Emergent Digital Literacy

I am really fascinated by this unit - Emergent Digital Literacy. Jackie's report on two studies regarding children's media use illuminated my understanding of the concept. Digital literacy as defined by Merchant (2007) refers to those literacy practices and events that are mediated by new technologies. Jackie argues that young children engage in a myriad of literacy related activities from birth which are crucial in setting the foundation needed for later success in literacy. These activities revolve around media (such as books, magazines etc), popular culture (such as toys, games, artefacts etc) and new technologies (such as TV, films, computer, mobile phones, console/video games etc) Although I never thought about research in this area but having read this research report as well the one on Digital Beginnings, I recognize the need for educators to be adequately trained in the use of media and new technology to augment instruction and to meet the needs of young children in a rapidly burgeoning technological society. My interest in research pertaining to young children has grown stronger now that I have been introduced to research which focuses on young children's use of popular culture, media and new technologies and the implications this has for curriculum development for young children.