A9.3: Branching Literacy

 Before beginning this project, I did not know what branching literacy was or what it referred too.  I found information at: The European Journal and Digital Literacy .  I found out that branching literacy is a type of digital literacy.  Branching literacy involves understanding complex topics involved in technology.  It also involves using a digital device.  Branching literacy is used when you surf the internet and check databases.  It is the ability to navigate the system without getting lost in hyperspace.  This literacy emerged as technology has improved and is becoming more important as the days go by.  To be an efficient user of this skill you must be able to mentally model the space in your head.  You need to be able to use concept maps and other forms of representation to convey the idea of the world-wide web.

     I never realized that I possess this skill but I think that I do.  I also think that it has developed with the advances of technology.  My greatest skill that is involved in branching literacy  is being able to mentally model, how I have gotten to the place that I am on the web once I am there.  I am also able to operate a digital device by looking at it and choosing options that I notice through either words or images.  I can understand that a person needs certain skills to be able to use this literacy properly.  I hope to improve upon these skills and become a more efficient navigator of the web and user of digital devices. 

     I think that this skill is very important.  I think that today there is probably more of an emphasis on learning this skill than when I was in the secondary school system.  In order to be a successful student, researcher, and professional you must be able to navigate the world-wide web and know where you have gotten your information.  You also need to know how you find that information and where you went to find it.  You have to know how to use digital devices in today’s society, it is a requirement.  I think the use of computer systems is now emphasized in the educational system.  For example, when I first began grade school in 1989 there was one computer in each classroom and we rarely used them.  When I reached the fourth grade in 1993, our grade school put in a computer lab which contained 30 computers.  As a class we went down to that room two to three times a week and worked with educational games.  We also learned how to operate the machine.  Today my niece who is 3 years-old operates a computer with ease.  To play her Pooh game she goes to the computer and clicks on the Pooh icon and plays the game.  She is way more advanced than I was at that age.  My point is that in today’s society not only the schools stress branching literacy but a lot of parents stress it.  I think that this skill will continue to be very important as technology evolves.