A New Definition of Literate.

Networked Media : Week 2

In the reading and the lecture for Networked Media the idea of being ‘literate’ was widely discussed. When I think about literacy I immediately think of print literacy and the ability to read. Though just being able to read is not enough to be ‘print’ literate. One must be an active participant with the text. To be able to absorb what it is they are reading and what it means. In the lecture and reading a different kind of literacy was discussed. Network literacy and Computer literacy.

What is Network Literacy, and how is it different to Computer Literacy? Well from what I gathered this week network literacy is to be an active participant in a range of online networks. To participate one must not only consume but create. Take this blog for example I am network literate by creating content, reading others content in the dashboard, and being part of a conversation by commenting on or sharing someones post .

What is Computer Literacy? Computer literacy is having the know in how a computer works and understanding what is going on in the “background” of the networks one uses.

I thought the way literacy was described in the reading was very interesting. I enjoyed the different takes on what literacy can mean in different forms of media and how it can go beyond what we normally may think of  as being ‘literate’.

In the workshop it was suggested (if interested) to take an online coding class. Coding is something I have always wanted to learn but have always been intimidated by. Sure I was able to make my Myspace snazzy as hell with some HTML cheats back in the day but beyond that I’m clueless. I just started learning Ruby on CodeAcademy and will update ya’ll with my progress on becoming more computer literate !