Digital literacy is
a necessity for children in the developing digital culture. The Future Lab
(Online, 2010:1) suggests it gives children
‘the skills, knowledge and understanding that will help them to take a full and
active part in social, cultural, economic, civic and intellectual life now and
in the future’. This means children should be given the opportunity to engage
with digital literacy and have access to a broad range of digital technologies
to prepare them for the future.
Both children and
teachers experience a lack in confidence with digital literacy, however the
seminar today highlighted the importance of experimenting with different
software to aid confidence and understanding.
The Leitch Review
of Skills (2006) stated that in order to maintain global competitiveness, the
UK needed to develop and enhance the 21st century skills of its workforce. The
foundation of digital literacy skills is based in the classroom. Teachers need
to develop children’s skills to enable them to participate in the digital
world.
Web2 technology in
education is developing rapidly and a range of software is now available for
children and teachers. The software, Tagexdo (Online) was extremely accessible
and I feel it could be used to introduce a topic by including the main words
that will be used during the lesson.
The National
Curriculum 2013 (Online) suggests that children must become digital literate to
be able to ‘express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and
communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as
active participants in a digital world.’ This responsibility falls on teachers,
as the foundations for a digitally literate child starts in the classroom. A
good starter would be to use JigZone (Online) as this allows children to build
up confidence with an accessible website that produces an enjoyable
result.
The Future Lab
(2010:15) suggests ‘digital technologies can support critical thinking by providing
opportunities for students to present an argument, evaluation or analysis’
(Online). Therefore, if Web2 technology is taught through cross curricula
links, then children can build a sound knowledge of the used software and
taught topic. A piece of writing can include a blog, audio or film meaning
children are building both critical thinking skills and digital literacy
skills.
Tagexdo and JigZone
are both accessible and child friendly websites, however children would not
gain skills such as, researching information on the internet or using popular
software such as Microsoft using these programs. Such basic software promotes
typing skills and understanding the basics of a website but children need higher-level
skills to be prepared for the future digital world.
Futurelab. (2010) Digital literacy across the
curriculum. London: Becta.
JigZone www.jigzone.com/ (Online) (Accessed 4th February 2014)
Leitch,
S (2006). Prosperity for all in the global economy – world class skills (HMSO).
Available online: hm-treasury.gov.uk/leitch (Accessed 4th February 2014)
The
National Curriculum 2013 (Online) https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/260481/PRIMARY_national_curriculum_11-9-13_2.pdf (Accessed 4th February 2014)
I agree with you on that Jigzone is a great start for the pupils to get confident with websites. You could start with picture puzzles and then let them turn a story ind to a puzzle.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you idea about using the technologies in terms of cross curricula links. Where the teachers are utilising the technology to improve their practice in helping the children develop their understanding of other skills such as in literacy.
ReplyDeleteI especially found the Leitch Review of skills interesting to and how you draw on needing to keep the UK global competiveness up regarding 21st century skills.
I had not previously heard of the Leitch (2006) review, but from your comment it seems extremely relevant to the classroom as school is now seen as the major influence concerning children's digital literacy skills with regards to becoming digitally literate future participants. I agree with the fact that Web2 technology can enhance children's critical thinking skills, however teaching and learning in the conventional ways offers this anyway. In this case, educators need to be aware of how it will further enhance teaching and learning, and not only use it 'because it is there'.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your comment at the end about children needing a range of more challenging websites to develop into digital literates. I found the websites accessible but in terms of creating a solid learning objective to follow was difficult!
ReplyDelete