M2 Assignment: Blog Post 2 - How New Literacies are Relevant to Us
For this module, one of my biggest takeaways was realizing that digital literacy is much more complex than simply knowing how to use technology. Before these readings, I mostly thought about digital literacy as being connected to devices, apps, or basic technology skills. However, both readings emphasized that digital literacy is really about communication, participation, problem-solving, collaboration, and understanding how technology connects to real-world learning and experiences. That idea stood out to me because it changed how I think about technology in education.
One idea that especially resonated with me was from the International Literacy Association (2018), which explained that meaningful digital learning is “more than just tools.” The reading discussed how schools sometimes focus too heavily on devices or apps while forgetting that technology alone does not automatically improve learning or solve educational inequities. As a teacher, I could strongly relate to this point. I have seen classrooms where technology is available, but students are still disconnected or unengaged because the activities are not meaningful. At the same time, I have also seen students become highly engaged when technology is used in authentic ways that allow them to communicate, collaborate, and express themselves creatively.
In my Spanish classroom, I notice that students participate much more when activities feel connected to the real world. For example, my students are often more comfortable recording speaking assignments digitally or participating in interactive online activities than completing traditional worksheets. Some students who are quiet during class discussions become much more confident when they can communicate through digital platforms. The reading’s discussion about students becoming “literacy leaders” through technology really stood out to me because I see this happen in my own classroom as well (International Literacy Association, 2018).
Another important takeaway for me was the idea that digital literacy includes many different skills and forms of communication. The second reading explained that digital literacy involves not only basic computer skills, but also information literacy, media literacy, digital problem-solving, and communication skills (Vanek, 2019). Before reading this, I honestly did not think about how many different layers are involved in being digitally literate. I also found it interesting that digital literacy was connected to critical thinking and evaluating information online. In today’s world, students constantly consume information through social media and digital platforms, so helping them learn how to evaluate sources and communicate responsibly is extremely important.
One thing that challenged my thinking was realizing that technology itself is not always the solution. In my first blog post, I focused a lot on how important new literacies and technology are in education. While I still believe that, these readings reminded me that simply adding technology into classrooms does not automatically create equity or meaningful learning experiences. The International Literacy Association (2018) pointed out that technology cannot replace strong teacher-student relationships or fix long-standing educational inequalities. That idea made me reflect on the importance of balancing digital learning with authentic human connection and strong teaching practices.
As both a teacher and graduate student, these readings were very relevant to my own experiences. Returning to graduate school has made me realize how much communication and learning now happen through digital spaces such as blogs, online discussions, and collaborative platforms. At the same time, as a teacher, I see how important it is to prepare students for a world where digital communication is part of everyday life. Overall, these readings reinforced the idea that digital literacy is not just about using technology, but about helping students communicate, think critically, collaborate, and participate meaningfully in both school and society.
References: International Literacy Association. (2018). *Improving digital practices for literacy, learning, and justice: More than just tools* [Literacy leadership brief]. Author.
Vanek, J. (2019). *Digital literacy*. American Institutes for Research.
Hello Marjorie, when you brought up the importance of using technology effectively since just using devices doesn't mean inequities are addressed, I had a connection. When I saw this on the International Literacy Association (2018) cite, I also thought about the way that using technology in the classroom can give students access to learning right at their level when we as educator's would struggle to provide that to every student we instruct. Yet, like you said it doesn't always come out that way. It takes digital literacy on our parts as educators to be in tune with where technology use may be reinforcing inequalities and make adjustments.
ReplyDeleteHello Marjorie,
ReplyDeleteAt first, I also thought digital literacy would just mean teaching students how to use a device or app. However, I'm glad we both found out there are so many layers to digital literacy besides foundational technology skills. One aspect of digital literacy that I think connects to what you are saying in paragraphs 2 and 3 is technology should be integrated within the learning in order to build students digital literacy skills (Vanek, 2019). I like the way Gabbi mentioned, we need digital literacy ourselves in order to ensure we are creating and assigning learning tasks that integrate technology in meaningful ways.
Hello Marjorie, I really enjoyed reading your reflection. I agree that digital literacy is about much more than just using technology, it also involves communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. I also connected with your point about students feeling more confident participating through digital platforms. It is interesting how you connected the Literacy Association (2018) article by mentioning that technology can help quieter students express themselves in ways they may not during traditional classroom discussions. I believe that this is another benefit of technology in the classroom and outside of it, because it helps students present without having the whole class watching them in real time. Your examples from your Spanish classroom really helped connect the readings to real-world teaching experiences.
ReplyDeleteMarjorie, I really liked your point about technology being “more than just tools” because I think that is something a lot of schools still struggle with. Sometimes classrooms focus so much on getting students onto devices that the actual communication, creativity, and thinking behind the activity gets lost. Your examples from your Spanish classroom really helped show what meaningful digital literacy can actually look like when students are using technology to communicate authentically instead of just completing digital worksheets.
ReplyDeleteYour post also made me think about one of my own 8th grade students. He struggles significantly with traditional reading and writing tasks in school, but outside of school he runs a Roblox-focused YouTube channel with tens of thousands of subscribers. Honestly, if you heard him explain algorithms, audience engagement, thumbnails, or what makes a video successful, you would think you were talking to a professional content creator instead of a middle schooler. It is kind of wild when you step back and think about it. In many ways, he is demonstrating communication, creativity, problem-solving, and audience awareness at a really high level, even though traditional school measures would not necessarily capture those strengths right away. I think that connects closely to Vanek’s (2019) point that digital literacy includes far more than basic technology skills alone.
I also appreciated your point about balancing digital learning with authentic human connection. I think that is especially important at the middle school level because students are already living so much of their lives online. Technology can absolutely increase engagement and participation, but like you mentioned, it still depends on thoughtful teaching and meaningful interactions. Your post did a great job showing both the opportunities and limitations that come with digital literacy in education today.
Reference
Vanek, J. (2019). Digital literacy. American Institutes for Research.