Abstract
As web-based technologies have changed teaching and learning and the support of
learning, what it means to be literate has also changed. Reading and writing are now only
part of what people have to learn in order to communicate in a technology driven society. A
new concept of literacy has emerged that is variously described as e-literacy, digital literacy,
silicone literacies, technological literacies, and multi-literacies. This paper offers a synthesis
of the literature relating to literacy, e-literacy and e-learning. It discusses current definitions
of literacy and e-literacy and applies them to the context of e-learning. This analysis was
undertaken as part of a Learning and Teaching Fellowship project within Learning Services
at Edge Hill University. The purpose was to identify a range of practical support solutions to
enable learners become more e-literate. This paper describes the findings of the analytical
first stage of the project and the early second stage: identifying asynchronous discussion as
an area of focus and supporting novice e-learners by modelling good practice.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 97-108 |
| Journal | ITALICS (Innovation in Teaching and Learning in Information and Computer Sciences) |
| Volume | 5 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 2006 |
Keywords
- asynchronous discussion
- digital literacy
- e-learning
- multi-literacies
- online learning.