Digital Literacy and Adult Learners: An experiment in hypermedia reading

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Digital Literacy and Adult Learners: An experiment in hypermedia reading

Steven Weiland
Nathan Clason

Abstract

The abilities and dispositions required by today’s information and communications technologies are often referred to as “digital literacy,” one of the “new literacies” presented by the advent of digitalization across virtually all conditions of living and learning. In postsecondary and adult learning digital literacy is nowhere more evident than in distance education. For instructors and programs there is the task of reconciling the boundless optimism about the digital literacy of the “Net Generation” with empirical studies of just what today’s students can do in applying it to academic tasks. A study of students completing a hypermedia-based assignment showed that despite claims for their practices in online reading their performance in writing about the results failed to display effective use of online resources. In order for students to meet high expectations in using the Web they must be equipped with skills that are foundational to genuine digital literacy.

Keywords

Annotation

Digital literacy refers to not only writing and reading online, but also learning in electronic format. This trend require learners to search, interpret, write, and collaborate using online resources. Empirical studies on hypermedia based assignment and students’ writing ability indicated students’ insufficient ability to navigate despite their preference for online learning. Also, age plays a significant role in students’ digital literacy. Instructors should not expect practice/effect of hypermedia based learning solely from students’ attitude.

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About the Study

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