New Literacies: changing knowledge and classroom learning

TLDR

Literacy education remains rooted in an outdated outsider mindset that ignores the digital transformation of society, leaving students alienated by practices that no longer reflect contemporary knowledge and skills. The book outlines emerging digital literacies and the knowledge they entail, argues that education must shift from an outsider to an insider perspective, and proposes starting points for progressive reform.

Abstract

Literacy education continues to be dominated by a mindset that has passed its use-by date. Education has failed to take account of how much the world has changed during the information technology revolution. It proceeds as though the world is the same as before - just somewhat more technologized. This is the hallmark of an 'outsider' mindset. In fact, qualitatively new literacies and new kinds of knowledge associated with digitally saturated social practices abound. 'Insiders' understand this, 'outsiders' do not. Yet 'outsider' perspectives still dominate educational directions. Meanwhile, student 'insiders' endure learning experiences that mystify, bemuse, alienate and miseducate them. This book describes new social practices and new literacies, along with kinds of knowledge associated with them. It shows what is at stake between 'outsider' and 'insider' mindsets, argues that education requires a shift in mindset, and suggests how and where pursuit of progressive change might begin.