make the Canvas a live resource, and we will continue working to improve and update its content, so please do get in touch if you have any questions, suggestions or would simply like to know more about this project: paola.pierri@hkb.bfh.ch