Week 6- Why should teachers care about digital literacy and childhood in the digital age?

Digital literacy can provide many learning opportunities for children’s development within the classroom context. One school has highlighted the many benefits that weblogs have had in both children’s enjoyment, engagement and attainment (Turnbull, 2010). Teacher John Mills, states that, “the children using weblogs are streets ahead of their peers in IT, and they have made greater advances in literacy then we would normally expect for their age group” (Turnbull, 2010; p.1). This highlights the positive influence that digital literacy can bring and is a major benefit for introducing the use in school practice.

Children enjoy blogging and are passionate about producing their best work, as their blogs will be read by a real audience, which enthuses children to put effort into their work, that they may otherwise have disliked (Evans, 2004 and Turnbull, 2010). Teachers should consider introducing digital literacies, such as blogging as they are free and easy to set up, whilst providing a fun, exciting learning stimulus for children (Evans, 2004). This module has introduced me to blogging and I have seen firsthand how easy it is to use and set up. I have also found how engaging the use can be and find myself putting in extra effort and pride into each of my blogs compared to other work, therefore I would definitely be keen to introduce the use into my future practice.

There has also been a recent push for the use of games being introduced in educational settings. Professor Constance Steinkuehler, suggests that games can be beneficial as they have a “larger effect on learning than traditional materials in particular areas, like language acquisition, science, mathematics and social studies” (cited in Hudson, 2013: p.1). Popular games such as Minecraft have helped younger children with the development of basic computer concepts. As well as helping shy and ‘unpopular’ children to develop relationships that they would not normally make (Ward, 2013). This highlights the positive impact that gaming can have on children and should be carefully considered by those teachers and parents who would usually dismiss the use of gaming by children. Ward (2013) also highlights the benefit that gaming had on his relationship with his own child. As paying an interest into his child’s gaming passion and playing it together, has provided them with many shared stories and happy times.

Technology companies, recognise the move towards gaming and technology as inevitable (Hudson, 2013). Sally Plumridge claims that the world in which children now work in is much more interactive and “bringing gaming into their lives really allows them to develop those cognitive skills.” (cited in Hudson, 2013). Therefore teachers should accommodate the new technologies that children enjoy engaging with to capture their attention, so that they can learn in fun and exciting learning environments.

Ultimately, teachers should care about digital literacy and childhood in the digital age as it is important that children are taught in engaging and exciting ways. The use of blogs and gaming are becoming more popular within the education setting and it is important that teachers continue to harness these exciting stimuli to enthuse today’s digital natives and support their development.

Bibliography:

 Evans, A. (2004) ‘The joys of text’ TES Magazine.

Hudson, A.  (2013) ‘Angry Birds game fires into the classroom’ BBC News.

Turnbull, G. (2010) ‘The seven-year-old bloggers’ BBC News.

Ward, M. (2013) ‘Why Minecraft is more than just another video game’ BBC News.