{"id":681,"date":"2015-09-10T15:58:38","date_gmt":"2015-09-10T15:58:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mahabali.me\/edcontexts\/?p=681"},"modified":"2015-09-10T15:58:38","modified_gmt":"2015-09-10T15:58:38","slug":"plugged-in-or-turned-off-a-critical-reflection-on-the-digital-literacy-of-21st-century-students-in-higher-education","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mahabali.me\/edcontexts\/pedagogy\/plugged-in-or-turned-off-a-critical-reflection-on-the-digital-literacy-of-21st-century-students-in-higher-education\/","title":{"rendered":"Plugged in or turned off: A critical reflection on the digital literacy of 21st century students in higher education"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Heather Thaxter (UK) and Suzan Koseoglu (USA)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Heather<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Suzan<\/span><\/a> met for the first time at the <\/span>Digital Pedagogies Conference<\/span><\/a> (2015) this year. Heather chose the metaphorical title, \u201c<\/span>Connectivism: Plugged in or turned off? <\/span><\/i>Does Connectivity equal Inclusivity?<\/span><\/i><\/a>\u201d,<\/span><\/i> for a paper <\/span>she co-presented with her colleague, Jane Hunt<\/span>, in which they critically examined inclusivity in connectivist learning environments. In this post, we use the same metaphor Heather used in her presentation – being plugged in and turned off – to refer to our understanding and use of digital technologies in general.<\/span><\/p>\n

Since the conference, we have exchanged many e-mails and Twitter messages discussing issues around inclusivity and digital literacy in <\/span>connectivism<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>connected learning<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>and networked learning in general. <\/span>Through our conversations, we discovered that we shared similar educational visions and concerns with regard to learning on the World Wide Web. <\/span>We decided to open this conversation to a wider audience because as <\/span>Freire <\/span><\/a>noted:<\/span><\/p>\n

Knowledge emerges only through invention and re-invention, through the restless, impatient, continuing, hopeful inquiry human beings pursue in the world, with the world, and with each other<\/span>. (p. 72)<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In this post, we challenge common assumptions about digital literacies and access to technology in the 21st century classes based on our experiences. We hope you will join the conversation too by leaving a comment. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

Are you <\/span>plugged in<\/span><\/i> or <\/span>turned off<\/span><\/i>? What is the impact of technology on your teaching and learning? If you are like us, you feel simultaneously plugged in or turned off. No matter how hard we try, we still may not be aware of the bigger picture of how digital technologies can enable learning in so many different ways. We seem to be running flat out to keep up with emerging technologies whilst desperately trying to respond to the growing consensus that traditional learning theories are either obsolete or, at the very least, need adapting to meet the evolving needs of the 21st century learner. <\/span><\/p>\n

Quite rightly, there is a sense of urgency to bring education into the digital age, but we believe caution is needed when introducing new digital technologies and learning theories\/approaches aligning with those into our classes. We refer to the assumptions surrounding the digital literacy of our students. Our experience is that the 21st century learner may not be as connected and as technological savvy as one might think. In addition, even if students use digital technologies in everyday life, this doesn\u2019t mean that they are comfortable or experienced in using them for their <\/span>learning<\/span><\/i>. <\/span>This highlights the fact that the affordances of digital technology are not being fully utilised or indeed understood by a proportion of the student population. So what are the reasons?<\/span><\/p>\n

In Heather\u2019s experience of a <\/span>widening participation<\/span><\/a> context: primarily non-traditional students (mature, low socio-economic demographic) studying at a university centre in the UK, \u00a0there are students who are the first in their families to enter higher education and are still very much finding their voices. This directly links to having the self-confidence that they have something to say and, perhaps more significantly, that others will want to hear it. This seems to be more evident in mature students who are often less familiar with the affordances of emerging technology, especially in relation to learning. That is not to say that this is true of all students within that context. One digitally literate student used Twitter very effectively to garner opinion concerning the educational policies of opposing political parties and then after critical analysis, incorporated the results into a poster presentation. This student was confident both in terms of using technology as a learning tool and already having an online presence. Whilst he is certainly not unique perhaps this is where we are in danger of cultivating a one size fits all mentality, despite the fact that not all students, or indeed lecturers, are keeping up with the pace: their digital footprint is barely visible in some cases.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mature students in particular who have not been born into the digital world (in the context of widening participation), generally have certain fears and expectations about their return to education. Their educational biography is often shaped by a bad school experience, external social\/familial\/economic pressures and lack of opportunities, which sometimes results in learning anxiety. Often a student who has previously had a less than ideal educational experience and has taken the life-changing step to return to education will be hoping for, if not expecting, a nurturing, supportive experience the second time around. <\/span>Learning anxiety may be further exacerbated due to economic disadvantage because contrary to common assumptions not everyone has the financial means to buy digital devices or connect to the internet. <\/span>Therefore, if we are to introduce theories which are more compatible with the digitally connected world in which we live and learn, we will need to take such factors into account. The Connectivist approach, for example, promotes self directed learning where the onus is on the student to build a strong, individualised learning network because \u2018learning and knowledge is distributed across nodes\u2019 and then the student has to have the skill to make immediate decisions regarding the currency of that knowledge because the \u201c<\/span>capacity to know is more critical than what is currently known<\/span><\/a>.\u201d Whilst Heather acknowledges the potential of students plugging into a network which enables them to engage with and analyse diverse perspectives which they would not otherwise have been exposed to, she has also identified challenges that may turn them off. If the student is digitally illiterate, or digitally disadvantaged, this theory may be further alienating which, given the premise of connectivity and collaboration, is quite ironic. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In Suzan\u2019s experience of teaching completely online courses in her program area (learning technologies)<\/span>, her students\u2019 expectations are not that different from Heather\u2019s students. We think this is remarkable considering the differences in the two contexts. \u00a0<\/span>Suzan\u2019s courses are highly social \u00a0and encourage students to learn in a community via<\/span> a social networking platform<\/span><\/a>. <\/span>Most of Suzan’s undergraduate students (US) have been born into the digital world and <\/span>are affluent users of social media,<\/span> but they too have challenges in using technology for their learning. <\/span>It is common for undergraduate students to take more than four classes during each academic semester (typically equivalent to 12 credits; the expected workload for each credit is 3 hours a week) and work part-time to help with the high costs of college tuition. Students generally choose to enroll in online classes because they offer the flexibility they need to juggle work, study and social life. It is not uncommon for Suzan to see her students responding to discussions and working on class projects late at night until the early hours of the morning. Not surprisingly, many students have limited time to figure out new technologies on their own and need ample time and support to familiarize themselves with their course site and its structure. <\/span><\/p>\n

The challenges are not merely technical or due to a lack of experience and\/or knowledge. Students also have learning anxieties that directly tie into the traditional culture of teaching and learning in higher education. For example, they might feel the pressure to earn a good grade or feel deeply concerned about how they present themselves to others in class discussions and openly shared class projects. For some students using a highly structured classroom management system such as Moodle or Blackboard is more reassuring than a social networking site with loosely defined boundaries. <\/span><\/p>\n

Last semester, <\/span>Suzan taught a class in which students explored youths\u2019 use of social media from an educational perspective. <\/span>Inspired by <\/span>David Wiley’s call to end disposable assignments<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>and to encourage students have hands-on experience with an emergent technology relevant to the focus of the class<\/span>, Suzan asked her students to create a blog (<\/span>optional; <\/span>the blog could be open on the web or visible to course participants only) for their independent research projects. But it was challenging for Suzan to explain to her students the <\/span>ethos of blogging <\/span><\/a>and the necessity of creating something that would have value outside of “class walls.” Some students posted long traditional essays for their blog posts (with course descriptions at the beginning and paper-based citation formats), some students copied to their posts large chunks of content from other sites, some students created beautiful designs ticking every box for the minimum requirements for the assignment, but nothing more. Suzan was struck by the diversity in how students approached blogging – getting rid of the disposable assignments wasn\u2019t as easy as she thought it would be. Students had blogs but not everyone had a voice in them – it hadn\u2019t become <\/span>a space for them<\/span><\/a> to be present on the web. <\/span><\/p>\n

How can we help our students have a voice in a networked learning context, informally or otherwise? How can we facilitate a welcoming and a suitable environment for our students: a space which enables each learner to get the most out of their learning experience?<\/span><\/p>\n

These are not easy questions to address, but we argue that we can at least start by critically reflecting on our assumptions regarding the digital literacy of our students. To be precise, we should not assume that our students have easy access to the Internet and tools\/devices; are technologically competent; and are confident in using digital technologies. To be \u201cplugged in,\u201d we have to ensure everyone (teachers included) has access to the tools and competency in using them efficiently. Perhaps, more importantly, we have to nurture students in this process so that, hopefully, they will gain the confidence and willingness to use technology effectively for their learning, and rather than being \u201cturned off,\u201d their learning will extend beyond the confines of the classroom into the connected world.<\/span><\/p>\n

Without dismissing the need for scaffolding strategies, being connected implies partnership and we believe the best guidance happens when we work alongside our students, when we see ourselves as <\/span>learners<\/span><\/i> as well. Suzan, for example, could have blogged along with her students to model writing for a public audience on the web and engage in a more authentic dialogue with her students. That way perhaps she could better help <\/span>her students \u201c<\/span>develop the awareness, skills, habits and dispositions necessary to take full advantage of the affordances of the web<\/span><\/a>.\u201d Heather could strengthen her own digital presence and become a node in the network, thereby providing a familiar starting point for her students, whilst guiding them to other nodes. <\/span><\/p>\n

It is important for students to know that we don’t know everything and are still learners ourselves especially with regard to technology. Showing our willingness to explore and attempt new things\u2026sharing our failures as well as successes…learning with and from our students\u2026 These are the types of things we might consider in our teaching because we (students and teachers) are all in the same boat with regard to navigating the open sea of numerous, unimaginable possibilities. There will be waves that may threaten to rock the boat or even capsize it and the fear of this (setbacks, failures) is often at the heart of the resistance to change\/reluctance to explore those possibilities but connectivity – the idea that we are learning <\/span>together – <\/span><\/i>offers a lifejacket.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

About the Authors<\/strong>:\r\n\r\n\"Heather<\/a>\r\n\r\nHeather Thaxter<\/strong> is (about to begin) studying for an MA in Literature and Digital Culture and has a background in English, specialising in literacy. Having taught in further and higher education, most recently on the Initial Teacher Training programme at University Centre Doncaster, Heather\u2019s research focus is on digital literacy in the context of widening participation. Heather is currently researching connectivism through the lens of inclusivity.\r\n\r\n\r\n\"Suzan<\/a>\r\nSuzan Koseoglu<\/strong> is a PhD candidate in Learning Technologies in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Minnesota. Suzan's research focus is on online education with an emphasis on pedagogy and socio-cultural aspects of learning. Suzan has taught classes on the ethics of online technologies, youths\u2019 use of social media, and online learning communities. \r\n\r\n<\/pre>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Heather Thaxter (UK) and Suzan Koseoglu (USA) Heather and Suzan met for the first time at the Digital Pedagogies Conference (2015) this year. Heather chose the metaphorical title, \u201cConnectivism: Plugged in or turned off? Does Connectivity equal Inclusivity?\u201d, for a paper she co-presented with her colleague, Jane Hunt, in which they critically examined inclusivity … Continue reading Plugged in or turned off: A critical reflection on the digital literacy of 21st century students in higher education<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[6,33,3,23],"tags":[43,30,29,44],"class_list":["post-681","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-contexts-matter","category-inclusivity","category-pedagogy","category-teaching","tag-connectivism","tag-education","tag-learning","tag-technology"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4zKau-aZ","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mahabali.me\/edcontexts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/681","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mahabali.me\/edcontexts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mahabali.me\/edcontexts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mahabali.me\/edcontexts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mahabali.me\/edcontexts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=681"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/mahabali.me\/edcontexts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/681\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":691,"href":"https:\/\/mahabali.me\/edcontexts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/681\/revisions\/691"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mahabali.me\/edcontexts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=681"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mahabali.me\/edcontexts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=681"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mahabali.me\/edcontexts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=681"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}