Digital Smarts - People Who Only Watch and Listen

As we confront the idea of misinformation creeping into our lives, especially from digital sources, many argue that we need redefine literacy for the digital age. Are we going to become people who “only watch and listen – a characteristic reminiscent of medieval times?” The idea that a source is only valid if written or printed is disappearing, and many people feel that seeing or hearing something gives it uncontestable value. A great example of this is the use of mobile devices to capture instances to share with the world rather than putting it in words or giving context to a visual. This is also creating a generation gap between kids and parents and students and teachers.

As Ruth Reynard puts it in her article entitled Redefining Literacy in the Digital Age “What is becoming clear is that increasing numbers of students do not have the skills required to understand conventional information sources and media, and older generations of people do not understand newer informational environments or exchanges. So, when folks are encouraged to "read" websites, that is not happening by individuals on either side of that gap.”