New literacy in the digital world : implications for higher education

Abstract

This presentation describes a number of contemporary technology-related developments and ways in which these transform human literacy practices. These developments create opportunities as well as challenges for education, and in particular require educational institutions (at all levels) to pay attention to emerging literacy practices. The presenter uses the term new literacy to describe a spectrum on emerging literacy practices such: information literacy, digital literacy, visual literacy, media literacy, tool literacy, critical literacy and social networking literacy. It is argued that to remain relevant, higher education institutions must be sensitive to these developments and respond to them in an effective way. This response should at a minimum consider relevant curriculum revisions and impact of the new literacy developments on the overreaching goals of higher education in the contemporary world. In addition, institutions need to promote appropriate pedagogical and assessment approaches that afford for new literacy practices to be developed and used. This presentation will outline some further strategies and present examples of activities designed to partly support and promote new literacy practices.