Net generation and digital literacy: a short bibliographical review and some remarks

Abstract

A far reaching discussion on the net generation and the need to update teaching methods has been ongoing for a while. A large number of papers on this topic have been published. The most relevant reviews point out that by and large the use of social networks by the net generation does not mean that young people has natural digital skills/competencies they apply in the learning activities.
The present brief review discusses the relevant literature considering the various definitions of “digital literacies”. In particular an JISC study “Thriving in the 21st century. Learning Literacies for the Digital Age” (LLiDA Project) is cited, because of its approach to a very detailed definition of learning literacies.
Moreover, in spite of them making use of the most recently available sources like Wikipedia recent papers have shown that the search and reading approach of the net generation – lacks selection criteria and quality evaluation skills.
In the conclusions the Author raises questions on the best e-learning methods to teach digital literacies, in a context where the change is fast, and the traditional LMS approach may be a waste of time and money - and, very difficult to put in practice in a time of retrenchment for Italian Universities.