Question: What is your own definition of digital literacy and how does a working definition of digital literacy useful for a class on computers and writing?
I believe digital literacy is defined by the ability to understand technological terms and processes about the field of electronics. Literacy is very open to what it can be defined to, but when you add the word “digital” to it, it has a narrow focus. Similar to how computers were decades ago, the concept of digital literacy could be seen as something very specific appealing only to the language of computers or understanding codes and databases.
However, considering how technology has expanded to many aspects of our lives, digital literacy can connect to any scientific convenience. Literature is simply about writing, reading, and interpreting languages. You are performing digital literacy whenever you are reading a manual or understanding words written about the subject of technology, which includes software, hardware, appliances, cell phones, or other devices. It is a very open concept as we are using a visuals in tandem more with literature. We press an icon or select it and it brings up a new subject. Digital Literacy is all about the distribution of information, especially how we use it to learn or communicate.
To bring up a tangent, I took a class last semester called “Studies in Literacy” which covered more types of literacy aside from books and literature. What opened my eyes to new forms of digital literacy was when we read The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses by James Schell. And Game Design goes beyond the idea of art design and programming languages, but it asked readers to compose games through very simple, but deep ideas. Any project is composed of aesthetics, mechanics, story, and technology, so that has really translated well to learning through digital literacy.
To become involved in digital literacy is a very simple process. We are involved in it right now. It comes from a desire to learn about technology and the digital capabilities of everything around us. Digital Literacy roots itself in machinery so it comes down to learning about any basic or complex for of technology. It is a concept that can be very deep, if necessary.
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