More Than Just a Search Engine & Social Media Platform
In my two chosen readings, Digital Literacy, authored by Jenifer Vanek, and Improving Digital Practices for Literacy, Learning, and Justice: More Than Just Tools from the International Literacy Association (ILA), Digital Literacy's educational value is stressed while being highlighted as being "much more than proficiency with discrete computer skills" (Vanek, 2019). Additionally, digital literacy must be associated with more than a simple tool. The ILA (2018) perfectly stated the common refrain 'there’s an app for that' simply doesn’t cut it when we are talking about meaningful learning in today’s digital age.
Vanek's Digital Literacy Take
One of Vanek's key points is, "Digital Literacy proficiency is needed to fully participate in economic, civic, work, and daily life in the United States" (2019). Digital literacy can be broken into five components of focus or proficiencies: basic computer skills, network literacy, digital problem solving, information literacy, and media literacy. Each of these proficiencies scaffolds and co-exists, equating to a well-rounded digital literacy ability. (Vanek, 2019) Vanek discusses the impact of digital literacy on adult learners and its correlation to the workforce. "ABE classrooms are filled with adults who may have had interrupted formal education...For these learners, digital literacy can support or accelerate the acquisition of knowledge and the development of proficiency in a range of academic contexts" (Harris, 2015). Vanek quotes a study from the National Skills Coalition concerning how 73% of the workforce may not have the literacy necessary for the job, but are expected to do the work anyway. (Bergson-Shilcock, 2017, p.9, p.16; Vanek, 2017). To combat these concerns and create a more universally literate society, in all new literacies, it is suggested that teachers focus on fostering the basics of computer skills and language while incorporating communication methods, critical thinking processes through analysis, digital self-awareness, process-based problem solving, and experience navigating systems. (Vanek, 2019).
International Literacy Association's Digital Literacy Take
The International Literacy Association, similar to Vanek, approaches digital literacy as a component of literacy that should be co-taught along with traditional proficiencies of literacy.
Why Is This Important Or Relevant?
Digital literacy has become a necessary foundation of education and literacy. Students are already so ingrained in technology, but do not necessarily know how to use it. They are experts at playing a game or manipulating their algorithm on TikTok, Instagram, or a variety of other social media sites, but at the same time, don't know how to save a file on a real computer. At my school district, there is a 1:1 device policy, so each student has their own Chromebook, and the majority of the district has transitioned over to some version of hybridity with digital versus pen-and-paper. While I appreciate the effort to incorporate technology, I resonated deeply with both articles' commentary on how digital literacy needs to start at the foundation and be applicable outside of school in a professional setting in an equitable way. (International Literacy Association, 2018; Vanek, 2019;) In my digital art classes, we use Mac desktops, and one of the most significant hoops at the beginning of each semester is that students have absolutely no idea how a real computer works, because their Chromebook does everything for them from saving, to a singular user face where files are accessible "on-line" and "offline". Many students assume that their Chromebook is how all computers work, and frequently, students' work will be deleted entirely because they forgot to save it. Additionally, many of my students do not have a home computer, which means they may never experience using a real computer before going into the workforce, meaning they could be in the statistic mentioned by Vanek and Bergson-Shilcock. One point that stood out to me in particular was the International Literacy Association's point on the incorporation of cell phones.
I thought this was incredibly interesting, as many schools already have and will be implementing cell phone bans. However, it is a method of literacy and can be used as a tool for teaching if applied correctly. Many more conversations should be had around digital literacy, including implementation, basics versus proficiency (and how to transition between the two), and how it can be used as more than a tool. However, the necessary result is that "Students must have the skills and knowledge necessary to express oneself creatively for a variety of purposes in diverse contexts using the appropriate platforms, tools, styles, formats, and digital media necessary to reach different communication goals. (International Literacy Association, 2018)
References
Bergson-Shilcock, A. (2017). Foundational skills in the service sector. Washington, DC:
National Skills Coalition. Retrieved from
https://www.nationalskillscoalition.org/resources/publications/file/NSC-
foundational-skills-FINAL.pdf
Harris, K. (2015). Integrating digital literacy into English language instruction: Issue
brief. Retrieved from
https://lincs.ed.gov/sites/default/files/ELL_Digital_Literacy_508.pdf
International Literacy Association. (2018). Improving digital practices for literacy, learning, and Justice. International Literacy Association. https://www.literacyworldwide.org/docs/default-source/where-we-stand/ila-improving-digital-practices-literacy-learning-justice.pdf
Vanek, J. (2019). Digital Literacy. The Skills That Matter in Adult Education, (Brief), 1–7.
I am so happy that you brought up the looming bell-to-bell cell phone ban! It is interesting how schools are pushing for teachers to utilize more technology in all content areas, but they are banning a big piece of technology that this generation of students relies on. It was always so easy when I was in high school to pull out our phone and play kahoot or quizlet from there! I also agree with you that being 1:1 is not always best, as students are losing the skills to write legibly. I wish school would go back to paper and pencil!
ReplyDeleteHi Emily!
ReplyDeleteYour point about students being ingrained in technology but not really know how to USE it is SO real. The amount of times I have to teach even just copy and paste to my students is wild. Like the articles mentioned, these are skills that they will need in the work force. I feel that more digital skills need to be incorporated into EVERY class. By high school the students should be familiar with how to actually use their computers and the software they will need for college or the work place!
Emily, you made a fantastic point about how many of these students only have experiences with their Chromebooks, which may not assist them once out of the academic setting. I myself have gotten so compostable using my work laptop with its touch screen that I found myself poking at the screen on my desktop computer the other day!!! Exposure and training on different types of devices will better prepare students when they join the workforce.
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