Literacy 2.0 Worlds and Literacy 1.0 Schools

I have recently read an article from Language Arts, it was titled "A is for Avatar: Young Children in Literacy 2.0 Worlds and Literacy 1.0 Schools".  This article was written by Karen Wohlwend and was very intriguing.  It shed light on changing times with technology in our society and how our schools have fallen behind.  This article also gives suggestions and shows how literacy 2.0 can be applied in classrooms. 

Today children are learning and being more knowledgeable because of our advancements in technology.  Children are also entertained now more by video games, electronics and television.  in a typical day about eight our of ten (0-6 year old children) use screen media.  This is the same proportion that read and listen to music.  Also more than half of the world now owns and cell phone and children under 12 in the fastest growing segment.  Today children learn more from images on a screen then print on a page. 

This is why its shocking how little schools have done to keep up with the times.  There is a need for schools to have more technology available for students and have it updated with new software.  Also teachers need to be trained on technology.  Teachers need to stop being novices when it comes to technology. 

Literacy 1.0 is what everyone grew up learning to this point.  These are analog ways of writing and is done with a single writer working alone.  This needs to change.  Writing is so essential because it is very easily tested.  There can be benchmarks easily set for each grade level.  Literacy 1.0 is something that can be tweaked and added upon to keep up with changing times.  A balance and acceptance of technology and digital entertainment can help students of this generation grow. 

Literacy 2.0 is a system that moves away from the individual interacting with print text.  It now integrates Web 2.0 interaction.  This wants students to interact and includes social networking, fan-fiction sites, wikis, multi-player video games, YouTube, and music.  As I am doing now this also includes participating through blogging, recording, remixing, uploading, and downloading.  Including play is also essential in Literacy 2.0. 

In the article there is an example of two young boys playing a video game with paper.  During this play they create the video game by drawing and writing in on the paper.  They create rules as they go and even have common seen items on video games.  These included health bars, characters, names, scene of where they fight and attacks from characters.  The boys work together and make up powers so each will be happy during play.  This is something that is a learning experience and can't be replicated under the traditional Literacy 1.0. 

Including play is something that needs to change.  If the children learn and know these video games, characters, and shows.  Why can't teachers use these to their advantage and include them into their curriculum.  We need to start creating videos and video boards.  Including comic and pop culture characters.  Let the children have those experiences like the boys creating the video game.  This is integrating today's technology to benefit the students.  I think this is a great way to push into a new technology era.  This will help students if done correctly and with practice. 

Focus on Policy: A Is for Avatar: Young Children in Literacy 2.0 Worlds and Literacy 1.0 Schools

Karen E. Wohlwend

Language Arts, Vol. 88, No. 2, From the Beginning... (November 2010), pp. 144-152

Published by: National Council of Teachers of English

Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/41804242