Literacy Log

      I felt my literacy log was particularly valuable because it gave me the opportunity to see exactly how I use literacy on a daily basis. I was somewhat surprised to see just how much I use digital literacies. I suppose I knew in the back of my mind that I used digital literacies more than other forms of literacy, but I had never really considered how much more. An examination of the blog reveals that electronic literacies are by far the most powerful literacies I currently use. I use them in every domain of my life, from relaxing at home to creating this portfolio for this online course. Most of what I learn, whether academic or otherwise, I learn through using some form of digital literacy. I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, I am fortunate to have been able to engage with such powerful literacies from such a young age. I am a digital native, rather than a digital immigrant, and am able to keep up to date with changes in the digital world quite naturally (Rosen & Nelson, 2008, p. 220). On the other hand, however, I worry about my dependence on digital literacies. I am always connected to the internet. If I have a question, I can just look up the answer instead of trying to problem solve on my own or recall a solution I had previously encountered. I worry that instant access to answers is detrimental to my memory and problems solving skills. I also worry about the way in which digital literacies exclude large portions of the world's population. Deborah Brandt notes that many people do not have access to literacy sponsors that facilitate their learning of and interaction with digital literacies (Brandt, 2003). Such uneven distribution of these powerful literacies denies people a chance to participate in their world, creating a digital divide between those who can participate and those who cannot. These twin concerns have given me a new sense of responsibility as an educator. I know that we must do everything in our power to provide equal access to powerful literacies to all of our students. However, I also feel that all educators must be careful not to cultivate a reliance on digital literacies.

References

Brandt, D. (2003). Changing literacy. Teachers College Record, 105(2), 245-260.

Rosen, D., & Nelson, C. (2008). Web 2.0: A new generation of learners and education. Computers in the Schools, 25(3-4), 211-225.