To be literate, in the sense of being able to navigate a form of information exchange, is to to have knowledge and understanding of that form deeply embedded from years of teaching. Print mediums were commonly accepted as the key ‘forms’ of information translation, with books, journals and essays being some of its tools. However with the rise of the internet and the establishment of an online framework for information sharing, print literacy is quickly being overtaken by ‘network literacy’.

Knowledge is now being expressed and distributed in online forms such as online articles, social media, videos and blogs. Network literacy is being able to navigate the internet and these forms, participate with peers online, and have an understanding of the logics and protocols of these online networks.

The online content is being shared across the Internet and being woven together, creating an interconnected form of knowledge communication between internet services. This means that ‘the parts remain as parts at all times’. It also means that the distinction between consumer and creator is becoming blurred as it is easier to contribute content as well as access it.

• XML: A way to standardize the publication so that the information can be shared
• RSS: A syndication system based on XML that allows easy exchange of content between different services
• Tag: A keyword that is attached to content in order to make it easier to search for