Web Literacy

Web Literacy - "The ability to read, write, and participate on the Web"

Chris Lawrence (Heick, 2017)

Why Do We Need Web Literacy?

Before the internet was available in classrooms, the only form of research was done in the library using the Dewey Decimal System. The only form of collaboration was person to person either in the classroom or through a very long process of having to set up meeting times outside of school hours. An authentic audience for written work? There was no audience except for the teacher, peers and maybe parents. Things were simpler, if not a little disconnected.

Today's classrooms have changed. In the 21st century classroom students can go on field trips without leaving the building, they can connect with others in real time across the world, and any sort of information is available at their fingertips. The skills needed for these 21st century learners, problem solving, communication, creativity and collaboration can be heavily tied together in a neat little package using the World Wide Web.

As Chris Lawrence, the VP of Learning at Mozilla (as cited in Heick, 2017) puts it, web literacy is "another educational learning block" (par. 2). A web literate student can distinguish between reliable research and that which is made up. They can collaborate online, getting a new look at other cultures and, therefore, becoming more internationally minded. The student can utilize a myriad of tools to create like they never have before. A web literate student can engage online in a safe, open-minded, literate way that will prepare them for their future.

How Can We Teach Web Literacy?

The team over at Mozilla (n.d.) divide web literacy into three main categories: participate, write and read. Those categories are then broken down into smaller categories which help lead a student to becoming a web literate citizen. Mozilla's (n.d.) website provides lesson plans for each category of web literacy and is an invaluable resource.