How New Literacies are Relevant to Us.

 According to Vanek “Digital literacy development is a critical component of adult basic education instruction. ABE classrooms are filled with adults who may have had interrupted formal education, who might be developing literacy for the first time, or who may be struggling with numeracy or English language proficiency. For these learners, digital literacy can support or accelerate the acquisition of knowledge and the development of proficiency in a range of academic contexts (Harris, 2015).”

Digital literacy is relevant to us today as it is crucial for educators for many reasons which include preparation for the Digital World. In today's digital age, technology is pervasive in both personal and professional settings. Educators need to be proficient in using digital tools to effectively teach and engage with students who are thrown into this new age digital era. Digital Literacy also enhances our teaching methods by enabling us to leverage a variety of digital resources and tools to strengthen our teaching methods and strategies. This includes using multimedia presentations, online collaboration platforms, educational apps, and interactive learning materials to create engaging and effective learning experiences for students. It gives us unlimited access to information and resources that will aid us in providing positive enriching educational experiences by effectively browsing through the internet to get credible and reliable sources of information to supplement our daily lessons. Although we find many things online, we as teachers have to educate students on how to decipher good and bad information where their critical thinking and problem solving skills will play a part, it allows them to discern boas and evaluate their source. It is also vital that students understand that most of their future jobs will bring them to use technology. These digital skilled jobs are in demand  and we need to help prepare them to use the tools necessary to succeed.

In my professional experiences I use technology for read-alouds and dance breaks. The classroom ipad is accessible to the teacher only but at times the students sneak and switch to other songs they like to hear. It is evident that the majority of my students ( 3 and 4 years can navigate an ipad). 

Improving Digital Practices for Literacy, Learning, and Justice More Than Just Tools

"Improving Digital Practices for Literacy, Learning, and Justice: More Than Just Tools" emphasizes that digital literacy goes beyond merely using digital tools; it encompasses critical thinking, ethical considerations, and social justice implications. The article underlines the importance of us educators understanding the broader aspects of digital literacy to effectively prepare students for the intricacies of the digital world. It advocates for a comprehensive approach that integrates digital literacy with social justice education to empower students to navigate digital spaces responsibly, critically analyze information, and advocate for equity and justice online.

“Instead of placing trust in the latest gadget, faith must be placed in the expertise of teachers to sustain classrooms that reflect the contexts of learning that are encountered outside of schools and in the real world”. This quote stood out because as educators, although we are given a task and curriculum to adhere to, we must take into account real life experiences of our students, not only what they face but what they will be faced with  as adults and bring that knowledge onto the classroom.

Although the new digital era is making its way into the classroom there has to be some form of limitations and control as students may tend or be inclined to navigate other platforms not appropriate for educational purposes. It also should not replace you as an educator, the article speaks of things that technology cannot do in terms of real core discussions such as 

• Replace the fundamental core of a schooling experience: the relationships fostered and sustained between teachers and students

• Make school more interesting, engaging, or exciting for stu- dents simply by having wireless access or digital screens de- livering curriculum

• Act as a cure-all for legacies of inequity that cleave the educational, vocational, and socio economic possibilities for stu- dents within the United States and across the globe (ILA,2018).

Overall, digital literacy is important to educators because it enables them to effectively leverage technology to enhance teaching methods, access a wealth of educational resources, promote critical thinking skills, and prepare students for success in a digital world.

Improving digital practices for literacy, learning, and Justice. (n.d.-b). https://www.literacyworldwide.org/docs/default-source/where-we-stand/ila-improving-digital-practices-literacy-learning-justice.pdf 

Digital Literacy. (n.d.-a).https://www.air.org/sites/default/files/TSTMDigitalLiteracyBrief-508.pdf