Digital Literacy: A Powerful Tool for Educational Change

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National Literacy Trust (NLT) studies suggest that overall a large proportion of pupils of all ages enjoy writing. The 2009 study suggests that 45 per cent of pupils enjoy writing (Clark & Dugdale, 2009), while the 2011 study shows and increase of 2 per cent. To improve standards in writing Vincent (2006), implies that given the existence noytimtext in multimodal formats. However digital literacies is un-signified in the literacy pedagogies of many schools and multimodal scaffolding is essential for some pupils to communicate ideas effectively (p.51). Today’s educational system is very much reliant on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and digital literacies such as the Internet and social media among others. Kent and Facer (2004), indicate that pupils participate in a wide range of computer activities and progressively, digital literacies are being applied successfully in instructions, learning, and assessments. It has rapidly become a powerful tool for educational change and remodelling.

A number of studies have shown that appropriate use of digital literacies raises educational quality and connects learning to real life situations (Lowther, et al. 2008; Weert and Tatnall 2005). Having a strong understanding of what literacy is will assist us in designing learning environments and teaching strategies to develop it (Kress, 2003: 23). Guymon (2014), stresses that, the effective use of this 21st century technology involves becoming competent in word based communication and in our ability to express ourselves and construe others ideas through visual literacy. Pupils gain a deep rooted understanding of concepts when they are encouraged and given the tools to create non-verbal representations of concepts. When combining ...

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...room. Literacy, 40(1), 51–57. www.blackwell-synergy.com

Walsh, M. (2009). Multimodal Literacy Project 2009. A joint project of the Catholic Education Office Sydney and the School of Education NSW, Australian Catholic University. Strathfield, NSW: School of Education NSW, Australian Catholic University.

Walsh, M. (2009). In Pedagogic Potentials of Multimodal Literacy. CA: IGI Global.

Wheeler, S. (2009).Teaching with Twitter. http://steve-wheeler.blogspot.com/2009/01/teaching-with-twitter.html last accessed on 11 April 2014.

Wheeler, S (2010). Lifelong Learning in a Digital Age. Joint Learning and Teaching Conference. Portsmouth: http://steve-wheeler.blogspot.com/. last accessed on 28th March 2014.

Weert, T. & Tatnall, A., Eds. (2005). Information and Communication Technology & Real-Life Learning: New education for the knowledge society. New York, Springer.

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