Article Review: Connecting the digital dots: literacy of the 21st century by Barbara R. Jones-Kavalier and Suzanne L. Flannigan

In the article Connecting the digital dots: literacy of the 21st century authors Barbara R. Jones-Kavalier and Suzanne L. Flannigan discuss how the concept of literacy has changed in the 21st century. In their article, Jones-Kavalier and Flannigan discusses the issues surrounding digital and visual literacies which they see as the next wave of communication specialization.

Jones-Kavalier and Flannigan define being literate prior to the 21st century as “a person’s ability to read and write” (Jones-Kavalier and Flannigan, 13). However with the advent of the internet individuals must now become technology literate in both digital and visual literacy.

Jones-Kavalier and Flannigan explain that educating young students in these new literacies is difficult as “few educational organizations have developed comprehensive technology plans that specify technical learning objectives or ensure successful integration of technology to enhance student’s digital and visual literacy” (Jones-Kavalier and Flannigan, 13) There is simply not the professional materials or development to support educators. However, Jones-Kavalier and Flannigan argue that is no reason to throw in the towel. Students are digital savvy and educators need to move into the 21st century with them. Lessons need to be taught using streaming video and instant internet access; “the greatest challenge is moving beyond the glitz and pizzazz of the flashy technology to teach true literacy” (Jones-Kavalier and Flannigan, 14).

In their article Jones-Kavalier and Flannigan define 21st century literacy as “the ability to read and interpret media (text, sound, images), to reproduce data and images through digital manipulation, and images through digital manipulation, and to evaluate and apply new knowledge gained from digital environments” (Jones-Kavalier and Flannigan, 14). The most critical aspect of digital and visual literacy Jones-Kavalier and Flannigan believe is for a person to have the skills to critically think about what is viewed and read online.

This article is a call to action. No longer can we ignore technology in our classrooms. It must be embraced, used and students must be taught how to understand it. If we fail our students will miss out on an important aspect of literacy that goes beyond books and paper.

Source:

Jones-Kavalier, B.R., & Flannigan, S.L. (2008). Connecting the digital dots: literacy of the 21st century. Teacher Librarian 35 (3), 13-16.