Re: computer literacy

From: Martin Owen (mowen@rem.bangor.ac.uk)
Date: Mon Mar 26 2001 - 01:21:26 PST


Mike writes:
I will be co-teaching a course in the communication department on
literacy and one of the things we are thinking of doing is to look at
all the XXXXX literacy extensions-- musical literacy, computer literacy,
technological literacy, etc. LiteracieS with a capital S, so to speak

Are there any good, critical treatments of the extensions of the term you
might recommend?

Mike, offer some references below. It appears that in Europe there is a
big business move on digital literacy the conferences described here are
being driven by Cisco , IBM and other likeminded players who seem unhappy
with the current programs of IT learning in formal education ( that seems
to broadly equate with the ability to use Microsoft Product eg the
European Computer Driving Licence)

The programme for a summit conference (big business+politicians) in May is
being prepared by smaller meetings, and the agneda for a meeting this week
is:
"The focus of the workshop is to consider what is required to meet the
European Commission's e-Learning target for schools ? "By the end of
2003, all pupils should be Digitally Literate, by the time that they leave
school"- and to look at recommendations that will extend digital literacy
to all citizens.

The workshop will attempt to scope the issues of Digital Literacy to be
addressed at the summit. The topics for the workshop will include: -

· Definitions of Digital Literacy
· Qualifications to demonstrate ICT and Digital Literacy
· New skills for the Information Society (e.g. collaborative working,
multidisciplinary needs, creativity, the adaptability of
inter-cultural communications and problem solving)
· Tools and support needed for the development of new skills
· Keeping skills up to date
· Raising awareness of the benefits of the need for every citizen to be
equipped with the skills to learn, to live and work in the Information
Society"

Mike some references from UK writing which may have not made it over the
Atlantic...

These are a bit old
T. Solomonides & L. Levidow (Eds.), Compulsive Technology London: Free
Association Books.
This is an edited volume from a European Radical Science Collective
John Beynon and Hughie Mackay " Computers into classrooms : more
questions than answers /London ; Washington, D.C. : Falmer Press, 1993
Which questioned the prevailing wisdom of computers in the classroom

( and other stuff by John Benyon).

Times of the Technoculture Kevin Robins, Frank Webster, Routledge
Theories of the Information Society Frank Webster 1995) Routledge,;
ISBN: 0415105749

Spaces of Identity David Morley, Kevin Robins, 1995) Routledge, ISBN:
0415095972.

There is, as I am sure you are aware an interesting piece on your own
server written by Bruce Jones.

There is some stuff relating to literacies of education professionals on
http://www.theknownet.com/ict/ict_vet/index.html

and humbly
http://ifets.gmd.de/periodical/vol_4_99/martin_owen.html

                                                                          
                                                                          
           Martin



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