Reading, "No Longer a Luxury: Digital Literacy Can't Wait", both entertained me and broadened my perspective of digital literacy. I say entertaining because I had a few laughs reading about the way some teachers think a PowerPoint presentation counts as a digital requirement, and the way the authors referred to those who browse the internet but do not engage as "lurkers." I laughed because I am totally a "lurker" in this digital sense; although, I suppose I am a recovering lurker, as I am getting a little more involved digitally. Additionally, I used to be a big PowerPoint clinger, so this was knowing laugher.
Although, for a lurker/ PowerPoint junkie, I was really surprised by the way I was moved by Hawley Turner and Hicks. In both the text, Argument in the Real World, and the article, "No Longer a Luxury: Digital Literacy Can't Wait", I felt the authors did a great job pointing out the way social media and the online sphere can serve as an authentic space with a real audience. This is a perspective I had yet to encounter and, quite frankly, it really challenged my current attitudes towards writing in the online space.
In the text, the authors write, "to highlight the power of social media to provide a real audience and to help his students learn to anticipate and respond to counterclaims, Alex used Yelp.com in his classroom." First off, I think this idea of a "real audience" is brilliant. Initially it feels a little funky because we sort of assume students are already writing for real audiences (aka the teacher), but in reality they actually have very limited, if any, opportunities to engage with an actual audience of folks outside of teachers, administration, and classmates. Secondly, as someone who is a little resistant to technology in the classroom (out of lack of familiarity), I am quite smitten with this idea of having students use Yelp.com or Amazon to write reviews for places or products. I would not have thought of this, but I think it is a unique and fun way to put student writing out there and see what sort of authentic feedback comes their way.
In regards to the podcast with Danah Boyd from onbeing.org, I was interested by what she had to say and it had me thinking and pondering and talking to myself in the car after the podcast finished (always a good time :)). Boyd seems to be rallying against voices that attribute the ills of the online world to the creation and existence of the digital world itself. I have to agree with her in disagreeing with these people––the online sphere is a reflection of our physical world and its physical shortcomings rather than an entirely new beast in itself.
For example: if I were to claim that Instagram encourages young girls to post revealing photos of themselves for attention, I would be wrong to blame the platform. This is a greater societal issue, in which young women feel they are as good as their bodies are perceived to be––a unfortunate side affect of, lets say to name one reason, female objectification in advertising.
I think what I took from Boyd is this: the online world is full of amazing technology and opportunities for connection, but it is up to the user to determine their personal boundaries––how much digital exposure is comfortable and when does it become too much. This is personal and varies by individual needs and wants. However, I don't think younger kids know how to determine this nor do I think they are even cognizant of a need to find a balance. I don't think we teach kids, or even adults, to form and foster balanced relationships with themselves and their world. If you don't have a relationship with yourself, how can you determine your zone of comfort when it comes to interacting with the digital world?
That said, do we actually think the digital sphere is engineered for our personal comfort? For example, I know if I am feeling bad about myself, I need to keep a close eye on my breathing, cut down on caffein, and log out of Instagram. I log out of Instagram because I am not in the healthiest mental space and I know I will not approach other's posts without comparing. I know that about myself, but that took learning and finding the balance of exposure that works for me. However, I am not sure younger teens are that self aware and even if they are, push notification are just that––pushy.
I do not disagree with Boyd, I really liked what she had to say. I just think we are not properly setting the youth up to engage with the digital world in a manner that suites their personal/ spiritual needs. Again, not a problem with the internet, but rather with us, as a people.
Bit of a ramble here––sorry for that!
Maddy,
ReplyDeleteI love how you mentioned PowerPoint and how some teachers consider that to be an advanced used to digital tools. It seems adorably naive to those of us that know better, but to them it was really hard to get to that point and they're proud of their mastery. I think like anything else those skills have to be built up and telling someone, "Oh, you're not using enough digital tools, so obviously you're a failure as a teacher," isn't going to help anybody.
I don't think this post is rambling at all actually. I was able to follow it very smoothly, but I also have a very divergent mind so it might just have been that this type of format is one that I'm very familiar with. Regarding what you said about social media and mental health, I think it's so important that students learn how to step back and not compare themselves to everyone in their social circle. I definitely understand that it is so tempting to go, "Well, So-and-so seems to have everything figured out and she's three years younger than me. Why don't I have that? It must be my fault." It's vital to remind ourselves that the digital portrait that is on display is self-composed. Naturally this means that the person creating this digital self-portrait is going to do so in this most flattering light possible. Most people, unless they are just uniquely honest with themselves and the people they surround themselves with, are not going to engage in practices where they talk about their fears and their bad days because they don't want others to see them sweat. That's an illusion that's been made easier by the digital world, but it was one that began well before personal computers.
It's exactly as Boyd said. People have always been vicious to each other and the online spaces we create are reflections of that toxic criticism that society has lodged firmly into our minds. It's just convenient for everyone to pretend to be appalled by the behavior that is displayed when people do not have to at least be within shouting distance from someone they want to insult. Even the meanest people are a lot less likely to follow through if they have the potential of being confronted. It's really the anonymity and the lack of immediate consequences that makes tormenting people online seem so appealing. Kindness has to start in real life for it to flow over into digital spaces.
Maddy, great post as usual! I really was intrigued with the amazon and yelp page reviews because, like you mention, we're so used to writing for the teacher instead of for a particular purpose or audience. I think the example they give is a great one because it brings their writing to their own lives and shows them the importance of having the skills to do so.
ReplyDeleteI say this way too often but, we really have to show our future students these skills and lift the wool from over their eyes to see what and who are behind the minute advertisements and bios/tweets from their favorite celebrities. Understanding that these public figures have "teams" and publicists who help them craft their tweets and statements to ensure that they are not making any mistakes or not writing in an inarticulate manner. I have heard students in college who are shocked when they find these kinds of things out. It shocks me! It's truly important to show these students the opportunities they have on the digital sphere and have them practice the skills to be an active participant!
Thanks to Boyd, I am keeping my mind open about those who feels more comfortable to socialize through online rather than physical. I have a student who is a little bit different than most of us and I told him that it is okay to be weird and different. I told him that it is a very good thing. I came from Pacific Northwest, the states full of weirdos. Portland, Oregon is the only city that proudly declared that it likes to keep weird. Keep Portland Weird. Check out this link...http://www.keepportlandweird.com/.
ReplyDeleteDanah, Turner and Hicks have so full of ideas, tips and resources for me to feel excited and want to be a champion teacher. I can be unrealistic at this point, but that is how I feel...silly eh?
Maddsters,
ReplyDeleteI love that you mentioned what Danah Boyd says about how "the online world is full of amazing technology and opportunities for connection, but it is up to the user to determine their personal boundaries––how much digital exposure is comfortable and when does it become too much." This is very true for me, because I've found there IS so much out there, and there are many times I DO become overwhelmed and have to draw back. The internet is a crazy necessary evil to me. I have a love/hate relationship with it, and have been slowly breaking down my walls and opening myself up to the possibilities more. As a teacher, I know I need to use it all the time, so I'm almost pushing myself so that I can succeed at helping my students succeed.
Thanks for sharing!