In the article Digital Literacy will never replace the traditional kind, Paul argues that the most sophisticated digital literacy skills outlined in the 21st century learner model won’t help students navigate the world if they don’t have a broad base of knowledge about how the world actually operates. She gives the following example: "Just because you can Google the date of Black Thursday doesn’t mean you understand why the Great Depression happened or how it compares to our recent economic slump". While this statement and the article's overall premise is valid, I feel it takes the notion of digital literacy out of context.
I agree that digital literacy skills alone cannot replace knowledge as it is essentially the foundation for critical thinking and skill-building itself. My personal notion of learning new skills definitely means being knowledgeable about the 'what, when, where, why, and how' aspects involved. Otherwise, learning new skills without such background becomes completely ineffective and without purpose. People will simply become machines if they learn skills this way without any context or knowledge and Paul makes an excellent point on this in her article.
However, I strongly believe that the 21st century learner model from Alberta Education is not saying that digital literacy skills should replace traditional literacy:
I agree that digital literacy skills alone cannot replace knowledge as it is essentially the foundation for critical thinking and skill-building itself. My personal notion of learning new skills definitely means being knowledgeable about the 'what, when, where, why, and how' aspects involved. Otherwise, learning new skills without such background becomes completely ineffective and without purpose. People will simply become machines if they learn skills this way without any context or knowledge and Paul makes an excellent point on this in her article.
However, I strongly believe that the 21st century learner model from Alberta Education is not saying that digital literacy skills should replace traditional literacy:
The model shows digital literacy as one area to be competent in among seven. Competencies such as critical thinking/problem solving, communication, and lifelong learning are equally advocated for and digital literacy is not the sole vision of the entire 21st century learner model. Here is the detailed explanation of the model for further analysis. The message I get from this Alberta Education model is that we should not turn a blind eye towards digital literacy. Our society is rapidly changing as can be seen with the rise of social networking/media and students will need to have such skills to participate and learn as best as they can. This does not mean that traditional literacy should be replaced at all- it just means that it needs to be expanded to fit our world today.
As for the example above of googling the date of Black Thursday and not understanding the bigger picture around it, this is where a teachable moment can occur and where technology can be readily used to our advantage rather than our demise. Challenge students with effective learning tools such as instaGrok to research about the Great Depression themselves rather than delivering the information in a transmissive way. Throughout my practicum experience, I've found students nowadays to be incredibly constructive learners, not empty vessels waiting to be filled with information. In Sharon Friesen's study on 21st century learners, students themselves have voiced the following desires in their learning:
As for the example above of googling the date of Black Thursday and not understanding the bigger picture around it, this is where a teachable moment can occur and where technology can be readily used to our advantage rather than our demise. Challenge students with effective learning tools such as instaGrok to research about the Great Depression themselves rather than delivering the information in a transmissive way. Throughout my practicum experience, I've found students nowadays to be incredibly constructive learners, not empty vessels waiting to be filled with information. In Sharon Friesen's study on 21st century learners, students themselves have voiced the following desires in their learning:
We don’t want to remember, recall and regurgitate
We don’t want to learn for the sake of tests
We don’t want learning made easy; rather, they want it to mean something.
We want to learn with the media of our times.
We want to do work that is relevant, meaningful and authentic.
- Sharon Friesen, 21st Century Learning and Learners
I strongly believe that developing digital literacy skills can aid in deepening students' traditional literacy. Of course, such skills need to stem from a broad base of knowledge first in order to be effective and worthwhile. Turning a blind eye to such 21st century skills however, may be detrimental to students in our world today so it is important as educators to enable the opportunity.
References:
Friesen, S., & Jardine, D. (2009). 21st century learning and learners. Prepared for Western and Northern Canadian Curriculum Protocol by Galileo Educational Network.Retrieved June 6, 2012 from
http://education.alberta.ca/media/1087278/wncp%2021st%20cent%20learning%20%282%29.pdf
Framework for Student Learning, 2011. Retrieved July. 9, 2013, from http://education.alberta.ca/media/6581166/framework.pdf
Paul, Annie Murphy. Digital Literacy will never replace the traditional kind. Retrieved July 10 2013 from http://ideas.time.com/2011/10/26/why-digital-literacy-will-never-replace-the-traditional-kind/
References:
Friesen, S., & Jardine, D. (2009). 21st century learning and learners. Prepared for Western and Northern Canadian Curriculum Protocol by Galileo Educational Network.Retrieved June 6, 2012 from
http://education.alberta.ca/media/1087278/wncp%2021st%20cent%20learning%20%282%29.pdf
Framework for Student Learning, 2011. Retrieved July. 9, 2013, from http://education.alberta.ca/media/6581166/framework.pdf
Paul, Annie Murphy. Digital Literacy will never replace the traditional kind. Retrieved July 10 2013 from http://ideas.time.com/2011/10/26/why-digital-literacy-will-never-replace-the-traditional-kind/
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