Remixing as Literacy
Remixing is swiftly becoming an essential part of curriculum and digital literacy. Remixing "illustrates how young people today are involve in taking different media extracts and putting them together in new ways." (Lankshear & Knobel, 2013, p. 47) It is through remixing that perception of literacy and learning in school relates to digital literacy and the expansion of this literacy within the classroom. (Lankshear & Knobel, 2013, p.47)
With remixing, the thoughts are moved away from the traditional writing and enhanced with the incorporation of digital and media. This can include many things such as blogging, posting pictures, sharing music files and using a social network to communicate.
In Case 3: Media Production in Media Education, the students were working on creating a film in Photoshop with regards to Blitz. Blitz was a story about young people who lived in a home in Oslo. (Lankshear & Knobel, 2013, p. 51) The students were using the tools presented in Photoshop to create the film, including its title page. When the fonts were lack luster, the students turned their attention to an internet search for additional fonts to download. Their intent was to create a title that not only nabbed attention but also set the mood for their film and the story they were about to tell. A standard font already in Photoshop just wasn't going to do it justice. (Lankshear & Knobel, 2013, p.51)
In this example, the students were keen on creating the setting and atmosphere of their piece while the Teacher was more concerned with the journalism aspect. The Teacher felt that the students were focusing too much of their attention on the font detail and not enough on the piece itself. The students however argued that the fonts "are important because they express their understanding of the 'blitz' concept." (Lankshear & Knobel, 2013, p. 51) They felt that their creativity was just as valuable as their writing.
What is interesting as a whole when thinking about digital literacy is how each generation views it differently. The older generation is more traditional. They believe in the need for pen and paper to create their words and get their points across. The younger crowd feel they can do the same and become even more impact with their social reach online to include but not exclude the use of media files, pictures, music and more. Marrying the two concepts together is the tricky part but if done correctly, it can open a door and tap into some great creative thoughts.
Remixing involves "selecting, organizing, reflecting, evaluating, creating and communicating." (Lankshear & Knobel, 2013, p. 53) An advantage to this style of literacy is that it allows everyone to tap into their creative nature. It allows each individual to create and write their words within what is comfortable to them and without limitations. Having these digital tools available to students provides growth. It enhances the thought process, creates a creative space, improves literacy as a whole and provokes critical thinking.
