Abstracts - Claudia Ferradas MA

"Developing Critical Technological Literacy"                                                                                                  16.30. - Saturday, 5^th September 2009.

In the XXIst century, what it means to be literate is becoming increasingly complex and elusive, as multimedia and digital technologies are redefining literacy. The ‘new literacies' not only need to include the capacity to ‘read' and ‘write' the new technologies but also to understand what is involved in the operation, reception and production of their texts and the links that make hypertextual navigation possible.
This presentation explores questions concerning the role of language educators in the development of critical technological literacy. Apart from ethical questions such as plagiarism, flaming and blurring the limits between the private and the public, the new technologies raise issues of ideological manipulation which are often veiled behind the lure of innovation.  How can we make sure we encourage our students to consider both contents and media critically as they learn the language of the web and make use of digital technology?