According to Gillen and Barton (2010) digital
literacies is defined as “the constantly changing practices through which
people make traceable meaning using digital technologies” (p. 9)
If I think about my literacy experiences during my
undergraduate compared to now working on the M.Ed. program, they are slightly different.
Most nights I can sit in the comfort of my own home and read, go to the
‘library’ and collaborate with classmates through our online platform, texting
or email. I can be almost anywhere and gather information that I need or want
to read about. This is because of how technology has changed. Gillen and Barton explain as per Leu et al,
2004 that the ways in which we obtain knowledge and communicate are changing. These changes provide us with ways to engage
in “new kinds of social activities, civic life, learning and work” (p. 9) In addition to this Wilber (2010) writes that
“new literacies, in contrast with traditional literacies, are more participatory.”
(p 2) What comes to mind here is the use of shared documents in either Google
Drive or OneDrive. Many can access and edit, share, and add information. Within the classroom or in our professional
work, we have programs like Nearpod and
Jamboard where we can share ideas in real time with people in different
locations.
In my role as a teacher, I have seen this change as
well. When I started my career as an educator students relied mainly on books
within the classroom library. They would read them during independent reading,
students would check out books from the school library, and we would read books
in reading group. Now we have digital programs that allow students to read
books, such as Epic.com and MyOn (a program used within my school district). Students
can read or listen to books, or even watch videos on certain topics. We have
applications on the computer, such as Lexia that can assist students with
phonics skills. IReady is another platform in which students read and respond
to text questions and vocabulary. In these programs there are many multimodal features. Students have audio in which to listen and must
often attend to. They have many visuals to help support learning that they must
also make meaning of.
When I think of literacy what comes to
mind is the process of reading and writing. Digital literacies afford us the convenience
of communicating with others, finding information, or paying our bills from almost anywhere. In my opinion the quote means we must be more cognizant of how we use these technologies
that are now available to use within our practice as teachers. Are these new
text formats that we share with our students reliable? Can students utilize this
new media to meet objectives and standards that we are teaching? We want to
make sure that with these new technologies that we are teaching our students
will provide them with the skills and tools they will need to as the quote ends
“further their own purposes in their learning lives” (Gillen and Barton,
2010, p. 9)
References
Durran, C. and Green, B. (2000) Literacy and the
new technologies in school education: Meeting the l(IT)eracy challenge?The
Free Library. (2014). Retrieved Jan 18, 2023 from https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Literacy+and+the+new+technologies+in+school+education%3a+Meeting+the...-a063132991
Gillen,
J. and Barton, D. (2010). Digital literacies: A research briefing by the
Technology Enhanced Learning phase of the Teaching and Learning Research Programme.
Wilbur,
G. (2010). Digital Culture and Education. Special themed issue: Beyond ‘new’
literacies. Retrieved
January 17, 2023.
Hi Patty,
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your response, you bring up a few points that I can make connections to that I didn’t consider when thinking about digital literacy. Like you mentioned, the ways in which we obtain knowledge and communicate are changing and I believe they will continue to evolve every year. We have the ability to form connections and learn from people we have never actually met in person. I find both pros and cons to this ability to connect so easily with people who are states or even countries away. The idea of collaboration through technology has allowed for people (like us) to complete degrees in a time frame and manner that best suites their life style. It has also allowed for people to connect with others they may never have had the opportunity to otherwise. As a population, we have been able to gather so much knowledge and further our understanding of different parts of the world because of digital literacy. As I think about the cons in being able to connect with people so easily, I find myself in a similar undergrad versus M.Ed. comparison, too. In my undergrad experience, I was a close walk to almost all of my classes, friends, and activities. I was able to build more genuine connections with so many different people and saw them on a regular basis which allowed for me to further those connections. As I venture into my M.Ed. online from my hometown, I am states away from all of my closest friends and classmates. I find that while this ability to connect through technology and digital literacy can have so many positives, it creates more pressure on keeping up with all these connections that were seemingly easier in person. People expect you to be available or as attentive because technology allows for it, even if your current lifestyle may not. I would love to more about your comparison this topic from undergrad to M.Ed., as well.
I connect with your points on how digital literacy is flowing into the classroom and how as teachers are job is to ensure our students can use these forms of digital literacy to further their own learning. My district uses Lexia and IReady for online programs, as well. I love how you pointed out that these digital literacies have multiple modalities and helping students understand how to explore all parts of these tools will allow them to have success in learning through technology. Thank you for your great discussion and allowing me to reflect on my own teaching practices and uses of digital literacy!
Reading your post made ME compare my undergrad experience to now-my first time through college was 98-2002, right when my college was slowly adding computers, dot matrix printers, and I came to college with a word processor! Now, 20 years later I am sitting at home, on my personal computer, talking with people from all over the state-and beyond!
ReplyDeleteTechnology changes so quickly and we adapt, and sometimes forget to reevaluate how we are using it, especially when it comes to our critical literacy. Really made me start thinking more about how I use technology in regards to digital literacy, not just my students!