Conceptions of Digital Literacy: Implications for Research Design

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Conceptions of Digital Literacy Implications for
Research Design

• Leo Casey,
• Centre for Research and Innovation in Learning
  and Teaching
• National College of Ireland
• EdTech 22nd May 2008

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Goals of this Presentation

• Introduce two digital literacy research projects
• Discuss theoretical conceptions of literacy
• Relate theory to research design
• Update on findings from both projects

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Digital Literacy in Irish Primary Schools (DLIPS)
Funded by the Department of Education and
Science Digital Literacy New approaches to
participation and inquiry learning to foster
literacy skills among primary school children
Team of researchers Leo Casey, Chip Bruce, Alan
Martin, Gerry Shiel, Abi Reynolds, Cliff Brown ,
Laura Coffey
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DLIPS Goals

• Draw on emerging theory to develop a framework
  for conceptualising digital literacy in the
  context of Irish primary education.
• Investigate structured digital media practices in
  classroom contexts in four primary schools in the
  Digital Hub area.
• Three questions
• (1) the nature of student engagement and
  participation,
• (2) the adequacy of the newly developed framework
  
• (3) the degree to which such activities foster
  traditional literacy skills.

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Know IT
Decisions to learn What motivates adults to
undertake a basic ICT skills course like Know IT?
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Summary
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Digital literacy
as Social Practice Associated with
situations Shared meaning Emphasis on tasks and
activities Qualitative/ situated research
as Skills Individual have/have not Specific
to technology/software Measured by tests
Quantitative/ experimental research
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DLIPS other theoretical components
Learning
Teaching
Bruce, B. C., Bishop, A. P. (2002). Using the
Web to Support Inquiry-Based Literacy
Development. Journal of Adolescent and Adult
Literacy, 45(8), 706-714.
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DLIPS other theoretical components
Learning
Teaching
Pedagogical knowledge
Content knowledge
P
C
Technology Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPCK)
T
Technology knowledge
Adapted from Mishra and Koehler 2006,
Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge A
Framework for Teacher Knowledge, Teachers College
Record Volume 108, Number 6, June 2006, pp.
1017-1054
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DLIPS Research Design
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Component Checklistnote this evolved and was
modified as part of the research process
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How to Make a Banana Split
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Know IT Research Design
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Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of
Technology (UTAUT)
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Case Study Interviews
Semi-Structured Interviews Grounded theory
analysis Emergent memos (mini-theories) Being
left out Proximity Time perspective
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Ben context
Ben is 48 years old and lives with his two
brothers Ben is a docklands worker hes been
driving containers in and around the port for
most of his adult life. One day Ben sees an
advertisement in the newspaper inviting people to
a free, government backed, course on basic
computer skills. Ben calls the number and, by
arrangement, he visits the local college the next
day and signs-up for the course. Why did Ben
make the call?
Ben
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Ben..

• and its just that I work around computers that I
  never went near them, the last what seven years
  in the last job I was in what I didnt learn from
  that from them, what I could have learned, and
  Im just ignorant passing by them every day
  knowing that here could you print me this or
  do this on it and all that but I was never
  there, here Ill do it meself whatever so I
  never went out and did it, and then looking back
  at me new job now Im just away from the office
  now and all that and Im away from computers and
  Im missing out somewhere along the line

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problem

• and its just that I work around computers that I
  never went near them, the last what seven years
  in the last job I was in what I didnt learn from
  that from them, what I could have learned, and
  Im just ignorant passing by them every day
  knowing that here could you print me this or
  do this on it and all that but I was never
  there, here Ill do it meself whatever so I
  never went out and did it, and then looking back
  at me new job now Im just away from the office
  now and all that and Im away from computers and
  Im missing out somewhere along the line

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Missed opportunity

• and its just that I work around computers that I
  never went near them, the last what seven years
  in the last job I was in what I didnt learn from
  that from them, what I could have learned, and
  Im just ignorant passing by them every day
  knowing that here could you print me this or
  do this on it and all that but I was never
  there, here Ill do it meself whatever so I
  never went out and did it, and then looking back
  at me new job now Im just away from the office
  now and all that and Im away from computers and
  Im missing out somewhere along the line

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Past self, recalled

• and its just that I work around computers that I
  never went near them, the last what seven years
  in the last job I was in what I didnt learn from
  that from them, what I could have learned, and
  Im just ignorant passing by them every day
  knowing that here could you print me this or
  do this on it and all that but I was never
  there, here Ill do it meself whatever so I
  never went out and did it, and then looking back
  at me new job now Im just away from the office
  now and all that and Im away from computers and
  Im missing out somewhere along the line

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Past possible self, recalled

• and its just that I work around computers that I
  never went near them, the last what seven years
  in the last job I was in what I didnt learn from
  that from them, what I could have learned, and
  Im just ignorant passing by them every day
  knowing that here could you print me this or
  do this on it and all that but I was never
  there, here Ill do it meself whatever so I
  never went out and did it, and then looking back
  at me new job now Im just away from the office
  now and all that and Im away from computers and
  Im missing out somewhere along the line

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Regret and exclusion

• and its just that I work around computers that I
  never went near them, the last what seven years
  in the last job I was in what I didnt learn from
  that from them, what I could have learned, and
  Im just ignorant passing by them every day
  knowing that here could you print me this or
  do this on it and all that but I was never
  there, here Ill do it meself whatever so I
  never went out and did it, and then looking back
  at me new job now Im just away from the office
  now and all that and Im away from computers and
  Im missing out somewhere along the line

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End Questions?