A10.1: Reproduction Literacy

Deidra Darst

10/27/07

What [do you know/can you find out] about reproduction literacy skills?

Alkali and Hamburger define reproduction literacy as ”the ability to create new meanings or new interpreations by combing preexisting, independent shreads of information in any form of media” (Alkali and Hamburger, 2004).   Pre-existing creations are manipulated, creating new products.  “The art of creative reduplication” was coined in the article writtten by Eviram and Eshet-Alkali.  The Internet provides access to vast amounts of information, and those who possess reproduction literacy can manipulate that information as they see fit.

What are your reactions to the idea that there are such skills?

As with digital literacy as a whole, I never thought about the existence of reproduction skills as a component of literacy.  When I hear the term “reproduction literacy,” the first thing that comes to mind is plagiarism.  It seems to me that taking others’ creations, reoganizing them or combining them with other pre-existing materials, is wrong.  How can you take something originally created by someone else and call it your own?  However, after reading several articles and visiting some suggested websites, I have a better understanding.  Reproduction literacy entails altering the pre-existing information enough that you are not using an exact copy of the original.  Essentially, you are taking someone else’s idea and using it as a starting point for your interpretation and alteration. 

How do you think this “new” literacy will change education/schooling?

The Kavalier and Flannigan article made an interesting point that I think correlates to the changes being made within the education system.  For those individuals who are not “IT-literate,” (Kavalier & Flannigan, 2007) learning to navigate and understand cyberspace is comparable to learning a new language.  The earlier in life that you are exposed to it, the easier it is to use and understand.  Digital literacy has become a part of everyday learning activities.  Opportunities to improve one’s reproductive literacy are more readily available as technology improves and expands.  Today’s students can practice these literacies skills and will ultimately become highly skilled in this particular area.  Educational curricula could possibly focus more on reorganizing and manipulating currently-existing works rather than focusing on stratch-created materials.  We will see numerous perspectives and forms of a particular idea, providing diverse and interesting interpretations from various individuals. 

Eshet-Alkali, Y., & Amichai-Hamburger, Y. (2004, August).  Experiments in digital literacy.  Cyberpsychology and Behavior, 7(4), 421-429.   

Jones-Kavalier, B.R., & Flannigan, S.L. (2007).  Connection the digital dots:  Literacy of the 21st century, Retrieved October 27, 2007, from http://connect.educause.edu/library/abstract/ConnectingtheDigital/39969 

Aphek, E. (2007). Digital, highly connected children: Implications for education. Retrieved October 27, 2007, from http://www.creativityatwork.com/articlesContent/aphek/digital-literacy.html

Aviram, A. & Eshet-Alkali, Y.  (2006).  Towards a theory of digital literacy: Three scenarios for the next steps.  Retrieved October 27, 2007, from http://www.eurodl.org/materials/contrib/2006/Aharon_Aviram.htm