Focus on Policy: Considering Literacy and Policy in the Context of Digital Environments

This article (1) argues that literacy is being redefined as a result of the use of digital media, and (2) provides suggestions for policy makers, budget decision-makers, teachers, researchers, and interested others about literacy and language arts standards, assessment, and teaching related to “new literacies,” including: (a) Maximize the possibilities of collaborative and social networking technologies; (b) Make more funding available to document effective practices related to technology teaching and learning in language arts, and to support preservice and inservice education about digital literacies and teaching in collaborative digital media; (c) Provide additional and ongoing funds to support the supply and maintenance of existing computers and peripherals; (d) Make provisions for continued and enhanced emphasis on the “21st Century” skills; (e) Include in “Standards” documents the expectation that teachers and students know how digital texts can support comprehension; (f)Â Develop assessments of new literacies that work within assessments of writing and reading; (g) Teach digital literacy practices in synergy with traditional literacy practices; (h) Focus more, quickly, on discovering the literacy practices engendered by mobile technologies; (i) Teach about privacy issues related to communication and social networking in digital environments; (j) Ensure students’ digital media practices are not simply co-opted into classroom requirements.