Part A:
Just what are New Media literacies and competencies? Have I got them yet?
It is interesting to note that Lievrouw (2012) has remarked that New Media competencies, such as creativity and organization, are important for success in the New Media world. That terminology resonated with me since adult literacy programs promote Essential Skills competencies for success in the employment world, such as reading or document use to a complexity level 5 (Ontario Ministry of Education, 2014). No matter the competencies or the venue, the idea is the same. There are certain things you need to do well to perform a specific task; assessment helps a learner know what he or she still needs.
If I had done an initial assessment for myself , as needed in adult literacy programs, I would have been at a task-based complexity level 1 in New Media literacy . I knew how to pursue information on the internet, had dabbled with a few avatars for another adult education course, and loaded videos onto YouTube. But I was what you call a jagged-edged learner because had you assessed my knowledge you would have found big gaps in my understanding of social media, gaps that hindered effective use. Currently, I would say that I am at a complexity level 3, which still gives the acknowledgement that there is a lot I still need to know about New Media literacy. My tool kit now includes my favourite New Media, Twitter, and this blog, plus a host of others such as Pinterest and Slideshare, but also a recognition of the 'moving and shaking' behind the scene, such as the ongoing discussion of copyright laws built for a different time and a different media.
I have learned about who uses social media sites like Facebook and Instagram and why they use them. I have considered music and video remixing and the conflict between those who advocate for the freedom to copy whatever they want in the new digital age versus those who want tighter and tighter control over intellectual property. I have dabbled in Pinterest and liked the creativity of that site. My least favourite site was GetGlue since I didn't have any personal need for it, yet recognized what a great advertising vehicle it is for the companies who invest in and produce TV and movies.
Just what are New Media literacies and competencies? Have I got them yet?
It is interesting to note that Lievrouw (2012) has remarked that New Media competencies, such as creativity and organization, are important for success in the New Media world. That terminology resonated with me since adult literacy programs promote Essential Skills competencies for success in the employment world, such as reading or document use to a complexity level 5 (Ontario Ministry of Education, 2014). No matter the competencies or the venue, the idea is the same. There are certain things you need to do well to perform a specific task; assessment helps a learner know what he or she still needs.
If I had done an initial assessment for myself , as needed in adult literacy programs, I would have been at a task-based complexity level 1 in New Media literacy . I knew how to pursue information on the internet, had dabbled with a few avatars for another adult education course, and loaded videos onto YouTube. But I was what you call a jagged-edged learner because had you assessed my knowledge you would have found big gaps in my understanding of social media, gaps that hindered effective use. Currently, I would say that I am at a complexity level 3, which still gives the acknowledgement that there is a lot I still need to know about New Media literacy. My tool kit now includes my favourite New Media, Twitter, and this blog, plus a host of others such as Pinterest and Slideshare, but also a recognition of the 'moving and shaking' behind the scene, such as the ongoing discussion of copyright laws built for a different time and a different media.
I have learned about who uses social media sites like Facebook and Instagram and why they use them. I have considered music and video remixing and the conflict between those who advocate for the freedom to copy whatever they want in the new digital age versus those who want tighter and tighter control over intellectual property. I have dabbled in Pinterest and liked the creativity of that site. My least favourite site was GetGlue since I didn't have any personal need for it, yet recognized what a great advertising vehicle it is for the companies who invest in and produce TV and movies.
Both Lievrouw and Rheingold consider this idea of New Media competencies, and I think that just might be where the benefits and constraints come into play for a learner or for society. Consider Lievrouw's discussion about competencies and the 11 core skills of new media literacies: "play, performance, simulation, appropriation, multitasking, distributed cognition, collective intelligence, judgment, transmedia navigation, networking, and negotiation” (Lievrouw, 2012, p.626).
Rheingold (2010) considers competencies such as attention, participation, collaboration, network awareness, and critical consumption (para. 2). Both these authors have hit on competencies that can benefit both the learner and society: innovation, personal and societal well-being, collaboration, teaching, constructive knowledge, and consensus. But the same competencies can bring about constraint if the structures that support those competencies are not in place, such as infrastructure or governmental policies that allow and promote more New Media learning and use.
For example, rural communities can be constrained by lack of access; the global South can be constrained by those who have New Media literacies inhibiting those who do not, such as in totalitarian states.Who knows what collective intelligence is lost when countries limit use, such as Turkey has recently done. But for now, for me, I come back to the initial discussion about what this course has meant to me. I find that not only has it greatly supported my learning in other courses this term, specifically Adult Education in the Global Context , or Community Outreach and Literacy, but it has helped me understand more of what is happening in my community. I am going to continue using my New Media literacy and want to continue to expand my knowledge. Next week, I'm taking a Twitter webinar to see how I can fine tune my skills in a more focused way for adult literacy. So, the learning continues!
Rheingold (2010) considers competencies such as attention, participation, collaboration, network awareness, and critical consumption (para. 2). Both these authors have hit on competencies that can benefit both the learner and society: innovation, personal and societal well-being, collaboration, teaching, constructive knowledge, and consensus. But the same competencies can bring about constraint if the structures that support those competencies are not in place, such as infrastructure or governmental policies that allow and promote more New Media learning and use.
For example, rural communities can be constrained by lack of access; the global South can be constrained by those who have New Media literacies inhibiting those who do not, such as in totalitarian states.Who knows what collective intelligence is lost when countries limit use, such as Turkey has recently done. But for now, for me, I come back to the initial discussion about what this course has meant to me. I find that not only has it greatly supported my learning in other courses this term, specifically Adult Education in the Global Context , or Community Outreach and Literacy, but it has helped me understand more of what is happening in my community. I am going to continue using my New Media literacy and want to continue to expand my knowledge. Next week, I'm taking a Twitter webinar to see how I can fine tune my skills in a more focused way for adult literacy. So, the learning continues!
M8.2 Part B Three Things I've Learned in New Media Literacy
I've learned a lot about New Media Literacy since this journey started late last summer. While my friends have been rather bemused by my social media interest and continuing education goals, I have found that I have a sense of accomplishment from acquiring new skills that not only have helped me become more connected in my community, but have helped me as an adult literacy facilitator and program coordinator. Three important things I've learned are that you need to be aware of the differences between traditional media and new media: surveillance, whether participatory or not, consuming social media, and producing social media. There have been discussions about the benefits and constraints of using social media, including how intellectual property laws are creating such tension with remixers, downloading movies, and streaming music. New media literacy is a huge subject, but here are three of the innumerable social media tools that have helped me work through everything I just mentioned and started the process for making my voice heard in a very busy social media world.
My favourite new literacy is blogging. It is a great way to creatively make your voice heard for personal reasons, social action, learning activities, or even making money. Yes, I've even seen tips on blogging that promote embedding advertisement in order to fund your coffers. But learning about online history, identity, and participatory surveillance makes me think that I'm probably more interested in blogging for the sake of promoting adult literacy than for any monetary gain. However, inserting advertisements as social enterprise might just be an option for adult literacy, so you never know.
I've learned a lot about New Media Literacy since this journey started late last summer. While my friends have been rather bemused by my social media interest and continuing education goals, I have found that I have a sense of accomplishment from acquiring new skills that not only have helped me become more connected in my community, but have helped me as an adult literacy facilitator and program coordinator. Three important things I've learned are that you need to be aware of the differences between traditional media and new media: surveillance, whether participatory or not, consuming social media, and producing social media. There have been discussions about the benefits and constraints of using social media, including how intellectual property laws are creating such tension with remixers, downloading movies, and streaming music. New media literacy is a huge subject, but here are three of the innumerable social media tools that have helped me work through everything I just mentioned and started the process for making my voice heard in a very busy social media world.
My favourite new literacy is blogging. It is a great way to creatively make your voice heard for personal reasons, social action, learning activities, or even making money. Yes, I've even seen tips on blogging that promote embedding advertisement in order to fund your coffers. But learning about online history, identity, and participatory surveillance makes me think that I'm probably more interested in blogging for the sake of promoting adult literacy than for any monetary gain. However, inserting advertisements as social enterprise might just be an option for adult literacy, so you never know.
There's more to New Media Literacy than just blogging - there's Twitter!
Connecting with #comm2f00 has helped me lose the fear of 'putting it out there' for all to see or hear. I think the fact that tweets happen so often and so concisely is a great way to gather information. You don't have to be tweeting all day long or worry about being incredibly profound; you can use Twitter to find out what is happening in your community. Connecting and networking with others builds social capital, the fabric that helps community strength be of most effect.
I started following other literacy organizations and have been able to get a broader view of literacy advocacy and current events, trends and opportunities for networking and webinars.
Here is a link to a YouTube video that shows me that I still have a lot to learn to not only gather information but build relationships.
I think this New Media literacy will have a lot of spinoff in adult literacy circles. Considering that at least 10% of literacy learners find out about programs via word of mouth, Twitter is a good way to get the message out. What's great about Twitter is that so many people are using it, broadening the amount of information. Even Hilary Clinton tweets. Check out this YouTube.
Connecting with #comm2f00 has helped me lose the fear of 'putting it out there' for all to see or hear. I think the fact that tweets happen so often and so concisely is a great way to gather information. You don't have to be tweeting all day long or worry about being incredibly profound; you can use Twitter to find out what is happening in your community. Connecting and networking with others builds social capital, the fabric that helps community strength be of most effect.
I started following other literacy organizations and have been able to get a broader view of literacy advocacy and current events, trends and opportunities for networking and webinars.
Here is a link to a YouTube video that shows me that I still have a lot to learn to not only gather information but build relationships.
I think this New Media literacy will have a lot of spinoff in adult literacy circles. Considering that at least 10% of literacy learners find out about programs via word of mouth, Twitter is a good way to get the message out. What's great about Twitter is that so many people are using it, broadening the amount of information. Even Hilary Clinton tweets. Check out this YouTube.
My third highlight about New Media Literacy is in becoming a 'produser' using information on the internet and compiling it into a piece of journalistic work. I found that once again my voice was being heard. So, whether advocating in an opinion editorial piece, for human interest, or to help a story get more 'press', using a website to build an article is a New Media literacy I want to continue.
Storify or other similar sites would be great tools for the adult literacy classroom. Articles about funding, student success, and program announcements can be made in social media, which is important since many learners use social media much more than traditional media.
Click on this YouTube link to see a video about creating a story. And below is another YouTube video about the great use of social journalism.
Here is a link to my first Storify project https://storify.com/linbrookslbs/always-ask-for-help-legacy-lives-on
Well, #comm2f00 is coming to an end for me. I had no idea I would so thoroughly enjoy this course. For a woman who was dragged kicking and screaming into the computer age in the mid 90s, I have come a long way. I'm not an expert, not by any stretch of the imagination, but I have learned that I can use these tools to make a contribution to the 'conversation' in the community, be aware of issues behind New Media, and use new technology to build constructive knowledge in adult literacy.
Stay tuned for more blogs about adult literacy!
Stay tuned for more blogs about adult literacy!
References
http://www.pinterest.com/asdfghjkllauren/ms-thompsons-classroom/
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/317644579940771590/
Lievrouw, L. A. (2012). The Next Decade in
Internet Time: Ways Ahead for New Media Studies. Information, Communication
& Society. 15:5. pp 616-638. http://bit.ly/14MGMBr
Rheingold, H. (2010). Attention, and Other
21st-Century Social Media Literacies. EDUCAUSE Review. 45:5. pp. 14-24.
http://bit.ly/S0yO1z
http://www.skills.edu.gov.on.ca/OSP2Web/EDU/DisplayEssentialSkills.xhtml
http://www.pinterest.com/asdfghjkllauren/ms-thompsons-classroom/
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/317644579940771590/
Lievrouw, L. A. (2012). The Next Decade in
Internet Time: Ways Ahead for New Media Studies. Information, Communication
& Society. 15:5. pp 616-638. http://bit.ly/14MGMBr
Rheingold, H. (2010). Attention, and Other
21st-Century Social Media Literacies. EDUCAUSE Review. 45:5. pp. 14-24.
http://bit.ly/S0yO1z
http://www.skills.edu.gov.on.ca/OSP2Web/EDU/DisplayEssentialSkills.xhtml