I swear I’ll be done with this topic soon! After my last post, in which I theorized the different types of literacy were more alike than not alike, I made a chart (because I misread the assignment- I’m supposed to make a diagram, not a chart. oops) about the differences between the 4 types of literacy I discussed before. I was surprised at how easy it was to separate these terms out into 4 distinct categories. Maybe they’re more different than I thought.
This is an awfully simplified version of the differences between Information, Media, and Digital Literacy. For the purposes of this table, I have treated the concepts as separate, but in reality there is quite a lot that is the same between all four concepts.
Note#1: I reserve the right to change this as I change my mind. :)
Note #2: On Jenny Levine’s suggestion, I’ve added “evaluating” as one of the primary activities in Information Literacy.
| Literacy | Information literacy | Media Literacy | Digital Literacy | |
| Primary Activity | Reading and Writing | Reading, Writing, Evaluating, Using | Reading, Watching, Listening, Writing, Using, Creating | Reading, Watching, Listening, Writing, Using, Creating, Combining (mashups), Remixing |
| Sources | Books, maybe newspapers | Books, newspapers, magazines, journals, vetted content | Books, newspapers, TV, Radio, Internet (mostly corporate/official content) | Text, Video, Audio (emphasis on user created/user filtered content) |
| Emphasis on | The basic ability to read and write, for fun and comprehension. | Finding good sources for information. | Being able to get information from various kinds of media. | Content over source. Being able to evaluate material for quality regardless of source. |
| Pros | Emphasis on reading for fun and comprehension can lead to deeper understanding. | Focus on authenticated information means less time spent determining accuracy of information. Also decreases chance of using bad information. | Embraces absorption of information from a variety of media, thereby expanding possible sources of information. | Maximum amount of information considered, delivery methods make it likely that information will be fresh and timely. |
| Cons | User can miss out on a lot of material not in traditional text based formats. | Focus on authenticated content means one can possibly miss out on other, useful content. Might ignore delivery methods other than text. | Major media outlets can leave out a lot of content and may be influenced by funding, some media hard to reuse or cite. | Focus on user driven creation and selection of content can lead to a confirmation bias, and popular does not necessarily = right. |
| Term used by | Everyone | Librarians, some educators | Educators (esp. K-12), some librarians | Educators, some librarians, and techno-proselytizers |
| Sometimes confused with | Level of intelligence | Bibliographic instruction, Library Use instruction | N/A? | Computer literacy |
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As a media educator myself, I would like to suggest the addition of the word COMPREHEND in the row PRIMARY ACTIVITY for media literacy. In other words, how does one understand what it is you are consuming? And to take it even further, how do you know what you know? Frank Baker, webmaster, Media Literacy Clearinghouse, http://www.frankwbaker.com
RE: “media literacy” and “sometimes confused with”, I’d slide “critical thinking (about media)” in there (?). I’ve been at workshops where the two phrases (“media literacy” “critical thinking [about media]“) have been interchanged somewhat… er… uncritically.
But that’s small potatoes. Mostly I want permission to print your chart and use it with my adult learners (for free). All credit, glory, etc. going to you, of course.
so? huh? can I?
I’m coming to this discussion pretty late, but I am curious as to what/who you’ve been reading. My research is in literacy studies and, since I also have an MLS, I’m always interested to hear/read how librarians and librarians in training view literacy, learn about literacy, etc. Nothing judgmental, I’m just curious.
k8- I will post a bibliography of what I’ve been reading soon (i.e. after this weekend’s classes sometime, probably.) I’ve been continuing to think about this, and it has been fascinating to hear other’s thoughts on the issue. I really appreciate everyone who has responded in the comments and on their own blog.
Great chart Karin!
Given my new position as 21st Century Literacy Specialist, I’ve been thinking a lot about different forms of literacy lately. I love what you’ve done here and I wonder about adding things like digital citizenship, collaboration, connections, and even, creativity. To me, those are both forms of literacy that are essential in the 21st century. Our society as a whole is changing, our culture is reshaping itself as we type, creativity, contribution, connection and collaboration are becoming more essential every day. Are those skills aspects of literacy as well?