My thoughts on . . .

"Orchestrating the Media Collage." Educational Leadership March, 2009: 8 - 13. Web. 30 Sept 2009 by Jason Ohler

Jason Ohler's focus is the importance of digital literacy. Literacy has always been important in society. Those with the ability to read, write and understand words have always had an advantage over those who did not. But, in a technological society, it is no longer adequate to just be literate, one must be digitally literate.
Ohler defines digital literacy as the "skills, expectations and perspectives involved in a technological society." It means not only being able to use the various media forms, sound, graphics and moving images and but also being able to integrate these media into a single narrative or media collage. He also points out that the pace for the introduction and integration of these new technologies is accelerating.
In terms of practice, Ohler includes 8 guidelines for teachers to promote essential skills associated with digital literacy. He also highlights what he sees as the critical role of the teacher: as a guide responsible for helping students develop these skills. Teachers don't have to be the technical experts; students can and will figure it (technology) out on their own. What students desperately need is guidance. His final piece of advice to educators? Focus on expression first and technology second and everything else will fall into place.


1. In my work with students, I am always looking for ways to incorporate experiential, hands-on learning. It occurs to me that the media we use regularly: essays, posters and even PowerPoint do not embrace the richness of the media forms now available. Check out this example of student work ("The Power of One") shared by Marco Torres at the ACTEM 2009 conference:




How much more powerful is this video than if the same information was included in an essay or poster?

2. I appreciate art especially the visual arts. As I think about the types of media our students will have to be able to use proficiently, I have to agreed with Jason Ohler's observation that art is an important part of a student's education. Students without that background are at a disadvantage. It make's you rethink any decision to eliminate art from the curriculum.