Writer’s Blog 5: What Really Is Critical Digital Literacy?
In this new digital age where the vast majority of the information we consume comes from a screen, we have begun to hear the term ‘critical literacy’ more and more often, but what does it actually mean? I am by no means an expert but by learning, understanding, and utilizing my own critical digital literacy skills, I have come to find that by combining a variety of critical digital literacy skills that there are roughly 5 frameworks of digital literacies that should always be leaned on when evaluating a source; Decoding, Meaning, Analysis, Persona, and Use (TeachThought Staff, 2018). By observing and utilizing these skills both in and outside of the classroom, I have become more confident in my ability to spot fake news and understand the biases and credibility of each source I interact with.
Before diving into the 5 categories of digital literacy, I think it is important to note that it is impossible to be unbiased. No matter if you are an individual, a local newspaper, or a large platform, you have a bias of some kind. It is and always will be there. What we have to do is learn to navigate through it to find the most reputable, accurate, factual, and truthful story.
The first framework of digital literacy is decoding. This mainly centers around the overall structure and appearance of whatever media you are observing. Is all the information like the publisher, author, date, and other important details accessible and available to you as a reader? It is also valuable to determine if the source you are reading from is a legitimate news source or if it is simply satire. Incorporating these small practices into your media consumption can be extremely helpful as you navigate through the immense amounts of media we have at our fingertips.
The second literacy is meaning. The aspect of meaning is probably one of the most important, yet easily forgotten aspects of digital literacy. Branching from whether the source is legitimate or satire, it is important to determine what the purpose of the source you are consuming is. Is it an opinion piece, an interview, or an article? What is the language and grammar used within the writing? By determining these further aspects, it is easier to understand why this piece was even published in the first place, which helps you determine if it’s worth the read.
The third framework is analysis. This is where you determine the credibility and ethics of the source or writer you are reading. More often than not, articles are written to intentionally sabotage or cast a negative light on someone or something. Thus, it is important to decipher and dissect the ethical and moral values of a source you read.
Persona is the fourth framework within critical digital literacies. This concerns the external opinions of others. To gain a well-rounded understanding and appreciation of a topic or issue, it is critical to listen and see all the different opinions of the public. This is why conversations about popular or trending topics, like politics, are not always bad or stressful. We simply need to have these conversations with an open mind and be considerate of the fact that everyone has differing opinions.
The fifth and final framework is use. This refers to how we use the information we see online and in the media in our lives. Do we share the post, bring it up in casual conversation, or just move on? The way we utilize these digital literacies and how we portray them in the real world can affect how we interact and interpret online media in the future.
Through these five frameworks of critical digital literacies, it is fairly easy to see how they are all connected. While it is important to remember that we should practice evaluating our media correctly, we have to remember not to dig too deeply. It should only take a few seconds to evaluate the source for credibility. If we dig too deep, we give the fake news what they want; attention. The ethics, trustworthiness, and credibility of each source can vary because as mentioned, everything is biased in its own way. In this age of constant information, we need to be equipped and confident in our ability to find the best possible source in the quickest way possible. This ability to do so strengthens our own credibility and our ability to control how we consume and interpret media.
