A new semester begins! As we begin to
teach Digital Literacy for Designers for the third time, I want to focus on
what we want the students to learn from this class. I also want to redefine my
understanding of web/digital literacy. I was reading Chris Lawrence's (VP of
learning at Mozilla) definition of web literacy. First, I want to note that web
literacy and digital literacy in my view are synonymous. Mozilla begins by
defining web literacy as the ability to read, write and participate on the web.
As an educator, this is the core idea behind any type of literacy, the ability
to read and write and participate in the world at large through these
skills.
Reading, writing and basic arithmetic
were the necessary literacies in the 20th century. Schools were established to
teach the required skills, so that individuals could enter the work force and
participate. As society and work become more complex, and we entered the
information age, the skills to enter and compete in the workplace expanded.
More complex skills, critical thinking, analytical skills and non-linear
thinking began to emerge as important. The web has redefined the necessary
skills to succeed in the workplace, and placed new demands on higher education.
The ability to research digitally in one's discipline is now a mandatory
skill. But how do students learn this? Is it an innate ability? Are they really
digital natives as Prensky refers to this generation of learners? I have
observed that almost all students lack digital literacy skills, although they
may be very adept at the social and communication aspects of social media.
That does not equate to being able to read and write the web. Understanding
concepts of privacy & tracking, being able to critically assess sources on
the web, navigating information overload are all skills most undergraduate do
not possess. Just like reading, writing and arithmetic--the 3 R's of 20th
Century education were taught, literacy in the digital age must also be taught.
Lets work together to define digital literacy, and learn together.
