Valuing the local within the global: A discourse analysis of professional development in a U.S.-Kurdish transnational university partnership

In an effort to support higher education in developing countries, partnerships between U.S. and international universities have surged, raising questions concerning the social equity of such linkages. Using a New Literacy Studies approach to discourse analysis, online transcripts from one such university partnership were analyzed to determine how language was used to negotiate a more equitable partnership through the adaptation of the social context of professional development activities. Discourse analysis of three relevant linguistic markers in the data suggests that cultural perspectives on professional development influenced the language choices made by university partners, reshaping the power structure toward greater social equity, and aiding in the completion of joint professional development goals. Findings underscore the importance of drawing on local knowledges in planning for and conducting transnational university partnerships.

Exploring the university research scholars’ information literacy competency: a focus on the knowledge and skills

Purpose This study aims to determine the level of knowledge in searching, evaluating, information management competency and to find differences among research scholars’ in terms of their information literacy (IL) competency with regards to gender and academic designation. Design/methodology/approach A survey method was conducted to collect the data from the research scholars’ pursuing their doctoral degrees in Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tamil Nadu, India. Findings The results of this study revealed that the majority have used simple search and were not using the Online Public Access Catalogue. They were not able to assess the information retrieved and the assistance from the library staff to locate the resources was found to be minimal. This study also highlighted some of the problems faced by the research scholars and provided some suggestions based on the findings. This study highlights the need to adopt a new IL framework and conduct user literacy training programmes for effective use of the resources. Practical implications This study also has practical implications in terms of assessing the IL competency among the research scholars and significant variations which identified through demographics and assessment of IL competency will enable policymakers to develop a framework for brand new literacy instructions. The results may help to frame long-term strategies to motivate and train the research scholars in the effective use of technologies for improving their academic performance. Originality/value This study used a questionnaire as tool to collect the data. The outcome of the results will help the librarians and authorities to discuss research scholars’ IL competency and take appropriate decisions to improve their IL skills.

Spatial Thinking as a Path Towards Computational Thinking

Considering what we know about computational thinking, how much of this cognitive domain hangs on one's ability to think spatially? Is spatial thinking a hidden foundational property for developing strong computational thinking skills? If coding is the new literacy for 21st century thinking, educators must diversify their methodology of instruction. Mathematics must not be the only pathway to computational thinking, computer science, and coding. This book chapter opens up new insight into spatial reasoning, showing it as a new viable method to give students the computational thinking skills necessary to thrive in STEM fields. Finally, this chapter presents concepts found in shape grammars as a methodology used to teach students how to approach art and design computationally. With shape, grammars we find computational thinking at the center of creative activities.

Urgency and Adaptation of New Literations in Primary School Education in the Digital Era

Teachers have been aware of the urgency of literacy; however, some teachers are still neglected. The main purpose of this paper is to discuss new literacy in the digital era, which includes primary school education. Our primary education is an important actor in preparing Indonesian future generations. The research method used was a literature review to view the diversity of culture and awareness among Indonesian. Data had been collected throughout history recorded in digital, books, and many others. Data were analyzed using comparing the diverse history related to primary education. By comparing data, we make a framework that is used to organize future primary education. The results show that the digital era and literacy are becoming integrated to improve learning and teaching quality. Both teachers and students should be aware a digital literacy should improve the quality of our education. The study's implications will be used to assess how effective literacy education has improved educational quality.

“I can read, I just can't see”: a disability rights-based perspective on reading by listening

PurposeThe aim of the paper is to create a greater understanding of how people who are blind or vision impaired describe their use of audio-based reading technologies, with a particular focus on how they reason about whether the use of these technologies can be understood in terms of reading.Design/methodology/approachThe study is part of the emerging research area Critical Studies of Reading and draws theoretical inspiration from Document Theory, New Literacy Studies and Critical Disability Studies. The article presents a discourse analysis of how 16 university students in Australia who are blind or vision impaired and use audio-based reading technologies describe this use in semi-structured interviews.FindingsThe participants relate to a division between ‘real' reading and reading by listening, where the latter is constructed as an exception and is connected to the subject position of being blind or vision impaired. However, resistance is also noticeable, where reading by listening is constructed as something that is normal, and as a right.Originality/valueThe article is a theoretical and empirical contribution to the ongoing discussion on the use of audio-based reading technologies. It presents perspectives from the users of these technologies and argues why a specific understanding of this use is important.

Digital citizenship trend in educational sphere: A systematic review

<span>The surge of information in the digital age has impacted social problems. Accordingly, digital citizenship had been discussed mostly within topics related to digital security, IT education. A systematic review is needed to provide an overview for educators and policymakers in Indonesia to address ethical and technical issues to improve the online environment safely. However, there are limited studies that systematically review the existing literature on implementing digital citizenship in Indonesia. The present study was guided by PRISMA review protocol using three databases, i.e., Scopus, Google Scholars, and ProQuest, concerned with digital citizenship, digital competence, digital literacy, and information and communications technology (ICT) skills. There were 205 articles screened; this study obtained 20 articles that fit the predetermined inclusion criteria. This study used content analysis to encode, organize categories, and develop the themes. Based on the thematic analysis, this study has three main themes namely digital readiness, digital citizenship competencies, and educational policies. This review contributes to the existing literature by providing direction to future study and embedded digital citizenship competencies in the educational setting as a catalyst for a new literacy.</span>

O papel da memória discursiva em manchetes que desmentem notícias sobre Covid-19

A pandemia de Covid-19 trouxe-nos um contexto de exceção. Restrições impostas à sociedade foram aplicadas por governos de diferentes partes do mundo, gerando dificuldades, por exemplo, de escolha entre ter privacidade de dados ou saúde prometida por vigilância biométrica (HARARI, 2020). Como “resposta” à disseminação de fake news – não só sobre a doença, mas também sobre outros temas – as agências de fact-checking (PANGRAZIO, 2018; SPINELLI, SANTOS, 2018) surgem com o objetivo de verificá-las, classificando-as em “verdadeiras” ou “falsas”, segundo gradação. Quando publicam a checagem realizada, as agências utilizam manchetes que desmentem as notícias. Entre os padrões linguísticos observados, a negação é bastante frequente nas manchetes verificadas em mídias sociais. Por ser um índice de implícito, está presente no enunciado para produzir sentido: a memória discursiva é, pois, um modo de compreender o estatuto dos implícitos (ACHARD, 1999; PÊCHEUX, 1999). Logo, partimos da hipótese de que a prática de estruturar a negação, nas manchetes analisadas, pode fazer emergir questões interlocutivas via evocação de certa memória discursiva. Com base em pressupostos teórico-metodológicos dos estudos de letramentos (New Literacy Studies) e da Análise do discurso francesa, este trabalho objetivou analisar o papel da memória discursiva em 68 manchetes, publicadas em março de 2020 por duas agências (“Chequeado” e “Agência Lupa), as quais desmentem notícias sobre Covid-19 em mídias sociais. Os resultados obtidos permitiram identificar três estruturas de negação frequentes nas manchetes e parecem confirmar a hipótese de partida, contribuindo com os estudos de letramentos, quanto à formação do leitor em tempos de pandemia.

Competências em práticas letradas de estudantes de Ensino Médio no contexto da desordem informacional

Este artigo objetiva discutir competências de alunos de Ensino Médio em práticas sociais de leitura e escrita mediadas por mídias digitais, no contexto da desordem informacional e no tocante à identificação de informação falsa. O estudo ancora-se nos pressupostos dos Novos Estudos de Letramentos (New Literacy Studies), especificamente no que se refere à formação do leitor, a partir dos quais se descrevem e discutem orientações da Base Nacional Comum Curricular (BNCC). O conjunto do material é formado por 105 produções textuais coletadas em uma escola pública de São José do Rio Preto, interior de São Paulo, no primeiro semestre de 2019. Embora tanto a coleta do material quanto a BNCC sejam anteriores à pandemia da covid-19, faz-se pertinente problematizar também essa crise sanitária, a qual potencializou um contexto de “infodemia” e evidenciou desigualdades no acesso à educação. A análise dos dados demonstra que os estudantes de Ensino Médio são competentes em reconhecer informação falsa com base em critérios relacionados ao uso de norma culta. No entanto, parecem desconhecer questões não relacionadas diretamente a aspectos linguísticos e ignorar o atravessamento de vozes e crenças particulares no processo da desordem informacional. O trabalho aponta para o confronto entre as expectativas e orientações da BNCC e os letramentos que precisam ser discutidos e trabalhados pela instituição escolar, pensando, principalmente (mas não apenas) numa vida pós-pandemia.

Attentional Literacy as a New Literacy: Helping Students Deal with Digital Disarray

When students learn online, they do so within a wider context of digital disarray, marked by distraction, disorder and disconnection, which research shows to be far from conducive to effective learning. Specific educational issues include a lack of focus, linked to information overload in an environment characterized by misinformation and disinformation, as well as a lack of connection to the self and others. Arguing that today’s growing focus on digital literacies in education already serves as a partial response to digital disarray, this evidence-based position paper proposes the concept of attentional literacy as a macroliteracy which interweaves elements of now established literacies with the emerging educational discourse of mindfulness. Through attentional literacy, students may gain awareness of how to focus their attention intentionally on the self, the relationship with others, and the informational environment, resulting in a more considered approach to learning coupled with an appreciation of multiple shifting perspectives. Armed with this developing skillset, students stand to benefit more fully from digital educational experiences. Considerations for continuing research in this area include the need to adopt a critical stance on mindfulness, and the need to operationalize attentional literacy for the classroom.

Enhancing Indonesian Vocational High School Graduate’s Competence in The World of Work After Covid-19 Pandemic Through Innovative Learning Models

This research explores innovative learning models to ensure that Indonesian vocational high school graduates still have an excellent competency after being hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. This research adopted the qualitative method by conducting content analysis. Based on the analysis, this study has discovered three innovative learning methods, namely [1] research-based learning; to enhance data literacy, [2] interactive multimedia-based learning; for increasing technological literacy, and [3] project-based learning; conducted to empower human literacy. The students’ capabilities to compete in the corporate world are better if they apply these three learning models. It would also reduce the risk of unemployment due to technological disruption during the pandemic and the increased population by acquiring these literacy skills. It is hoped that vocational high school graduates will be hired fast and able to take part in the corporate world and have the three new literacy skills as the principal capital in taking part in the corporate world. Keywords: Competence of vocational high school graduates; Covid-19 pandemic; Innovative learning models