Literacy and its definition used to be simple. In a broader context, one would refer to it as being literate. Meaning, one knows how to read and write. In my Eng 2020, writing course I learned the difference between literacy and fluency. Literacy would have basic knowledge of the mechanisms of whatever the subject you’re referring to. I learned that to have efficient literacy meant becoming a valuable member of a discourse community. The person running said the discourse community would probably land high on the hierarchy. The leader would know the ins and outs. Along with being able to teach in a class and still have more to contribute—fluency. A student of the trade compared to his or her teacher.
Not that one must be a part of a discourse community to have literacy. Or, be the head master of that community. This is just an analogy to show you that already, this topic has had different definitions in my brain. Learning about adding “digital to this, has completely fried it, aha. Who knew that adding a word such as digital, would change its mechanisms almost to an unrecognizable circuit.
Digital Literacy
So, what does it mean digitally? According to Doug Eyman, it requires its users to have the ability to read and write with a number of different sign systems. These include but are not limited to: video, audio, image, animation, and coded web pages. If you’re anything like me Eyman’s language can come off as pretentious and inaccessible. Here’s a simpler definition I found through a source of another students blog on the matter:
“The American Library Association’s digital-literacy task force offer this definition: “Digital literacy is the ability to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information, requiring both cognitive and technical skills.”” (Liana Leouwus. What is Digital Literacy? 2019.)
Then it being digital is primarily a skill to acquire. Just like any other, one must think critically and responsibly when using, learning, pertaining, and/or creating through digital technologies. I agree with Leu of Oconn who prefers the term “new literacies” as technology is always evolving. Therefore, digital lit., its definition and what that entails, will always undergo change.
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