“In today’s world, a literate person must be able to read and create a range of paper-based and online texts (newspapers, pamphlets, websites, books, Kindle, and so on), participate in and create virtual settings”
“While some see such engagement as problematic, we, like Gee (2003), see these actions as redefining the world of literacy and our most basic understanding of what it means to be literate.”
“Literacy is not simply a separation of language systems that can be tested or skilled to death.”
The first quote cited above lists a sampling of different online texts that are available and widely used today. More and more people are becoming dependent on the virtual literacy available whereas the world from the beginning of time has depended on print or drawings or something of this nature. People have to be able to know how to find the information that they need and anymore that information is so easily accessible via the web or electronic communication.
The second quote talks about how some might see multimodal learning as problematic. I think that the printed newspaper may have been considered a problem by some people way back when. Anytime there is change, whether it is big or small, some people are going to be afraid of it. That’s not to say there aren’t problems; you hear every day about somebody’s account being hacked but the benefits far outweigh the problems.
I think the final quote refers to the breakdown of language systems and our ability to be able to easily assess ones knowledge of them. It will become more and more difficult to assess someone’s literacy when you can’t really test what they know. Kindergartners use the web on a daily basis. How do you assess something like that?
Quote # 2 - I think you explained this quote very well! Many people are afraid of change and resist it for as long as possible. I think that you also made another great point by saying the benefits outweigh the problems.
ReplyDeleteThrough the use of technology we are increasing our ability to complete tasks and find new and easier ways of communicating and completing our daily life activities; however it is not a perfect world with no problems.
This is a great post and I agree with you!
I agree that information is becoming easier to find via the web or electronic communication. I also think that "we" are becoming a bit dependent on the accessibility. My calendar and contact information is stored online and if I don't have access to the Internet then I would be lost.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with your comments about the third quote. It is becoming harder and harder to assess students' progress because the skills are not paper, project, concrete...etc. Even now with rubrics, it is hard for them to encompass all the skills needed to assess.
Assessment of digital literacies is very difficult. As of now there are no plans to assess digital literacies until 2020.
ReplyDeleteI really like your second quote and what you had to say about it. I agree 100% with you about change. When there are ideas for improving methods or even creating easier access which involves change people become scared and fear the unkown. Very well said.
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