Media literacy is a huge topic that is overlooked by our educational system. Today's students have grown up with technology surrounding them since they day they were born, so they are very aware it exists and they have many capabilities to use it. The difference between literacy and fluency, however, is huge. Technology literate students are capable of utilizing technology to complete the basic tasks they need, and they know how to communicate with other people. They know the names of apps, they use memes, they understand Wi-Fi and the basics of connecting to the internet.
Fluency, however, is a greater skill, and one that must be taught. To be fluent in technology, you must understand how to use it to its full potential. You must be able to recognize how technology impacts you and how you can use it to make yourself more efficient and effective. I feel like my generation is better at this because technology was clunky and slow so we had to find ways to use it that were beneficial because otherwise it was useless. Today's students have access to so many mindless uses of technology that they don't search for powerful and functional uses of it. Most of my students spend hours a day utilizing technology, but they can't use it to manage their time, money, or communications. They don't know how to email a teacher to ask for help, but they spent all night snapping with their friends. Fluency must be demonstrated and taught with intention just like math and reading if we truly wish our students to achieve fluency with technology. I believe tech fluency is a necessary skill for 21st century citizens to have if they want to be successful in college, careers, and life in general.
Fluency, however, is a greater skill, and one that must be taught. To be fluent in technology, you must understand how to use it to its full potential. You must be able to recognize how technology impacts you and how you can use it to make yourself more efficient and effective. I feel like my generation is better at this because technology was clunky and slow so we had to find ways to use it that were beneficial because otherwise it was useless. Today's students have access to so many mindless uses of technology that they don't search for powerful and functional uses of it. Most of my students spend hours a day utilizing technology, but they can't use it to manage their time, money, or communications. They don't know how to email a teacher to ask for help, but they spent all night snapping with their friends. Fluency must be demonstrated and taught with intention just like math and reading if we truly wish our students to achieve fluency with technology. I believe tech fluency is a necessary skill for 21st century citizens to have if they want to be successful in college, careers, and life in general.
