What sort of literacy is need in the digital age?

Literacy is needed in all its forms in today’s digital age. The only difference between the digital age and any other age is in the modes of technology, which continue to change and develop with time. For example, paper used to be the newest technology 2,000 years ago thereby resulting in print literacy. Today, computer literacy provides a similar function as paper (i. e. communication practices) but through different modalities than paper and at a faster rate. This does not change the fact that literacy is needed both in print and digitally and will continue to be needed in new ways as various new forms of literacy develop. So, perhaps it would be more accurate it say that an open flexibility is needed in adopting new literacies practices in the digital age and beyond.

What are the characteristics of a technologically literate person?

Someone who can maneuver and manipulate different technological modalities.

How do people’s technological practices shape their literacy?

The more familiar one is with a literacy practice, the more fluent they will become. In other words, practice makes perfect. If someone does not have access to certain technologies, this will inhibit their fluency. Additionally, technologies that are similar will foster trans-technological fluency despite functioning as different modalities.

How can we best teach technological literacy?

We can best teach it by promoting interaction with technology, providing access to various new technologies in the classroom, and completing activities which engage students in technology and foster fluency. Additionally beneficial would be activities that allow students to work together so that those on various levels of fluency can help scaffold and bridge the gap created by home technological literacies.

What are the greatest problems that technology creates?

The greatest problems technology creates are human ones. We as humans have potential for great good and great evil and therefore anything we create can be manipulated the same way. Technology in and of itself should not be villianized or idealized.

What are the greatest benefits of technology?

Technology promotes interaction, connection, and communication, all of which have inherently positive potential. The more we can globally work together, the more we can (hopefully) move towards a common good.