Digital Literacy

In her blog, Keri Franklin describes the unique challenge facing anyone who is looking to join the multinational online conversation.  Trying or learning anything new can be daunting at first.  However, the process of learning the “dos and don’ts” of any online community is much more demanding than, say, learning a new math theorem from a textbook.  In regards to the theorem, you might learn how it functions and utilize it when applicable.  This process is quite straightforward and the whole thing is finished as soon as you solve the equation.  On the other hand, it may take years even after creating an account on any given site that you fully grasp certain aspects of a community.  This is very much a social process, as others on the site as well as friends who also use the site (as in Franklin’s experience) will most likely help to guide you and serve as a sponsor for you online literacy.  Once you learn the ins and outs of contributing content to any site, it becomes exponentially easier to figure out the varying quirks of other online communities, as there are many overlapping tendencies to each.  This might explain why it seems more difficult for older generations to grasp how to use Facebook, for example.  If you’ve ever had a Facebook profile and had to give in to the pressure of adding a parent or relative as a friend, you have probably experienced some form of embarrassment at their lack of how-to, such as posting a private message on your public “wall” or something similar.  In most cases, that Facebook profile is their only experience in digital literacy, beside perhaps an e-mail account.  Acquiring a digital literacy is a complicated and ongoing process, similar to learning a new language.  It is becoming increasingly important to have this skill, as we’re living in an age where having a blog is more common than owning a diary, and even heads of state have Twitter accounts.

My own experience with digital literacy first began when I received a computer for the first time in elementary school.  Although the only programs it had were Oregon Trail and Pong, I was introduced to how to use a mouse, keyboard, and the basic functions of the computer.  In middle school I began to join chat forums and eventually created a Myspace profile.  Through mimicry and emulation of my friends, I very slowly got the knack of what kind of audience to write for.  Over time I began to join other sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, Reddit, and certain MMORPGs.  My sponsors are varied for each site, and through criticism as well as the generous tips offered by others, my digital literacy has become more complex and will continue to do so as I expand my use of different online outlets.