Exploring Literacy in the Digital Age: From Pencils to Pixels and Digital Literacies

The two readings from this week explore the evolution and implications of literacy in the digital age. Dennis Baron’s “From Pencils to Pixels” takes a historical perspective, tracing the development of literacy technologies from traditional writing tools like pencils to the digital revolution of computers and the internet. It discusses how these changes have impacted education, communication, and culture. Baron addresses challenges such as the potential loss of traditional writing skills and the need for critical digital literacy.

Together, these works shed light on the evolving nature of literacy, from traditional forms to digital formats, and emphasize the significance of digital literacy skills in contemporary society.

What’s the takeaway?

To begin, after reading the two articles what stuck to me the most and what really “rang a bell” was the idea of traditional writing to the digital revolution. It’s interesting when the web was fresh out the womb and being developed, many people thought it would all be over once Wikipedia was up and running. Now we have this same fear with AI.

Furthermore, traditional Writing has developed and changed meaning over and over time as the internet has grown and developed. Now currently, traditional writing is writing that can be edited by a computer, or write by a computer for you. Doesn’t sound too traditional anymore. As we know, with AI on the rise this has and will most likely continue to impact education, and communication. The less work and brainpower people have to use I can only imagine how our own critical skills, and communication skills will be impacted.

To conclude, as AI technology continues to advance, its influence on education and communication cannot be overstated. As we navigate this ever-changing landscape of digital literacy and technology, it’s crucial to remain vigilant and proactive in cultivating our critical skills. The challenge lies in harnessing the benefits of technology while preserving the essence of what it means to be literate in a world where the very definition of literacy continues to evolve.