UOW Luminaries: Unlocking the power of digital literacy to empower children

Digital literacy for children is complex; even for our youngest children. The ability to use a range of digital technologies, to critically engage with those technologies, and the texts they offer is important. But so too is developing children’s capacities to react and respond to the digital culture within which they operate.

Consider the scenarios;

• While playing an online game, a child is invited to network with an unfamiliar person.
• While researching for a school project, a child comes across inaccurate information.
• A photo is shared via social media; the child has not consented for it to be shared and becomes annoyed when they see it.

Drawing from interdisciplinary perspectives the panel will consider the scenarios as they work to embrace the fluidity of the digital age as children use technology in ways that are developmentally and contextually appropriate, literacy rich, and safe.

When: Thursday, 7 September, 4-5 pm AEST
Where: Online via Zoom – Zoom link to join the webinar will be emailed after registration

Panellists:

• Professor Lisa Kervin is Professor of Education in the Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of Wollongong (UOW), where she is also Director of Early Start Research.
• Associate Professor Jessica Mantei is Deputy Head of School and Associate Professor in Language and Literacy in the School of Education at UOW
• Dr Dylan Cliff PhD is an Associate Professor at UOW with expertise in children’s movement behaviours, including physical activity, sedentary behaviour, electronic media use and sleep.
• Associate Professor Cathrine Neilsen-Hewett
• Dr Rebecca Ng

Luminaries brings together leading UOW researchers, industry experts and thought leaders for a one-hour conversation every fortnight.

Join us online for this interdisciplinary series and discover how research and collaboration is tackling global social, environmental and economic challenges. The webinar series is free and open to the public.