COLLABORATION BETWEEN SCIENCE AND PHYSICAL AND HEALTH EDUCATORS IN PROMOTING DIGITAL HEALTH LITERACY

Abstract

The integration of digital technology into Physical and health education has the potential to revolutionise teaching and learning by enhancing teacher-students participation on engagement and performance. Health literacy is defined as the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information needed to make appropriate health decision. As health-related misinformation proliferates online, the need for effective digital literacy education has become more pressing. This paper explores the significance of collaboration between science and physical and health education educators in promoting digital health literacy in the 21st century. This can be achieved through curriculum integration by gaining knowledge from human biology, epidemiology, and biochemistry among others which address scientific understanding and practical application of health information. The paper, therefore, examine the power of digital technological tools such as mobile health apps, fitness apps and online health information resources to promote health and digital literacy. The paper also emphasized the roles of digital literacy as in promoting public health particularly in preventing chronic, managing mental health and addressing health inequities. Challenges of implementing digital technology in teaching such as insufficient training of staff, inadequate funding, lack of infrastructure and materials were also discussed. Finally, the paper recommended that government should provide fund, gadgets and train more staff in the area of digital technology to promote digital health literacy.