When I started researching this topic all I could find was information on learning how to tell if someone in a commercial is telling the truth. That is not at all what I was looking for. I was looking for information on how students and others become proficient or comfortable using technology, especially new social media. Either there is an appalling lack of information of this subject or they are calling it something else. The best I can come up with is that it is Informational Technology Literacy or Tech Literacy. I avoided computer literacy as much a possible as I was trying to figure out how people use the information on the computer and not if they know how a computer works.
What I found is that there have been some studies to find out what students know about using information, programs and applications and how these students figure out how to use them. Many studies refer to this as Fluency in Information Technology (FIT). FIT is broken into three main categories. First is the basic concept of social and informational networks and how they work. Next is the ability to use programs or applications. Finally, there is the ability to use the information gained or to figure out how a program or app works. A 2001 study at Southwestern University found that students are independent thinkers when it comes to computers and they want to figure out programs and apps through play or trial and error. Few will read manuals or use tech support. If all else fails they contact friends for advice. Students see themselves as quick learners with a strong ability to retain information on using new media. The problem is as the study also shows that they lack any knowledge of basic computer skills so troubleshooting becomes very difficult. They want to learn media fluency but do not take the lead in doing so and most see computers as a place to play and are unskilled in on-line safety and virus protection (Fass-McEuen, 2001, p. 16). You can read the whole report here: http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/EQM0140.pdf
I didn’t really need a report to tell me this. I have seen first hand the realities of student’s media literacy skills several times. I have seen the inability to create an attachment in email. I have seen a student become overwhelmed by trying to narrow down informational searches or become frustrated at not being able to find any information. I like how this video describes my point.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWzigkpR7y
So the question becomes what are we as educators supposed to teach to aid student in media literacy and fluency when they prefer to figure it out themselves? Two researchers feel that we need to teach Generic Skills (1998). They say that rather than focusing on teaching the specific program or app we should focus on other skills (Anderson & Bikson, 1998). I agree with this point in that the programs and apps are changing so rapidly to teach a student on app is ill preparing them for the future. One of the skills they suggest is connectivity. This is how a computer connects to others in a social network, where that information goes and who can see it (Anderson and Bikson 1998). In other words, awareness and safety. They also suggest logic in that most programs and apps operate in a similar logical fashion. (Anderson and Bikson 1998) This means that by teaching a few skills of logic the student will be better able to figure out apps and troubleshoot issues correctly. They also suggest some other good points that should be taught. You can read the full report here: http://www.rc.rand.org/pubs/papers/P8018/index2.html
Another viewpoint on this subject is very well put in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-KqDXHB__M
Linares, C (2008 September 3) The Case for Computer Literacy [Video File] Posted to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-KqDXHB__M
References
Anderson, R., & Bikson, T. (1998). Focus on generic skills for information technology literacy (--). Retrieved August 8, 2009 from http://www.rc.rand.org/pubs/papers/P8018/index2.html
Fass-McEuen, S. (2001). How fluent with information technology are our students. Educause Quarterly, 36(4), 8-17. Retrieved August 8, 2009 from Google Scholar.
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