New Literacies

Learning in the 21st century requires both teachers and students to reflect on a changing mindset towards technology as it permeates all areas of life and learning. New literacies require educators to broaden their perspectives on what is significant and how learning is to be transferred using technologies that reach beyond the classroom to bring the world and all its possibilities back in. New literacies are based entirely on the  sharing of information through endless linkages and possibilities for learning. The interconnectedness of these new mindsets require educators to re-examine current curriculum practices but at the same time to also be ever vigilant in questioning the relevance of sources. New literacies are about continually exploring the world from the personal to the local to the global. 

Callow, J. (2008). New literacies, New York & Web 2.0: a little knowledge is a helpful thing! SCAN, 27(4), 13-16

Illusion or Dellusion

Hoax websites such as the "Great Lost Tree Octopus" bring to light the frightening facts of unreliable resources being used and left unquestioned by a large proportion of critically unaware students. Educators are calling for more support to develop students' critical digital literacy since students are increasingly unable to decipher which online resources are accurate or reliable. Reading on the web is unlike reading in print and students have no critical literacy for determining what information is relevant. Educators need more development on how to assess students critical literacy of digital media. They need to know how to develop students ability to ask critical questions when researching online such as what are the underlining values of what they are reading, who is the intended audience and who has ownership over such information? New technologies have managed to create classrooms connected to the world however not all of these virtual environments are positive learning avenues for teachers and students alike.