1. What did you learn about new literacies from this week’s video “The essential elements of digital literacies” and from the reading “Dawn of new literacies”?
I learned from this week’s materials that new literacy is characterized by evolving social practices, trends, skills, and multiple, multimodal, and multifaceted forms, such as media literacy and social literacy. Among them, digital media give people access to a large amount of information, articles, and creative expressions, which has also led to the rise of “Screenagers,” who participate in and publish a lot of content on social networks. I also learned about the drawbacks of digital literacy. This easy access to a large number of articles to read on any topic has raised concerns from Maryanne Wolf and Nicholas Carr. They worry that a digital culture of rapid information consumption may affect people’s ability to read and think deeply and that skimming may replace deep reading and critical thinking.
2. Consult our class glossary under course profile-docs. Find one example of new literacies that surprised you and/ or that you disagree with.
I was surprised that Apple Pay is considered a new form of literacy. I didn’t agree at first, but when I thought about it, I realized that financial literacy is also a part of these new literacies. It refers to the ability to make informed decisions about money. Electronic wallet payment methods like Apple Pay meticulously record all expenditures and income, providing users with a better way to manage their financial data.
3. How can we apply Szwed’s and Perry’s definitions of literacy as we study new literacies?
When using Szwed and Perry’s definitions of literacy to understand new literacies, it’s crucial to consider the context, social behaviors, the ability to switch between different modes or codes, and being sensitive to cultural factors.
4. What are some “new literacies” that have helped you with your schooling? Explain.
Digital literacy has definitely helped me academically and has been a huge benefit. Because I can easily use it to query new knowledge I encounter in my studies, and I can find a large number of articles and explanations about new knowledge, in detail and quickly.
5. Have you ever had to help someone with technology (new literacies) who was not tech savvy? What was that experience like?
I have taught my older family members how to use mobile phones. They can fully read the text on it, but they cannot understand what the “Next” button and the “Cancel” button are for. They often ask me “It asks me if I want to update the system, which button should I press?” They don’t want to update the system, and I have to tell them every time to press the button that clearly says the word “cancel” or “no”. I don’t know why, this is beyond my comprehension.
6. What is ONE “new literacies” that you cannot live without?
I am totally dependent on digital literacy, every time I have a question I pull out my phone and use a search engine, even next to an expert who can totally answer the question for me, like a professor.
7. Explain your personality using ONLY three emojis – what would they be?
🤭😶📷
One thought on “Conversation 3”
I was surprised as well that apple pay would be considered as new literacy. It’s interesting how it can be connected to a form of literacy and it’s something that (I use) daily. I never thought to myself all the different ways literacy may be applied to things that we use everyday! I also relate with having to help an older family member with technology. When it comes to helping my grandmother with her phone, you have to leave her in certain menus within the apps or else she’d get lost.