Knobel, M., & Lankshear, C. (2014). Studying new literacies. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 57(9), 1-5.
Summary
In Studying New Literacies, Knobel and Lankshear discuss how literacy has grown beyond just reading and writing to include skills needed for today’s digital world. They describe “new literacies” as using digital tools like social media, fan fiction, and gaming, which allow people to connect, share ideas, and give feedback in more interactive and collaborative ways than traditional literacy. The authors suggest that teachers can make learning more engaging by incorporating these new literacy practices, focusing on teamwork and practical skills relevant to real-life situations.
Evaluation
Knobel and Lankshear present a compelling case for why new literacies are valuable in education. They use clear examples, such as social media and gaming, to illustrate how young people are actively creating and sharing knowledge in ways that differ from traditional classroom learning. However, the article could benefit from addressing challenges, such as limited access to technology or the difficulties of integrating these new approaches into typical classrooms. Including these points would offer teachers a more balanced understanding of the potential and limitations of new literacies in education.
Reflection
This article is valuable for my work in cybersecurity education, as it suggests that students are likely to be more engaged when learning includes digital, interactive tools. For instance, in programming courses, students could collaborate on code using GitHub or collaborate on a group networking project through OneDrive. These approaches align with the collaborative “new literacies” style and make learning more interactive. It also encourages me to balance traditional literacy with these new methods to ensure that all students can access digital tools while still benefiting from conventional learning approaches.