M2: Blog Post 2: How New Literacies Are Relevant to Us
“Instead of placing trust in the latest gadget, faith must
be placed in the expertise of teachers to sustain classrooms that reflect the contexts
of learning that are encountered outside of schools and in the real world.” (ILA,
2018)
In the same piece, I was shocked to read about the argument how restricting use of student cell phones during free time might be “reinforcing power structures.” (ILA, 2018, pg. 5) It’s something I never would have considered but made sense as explained.
I also chose to read Ch 1 of Lankshear and Knobel’s A New Literacies Sampler, as it seems to me that this is one of the influential, seminal sources of information on the study of new literacies. Lankshear and Knobel are referenced in almost all of the readings in this module. It makes sense to see new literacies as “social practices.” (Lankshear and Knobel, 2017 p.4). What they write about what they call “the ethos stuff,” that explains that new literacies also makes a lot of sense. New literacies are according to Lankshear and Knobel: participatory, collaborative, distributive, and less published, individual and author-centric clearly elucidates the expansion from traditional literacy.
I take issue with some of their conclusions, however. “Multi-tasking has become ubiquitous among digital youth,” they write on pg 15. And go onto feature a 2006 study that they claim demonstrates how good students are at multi-tasking while in class. And they mean gaming, shopping, emailing, chatting while they are supposed to be paying attention in class and still being successful. I think the proof was suspect. I don't see any proof that students can learn while being so distracted in my classes.
They also write a lot about how everyone is an expert in the new digital age vs. traditionally “products were developed by finite experts whose reputed credibility and expertise underpinned take up of their products.” I think the sorry state of journalism today show the importance of trained experts.
They praise Wikipedia and today we don’t consider it a reliable source. And Flickr? I don’t think it was any sort of preparation for the issues with new literacies we face today, especially AI.
Twenty years is too far in the digital, technology era to have too much relevance. And why don’t they talk about TV?
References
International Literacy Association. (2018). Improving digital practices for literacy, learning, and justice: More than just tools [Literacy leadership brief]. Newark, DE. https://www.literacyworldwide.org/docs/default-source/where-we-stand/ila-improving-digital-practices-literacy-learning-justice.pdf
Lankshear, C. and Knobel, M. (2007) Chapter 1: “Sampling ‘the New’ in New Literacies.” A New Literacies Sampler. Lang. P
I like the first quote you picked! This module has certainly reminded me that new literacies are a part of our world and, when used correctly, can be a true asset and an essential part of giving students what they need as they move forward. I truly believe this, but as an early elementary educator, I also see the harm that too much emphasis on “new literacies” can have on young students. My biggest fear is utilizing too much one-to-one screen time in education. However, this module has reminded me that “new literacies” are so much more than just screen time and technology use. I already use them more than I had thought in my own classroom.
ReplyDeleteI also liked how you discussed supporting teachers by investing in their knowledge of new literacies.
I completely agree with your next paragraph as well. Restricting student phone usage during free time being looked at as a power struggle was hard for my sensibilities, at first. Sometimes I try to think about these situations in terms of how we, as adults, would be expected to act. I certainly would not be able to have my phone out while teaching all day, but during my lunch or personal time, I of course can use it. Thinking about it that way helps me understand the reasoning behind allowing students some freedom with their phones during their own free time.
Thanks for the comment, Morgan. I agree that too much screen time today is concerning. And it's an issue that wasn't addressed in this module's readings but something we have to consider today. As a middle school teacher, I think in some ways it's more natural to include "new literacies," as the students are big users of them.
ReplyDeleteAt what age can students make choices like using a cell phone in their free time? I guess that is something to consider as well.
-Christi