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| Students utilizing computers. (Pxhere, 2017) |
In today's world of technology, the amount of
information at people's fingertips is constantly expanding, and challenging them to
distinguish fact from opinion and even deliberate misinformation because of the sheer volume of choices available. Adults are occasionally swayed by irrelevant or inaccurate information that influences personal views. While adult consumers of information know that much of the content discovered through search engines and social media holds no real, relevant
meaning, the simplicity and accessibility with which the information is presented entices users to accept the easy offering and occasionally permit their own judgment to be altered. However, for children, this "ease of information" trap is easier to fall into. Children's
minds are constantly absorbing and processing information, some of which is
found through their own browsing of the digital web on platforms that they interact with daily. Students' ability to learn to process volumes of easy information mindfully- and better yet- how to conscientiously create this information, may very well make a critical difference in the choices they make in life.
Educators play an enormous role in guiding students to first identify what sources can be found reliable and then transfer that
into creating a reliable source themselves. Students must understand that their
digital footprint is just as important as the choices they make in everyday
life. According to Kristen Turner and Troy Hicks, "Crafting arguments in a
digital world could be one of our greatest opportunities to improve dialogue
across cultures and continents, or it could contribute to creating or
continuing bitter divides" (2017, p.7). This argument holds true in that,
just like actual words, digital arguments can leave a lasting impact on those
that read them. When done correctly, people can exchange thoughts and
knowledge with others around the world, thus making connections that might, otherwise, never have been made. By the same token, a person's careless use of digital formats to create arguments, offer misinformation, or broadcast detrimental or hostile opinions precludes the opportunity to contribute in a positive way.
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Never has it been more important for educators to guide children in how to listen, interact, and contribute to any argument, through written expression (whether digital or traditional composition) and through speaking (including using discussion forums and any number of presentation formats). By doing this, we not only help
guide students in becoming positive contributors to an ever-growing wealth of
information, but help to guide them in organizing their thoughts in more meaningful
ways. Kristen Turner and Troy Hicks state that “we need to engage them in
critical and creative opportunities for composing digital writing” (2017, p15).
It is crucial for students to participate in the composition of writing for them
to fully understand how the content within can impact those that
read it. Thus, comes the burden of finding activities that engage the
students, but also offer a chance for students to interact appropriately and fully understand what a digital footprint is and how important it can be.
The digital realm is growing every day, pushing the
importance of digital literacy to the forefront of education. “Instructing
students on how to use technology is just the first step” (Turnitin, 2018). The steps after technology instruction make the difference on whether their digital footprint
will be positive or another contributor to an ever-growing divide caused by
misinformation and poor arguments.
References
Hobbs,
R. (2019, July 13) What is digital literacy? [Video]. Youtube.
Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3tLZCXE2a0
Pxhere. (2017, March 14) [Photograph of students utilizing computers in a classroom]. Retrieved
Turner,
K., & Hicks, T. (2017) Argument in the real world: Teaching adolescents
to
read and write digital texts Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
Turnitin.
(2018, December 20). The growing need for digital literacy [blog
post]. Retrieved from https://www.turnitin.com/blog/the-growing-need-for-digital-literacy
Webwise.ie. (2019). Developing digital literacy skills [Clip art]. Retrieved
from https://www.webwise.ie/teachers/digital_literacy/
