Summary and response about journal “Digital Literacy of Language Learners in Two Context”

Summary about journal “Digital Literacy of Language Learners in Two Context”

This journal talk about digital literacy that use in English learning. This journal examine the concept of digital literacy and presents a digital literacy questionnaire containing questions related to the use of digital technologies and the level of digital literacy skills.This journal provide 2 studies that used the digital literacy questionaire. The participant are 100 English for academic purposes (EAP) students at a university in Australia and 70 English as a foreign language (EFL) students at a university in Japan. The author also examine factors affecting their use of digital technologies for learning English.

Before we know what the result of the studies, the authors explain definition and element of digital literacy. Digital literacy is the ability to use digital technologies at an adequate level for creation, communication, collaboration, and information each and evaluation in a digital society. The elements of digital literacy are information search and evaluation, creation, communication, collaboration and online safety.

After we know about definition and elements of digital literacy, then we go on the two studies. The studies consist of five section, Section I – background; Section II – self-ratings of computing and digital skills; Section III – questions related to the use of digital technologies; Section IV – digital literacy test; and Section V – factors affecting the use of digital technologies for language learning and personal views of the use of digital devices.

The first study from English for academic purposes (EAP) students at a university in Australia. The number of participant are 100 people consist of 61 male and 39 female; mean age 28, ranging from 18 to 48 years old. The first section, The digital literacy questionnaire (an English version) was administered to the participants during their class time in each program. Data were anonymous and analysed on the basis of the participants’ responses to the questionnaire. The result of the first study are:

Ø Most of participant find out new digital technologies from their friend.

Ø They generally think that they had a good ability to use digital technologies.

Ø They did not seem to have any problem in using the computer for learning purposes and using mobile apps on digital devices.

Ø The most common factors affecting their use of digital technologies for language learning include the lack of facilities, lack of knowledge of students, lack of budget and lack of training.

Ø They feel comfortable using digital devices and agree with the importance of the improvement of their digital fluency, the use of digital tools and resources for the enhancement of their learning

The second study from English as a foreign language (EFL) students at a university in Japan. The number of  participant are 70 people that consist of 61 male and 7 female; mean age 20,ranging from 18 to 32 years old. The first section, The digital literacy questionnaire (an English version and a translated Japanese version) was administered to the participants during their class time. Their responses to the anonymous questionnaire were analysed for the study. The result of the second study are:

Ø Most of participant find out new digital technologies from website.

Ø They generally think that they had an acceptable level of computing skills.

Ø Most of participant can use the digital technologies

Ø Their perceived digital literacy skills were tended to be rated at an acceptable level or lower, the participants’ mean score of the general digital literacy test was high

Ø The most common factors affecting their use of digital technologies for language learning include the lack of knowledge of students, lack of supporting resources lack of time and lack of skills of students

Ø They feel comfortable using digital devices and think that it is important for them to improve their digital fluency and they think that their learning can be enhanced by using digital tools and resources.

So, from two studies above, indicate that all participants were aware of digital technologies and were interested in using them.

Response of The Journal

This era is a digital era. Most of people especially Indonesian can operate or use digital technologies. So that in education we can use digital literacy. Digital literacy is very useful for us especially for EFL. Depend on Craig and Patten (2007) said that digital resources have been shown to support learners in developing verbal interaction skills, increasing their vocabulary, and improving their reading comprehension. Furthermore, access to the Internet and social media develops students’ intercultural skills and promotes global awareness. On the other hand Jeong-Bae Son, Ph.D said in his journal that digital tool for learning surely good for learning, but research and practice should be done to improve our understanding of theoretical, pedagogical and technical aspects of the use of the tools in various contexts.

Reference

Craig, D. V., & Patten, K. B. (2007). E-literacy and literacy iPods, popular culture and language learning. International Journal of the Book

Jeong-Bae Son. (2011). Online Tools for Language Teaching. The Electronic Journal for English as a Second Language.