2nd Edition

Understanding Digital Literacies A Practical Introduction

    320 Pages 28 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    320 Pages 28 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    Understanding Digital Literacies Second Edition provides an accessible and timely introduction to new media literacies. This book equips students with the theoretical and analytical tools with which to explore the linguistic dimensions and social impact of a range of digital literacy practices. Each chapter in the volume covers a different topic, presenting an overview of the major concepts, issues, problems, and debates surrounding it, while also encouraging students to reflect on and critically evaluate their own language and communication practices.

    Features of the second edition include:

    • expanded coverage of a diverse range of digital media practices that now includes Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Tinder, and WhatsApp;

    • two entirely new chapters on mobility and materiality, and surveillance and privacy;

    • updated activities in each chapter which engage students in reflecting on and analysing their own media use;

    • e-resources featuring a glossary of key terms and supplementary material for each chapter, including additional activities and links to useful websites, articles, and videos.

    This book is an essential textbook for undergraduate and postgraduate students studying courses in new media and digital literacies.

    List of illustrations

    Acknowledgements

    Preface to 2nd EditionChapter 1 Mediated Me

    Part I Digital Tools

    Chapter 2 Information Everywhere

    Chapter 3 Reading and Writing in Digital Contexts

    Chapter 4 Multimodality

    Chapter 5 Online Language and Social Interaction

    Chapter 6 Mobility and materiality

    Chapter 7 Critical Digital Literacies

    Part II Digital Practices

    Chapter 8 Online Cultures and Intercultural Communication

    Chapter 9 Games, Learning and Literacy

    Chapter 10 Social (and ‘Anti-Social’) Media

    Chapter 11 Collaboration and Peer Production

    Chapter 12 Surveillance and privacy

    Afterword

    References

    Index

    Biography

    Rodney H. Jones is Professor of Sociolinguistics and Head of the Department of English Language and Applied Linguistics at the University of Reading, UK.

    Christoph A. Hafner is Associate Professor in the Department of English, City University of Hong Kong.

    "Not only the best overview of the area; Understanding Digital Literacies, Second Edition is also a virtual handbook on how do good and not harm in the digital age."

    James Paul Gee, Arizona State University, USA

    "Thoroughly updated with newly written chapters, this new edition weaves together important and up-to-date materials highlighting the dynamism of texts and practices in mobile and social media that did not even exist when the first edition was published. A much-anticipated and timely second edition of a popular text!"

    Carmen Lee, Chinese University of Hong Kong

    "I know the first edition of this book inside out. This second edition brings digital literacies bang up to date, with new discussions on topics ranging from algorithms, chatbots and fake news, to mobility, surveillance and Zoom. A comprehensive and critical guide that is both authoritative and entertaining, combining innovative theory with engaging activities and illuminating case studies."

    Caroline Tagg, The Open University, UK