The essential elements of digital literacies: Doug Belshaw at TEDxWarwick

Summary

The speaker explores the concept of digital literacy through the lens of everyday experiences, such as a child's initial interaction with a computer mouse and the evolution of behaviors with books and musical instruments. They discuss the importance of context in literacy, using UNESCO's definition to highlight its fluid nature. The narrative then shifts to the simplicity of iPads and the idea of 'elegant consumption' versus active creation. The speaker emphasizes the significance of remix culture in digital literacy, using the 'Success Kid' meme as a case study to illustrate how ideas spread and evolve. They introduce the 'eight essential elements of digital literacies' and advocate for a progressive, interest-driven approach to developing these skills, concluding with a call to action to move beyond passive consumption and encourage active participation in the digital world.

Takeaways

• 🧩 The script discusses the concept of pre-literate behaviors and how they relate to our interactions with technology, such as a child's initial confusion with a computer mouse.
• 📚 It highlights the importance of understanding preliterate behaviors with everyday objects like books and how they translate to digital interfaces.
• 🎸 The speaker uses learning to play a musical instrument as an analogy for the process of becoming literate in digital environments, emphasizing the need for practice and ingrained gestures.
• 🌐 The idea of literacy is explored beyond just reading and writing, to include 'elegant consumption' and the ability to navigate and understand digital content.
• 👵 A personal anecdote about the speaker's grandmother and her struggle with a new TV system illustrates the challenges faced by older generations in adapting to new technology.
• 🔄 The script touches on the concept of branching logic in menu systems and how it contrasts with more natural, linear experiences.
• 📱 The ease of use of an iPad is attributed to its simple, icon-based menu system, which lowers the barrier to entry for users.
• 🔍 The importance of 'remix culture' is emphasized as a central aspect of digital literacy, allowing for the creation and sharing of memes and other digital content.
• 🌐 The speaker advocates for a move beyond consumption to active participation and creation in the digital world, using tools like Mozilla's Hackasaurus.
• 📈 The eight essential elements of digital literacies are presented: cognitive, constructive, communicative, civic, critical, creative, confidence, and cultural.
• 🔧 The need for a progressive approach to developing digital literacies, focusing on individual interests and intrinsic motivation, is stressed over a linear, sequential model.

Q & A

What is the initial challenge young children face when using a computer mouse for the first time?

Young children initially struggle with the concept that the horizontal movement of the mouse corresponds to a vertical movement of the cursor on the screen, often trying to lift the mouse to move the cursor upwards.

Why does the speaker mention his one-year-old daughter's interaction with books?

The speaker uses his daughter's experience with books to illustrate pre-literate behaviors, such as picking up books upside down or trying to open them from the spine, which are fundamental to understanding how people learn to interact with different interfaces.

How does the speaker relate learning to play a musical instrument to the concept of literacy?

The speaker compares learning to play a musical instrument to literacy, noting that both require practice and ingrained gestures, and that proficiency can vary widely, from basic competence to exceptional skill, as seen in the contrast between novice guitar players and virtuosos like Rodrigo and Gabriela.

What does the speaker suggest about the nature of digital literacy based on the example of his grandmother and Sky Sports?

The speaker implies that digital literacy involves more than just reading and writing; it includes the ability to navigate complex menu systems and understand branching logic, which his grandmother finds challenging when trying to use Sky Sports.

Why does the speaker believe that the iPad is easier to use compared to traditional menu systems?

The iPad is considered easier to use because it has a simple menu system represented by icons, which reduces the complexity of navigation compared to traditional systems that rely on branching logic and submenus.

What does the speaker mean by 'elegant consumption' and why does he think we need to move beyond it?

The speaker refers to 'elegant consumption' as the passive use of digital technology without actively creating or remixing content. He argues that we should move beyond this to encourage active participation and creation, which is more aligned with the dynamic nature of digital literacy.

Can you explain the concept of 'memes' as discussed in the script?

Memes are ideas, behaviors, or styles that spread from person to person within a culture. They can take various forms, such as images with text, videos, or catchphrases, and are often shared and remixed across social media and the internet.

What is the significance of the 'success kid' meme mentioned in the script?

The 'success kid' meme is significant as it demonstrates the viral potential of images on the internet, how they can be remixed and shared widely, and the cultural impact they can have, even leading to commercial use, as seen when Virgin Media licensed the image for a billboard campaign.

How does the speaker define the 'eight essential elements of digital literacies'?

The speaker defines the eight essential elements of digital literacies as cognitive, constructive, communicative, civic, critical, creative, confidence, and cultural, with remixing at the core of these elements.

Why does the speaker argue for a progressive approach to developing digital literacies rather than a sequential one?

The speaker argues for a progressive approach because it aligns with the dynamic and constantly evolving nature of digital technologies and practices. This approach focuses on individual interests and intrinsic motivation, allowing for a more organic and effective development of digital skills.

How can memes be used for serious social issues, as per the speaker's discussion?

Memes can be used for serious social issues by amplifying ideas and making them more memorable and shareable. They can serve as a form of commentary or propaganda, influencing public opinion and potentially leading to real-world consequences, as illustrated by the remixing of images involving Lieutenant John Pike during the Occupy movement.