Google Scholar Article Anaysis 1/26/10

The name of the Google Scholar article I used is Experiments In Digital Literacy. In the article, the author reviews what skills are needed in order to become digitally literate. He begins by telling us that "Having digital literacy requires more than just the ability to use software or to operate a digital device" (Alkali). The purpose he is trying to portray here is that while most people may think that they are digitally literate, they actually are far from the truth. Being digitally literate is more about being able to use all digital resources in a helpful and successful manner.

In the text, the author describes his five major digital skills which are each in themselves key to attaining digital literacy. They are photo-visual skills, reproduction skills, branching skills, information skills, and socio-emotional skills. Each of these skills are needed to become digitally literate. Photo-visual skill is the ability to read and comprehend directions off of a digital monitor. It is important for understanding how to properly work all applications of digital media. Reproduction skill is being able to create new applications and items in digital media based on the preexisting models. This skill is very important for computer designers. Branching skill is the ability to comprehend and draw your own conclusions from hypertext in digital media. This skill helps to create a better understanding of the text at hand. Information skill is the users ability to tell weather the digital information is at all accurate and credible. Socio-emotional skill is the understanding and application of the "rules that prevail in cyberspace" (Alkali). All of these skills are described in Alkali's article, and they all are important skills people could use to learn.