"The distinctive contribution of the
approach to literacy as social practice lies in the ways in which it involves
careful and sensitive attention to what people do with texts, how they make
sense of them and use them to further their own purposes in their own learning
lives" (Gillen and Barton, 2010, p. 9).
Our
perspectives are unique. It is these precise perspectives that connect what we
are reading to what we are learning. The various ways information is relayed to
us and in their contexts, contributes to the way we process the information and
perceive and apply the knowledge.
In the
past, literacy was focused in on written words in both books and papers. This
was our method of learning. As our world, has changed and evolved, the
way we take in information and apply it to our everyday lives has also changed.
We are living in a digitized world now. Books, articles, journals, even
textbooks are now easily accessible from around the world with the tap of a
screen or swipe of a finger. We've had to adapt and broaden the spectrum
of learning by utilizing what is accessible to us through these various
channels.
Technology
has also added a new type of literacy to consider. Sometimes referred to as digital fluency, this
type of literacy refers to the ways people become comfortable using technology
as they would any other natural language (Huffaker, 2004). Some scholars
suggest digital fluency will be another prerequisite for sociability, lifelong
learning and employment opportunities (Resnick, 2002). The uses of educational
technologies have a two–fold advantage: They can promote the types of literacy
traditionally encouraged in learning, as well as the digital fluency needed to
prosper in the digital age. (Huffaker, 2004)
These
channels can be used as vital tools to the learning process and to literacy.
Technology is no longer a new addition to the curriculum but more of an
inclusion to the whole piece of the pie. It's becoming a necessity to have this
tool in your pocket to become a strong learner. Without it, it is possible to
fall behind or worse ... be left behind.
With the
adaptation of new technology and the ever-changing world around us, our
learning abilities need to become flexible and bend with the times. Our
boundaries are being challenged and expanded and as such, the mind needs to
remain open minded to the endless possibilities.
Reference
Huffaker, D. (2004, June 7). The educated blogger:
Using Weblogs to promote literacy in the classroom | Huffaker | First Monday.
Retrieved January 19, 2017, from
http://firstmonday.org/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/1156/1076https://www.thefreelibrary.com/literacy
and the new technologies in school education%3a meeting the...-a063132991
Hi Lisa,
ReplyDeleteIndeed, we have to keep up with the times to stay relevant. I found the article "Beyond 'New' Literacies" (Wilber, 2010) touched on this point well. In the article, Wilber discusses how literacies change so rapidly. "Today, technological change happens so rapidly that the changes to literacy are limited not to the technology, but rather by our ability to adapt and acquire the new literacies that emerge". (Wilber, 2010).
My feeling is that an overall methodology needs to be taught as opposed to continuing to teach the new tools that emerge. More and more tools are replicating similar design principles making it easier to understand new systems we aim to learn. I remember back in the 90's at the boom of the digital age, it felt like each tool was this new endeavor to learn. Now, I can pick up just about anything and learn it relatively quickly due to the similar interfaces. If we can teach children or adults the fundamentals of these programs, tools, etc. than the world would be their oyster.
Reference:
Delete1. Wilber, D.J., (2010), p.2, Special themed issue: Beyond 'new' literacies, Digital Culture & Education (DCE), Montclair State University, online publication, retrieved from: http://www.digitalcultureandeducation.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/dce_editorial_wilber_2010.pdf
I agree with the ever changing landscape of skills. A great recognition in this little discussion does make me consider learning how to cope with change; to celebration and embrace it. That is the new literacy/skill set we need to empart. ADAPTIVE learning and experience! Those who are flexible survive. Just like the natural organic world. species who adapt survive!
ReplyDelete