Virtual Symposium Critical Academic Reflective Blog Post: A Requirement for the Master of Arts in Leadership and Technology (MALAT) program at Royal Roads University
In the past few weeks, I viewed several live recordings of MALAT virtual symposiums (2017-2019), consisting of experts in the field of digital networked learning. I was most intrigued with the theme of openness (Cronin, 2017). I was forced to examine my personal beliefs about openness and how openness is related to teaching within secondary schools. Extending past my own limits of openness may be a way for me to expand my current definition of digital literacy and, consequently, strengthen my teaching of digital literacy.
Childs (2019) stated that the definition of openness is “a continually negotiated space whose definition is always a ‘work in progress’” (20:00). As well, openness refers to “collaborative practices which include the creation, use and reuse of OER, as well as pedagogical practices employing participatory technologies and social networks for interaction, peer-learning, knowledge creation and empowerment of learners” (Cronin, 2017 as cited by Childs, 2019, 20:00). Since the 1980s, online privacy has been an issue that has grown in urgency and importance (Dixon, 2011). Open digital practices expose people to potential dangers. Watters (2015) pointed out that in attempts to safeguard student data from advertisers, unscrupulous people and companies, 170 bills have been proposed in the year 2015 that would regulate student privacy. Most secondary students have their own technological devices such as phones, tablets and computers and choose to connect with others in the digital open. They are doing what humans do; they seek mentorship and make connections to ensure the survival of their environment. This is normal behaviour since social networks “are an essential part of being human” (Rhiengold, 2010, p. 20). Unfortunately, at my school, administration and teachers have reached a roadblock; and students are left experiencing most open learning independently. Students are not provided authentic, open digital lessons because teachers are limited due to following privacy laws. After listening to many of the virtual symposium participants, I was reminded of the benefits of openness and my constant battle with extending the limits of my own digital openness. As I thought more about openness, my thinking was directed towards digital literacy. How do we teach life-long digital literacy skills if we do not allow students to experience a complete, authentic version of openness fully?
Digital literacy “includes a wide variety of ethical, social and reflective practices that are embedded in work, learning, leisure and daily life” (Media Smart, 2012). Using, understanding, and creating are believed to be the three main principles in digital literacy, and of the three, understanding requires the greatest degree of openness. “Understand is that critical piece – it’s the set of skills that help us comprehend, contextualize, and critically evaluate digital media so that we can make informed decisions about what we do and encounter online” (Media Smarts, 2012). If we are graduating students into a virtual world, why are we not providing students with authentic digital navigation experiences and developing life-long, critical thinking skills within that world?
Childs (2019) pointed out that openness is complex. Marin Weller once said, “It has never been riskier to operate in the open; it has never been more vital to operating in the open” (as cited by Cronin, 2017, 5:00). Nonetheless, extending past my own limits of openness may help me expand my current definition of digital literacy and strengthen my practice for teaching and learning digital literacy. “Openness is a vehicle for educational change” (Childs, 2019, 9:15) and should not be feared. At the very least, I plan to experiment with extending my personal limits of openness and be ready for the opportunity to form a new type of digital literacy mentorship for my students. In the meantime, I may sit down, relax and colour Catherine Cronin’s page from the Uncommon Women colouring book (http://uncommonwomen.org/colouring-book-pdfs-now-available).
References
Childs, E. (2019, April 15). Openness and networked learning in a MA degree. [Video recording]. Retrieved from http://ow.ly/fFHu50qnns9
Cronin, C. (2017, April 20). Open culture, open education, open questions. [Video recording]. Retrieved from https://ca-sas.bbcollab.com/site/external/jwsdetect/playback.jnlp?psid=2017-04-20.0917.M.260AD3030AD273255B9B9C087E6864.vcr&sid=2009211
Dixon, P., & Gellman, R. (2011). Online privacy: A reference handbook. Retrieved from http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/royalroads-ebooks/detail.action?docID=766988
Mediasmarts. (2012). Digital Literacy Fundamentals. Retrieved from http://mediasmarts.ca/digital-media-literacy/general-information/digital-media-literacy-fundamentals/digital-literacy-fundamentals
Rhiengold, H. (2010). Attention, and Other 21st-Century Social Media Literacies. Educause Review, 44(5), 14-24. Retrieved from https://er.educause.edu/articles/2010/10/attention-and-other-21stcentury-social-media-literacies
Royal Roads University. (2013, September 23). Program Description Key Features [Text]. Retrieved from http://www.royalroads.ca/prospective-students/master-arts-learning-and-technology/program-description
Watters, A. (2019). The web we need to give students. Bright Magazine. Retrieved from https://brightthemag.com/the-web-we-need-to-give-students-311d97713713