First Step to Digital Literacy
- Denise Ziegler
- Mar 28, 2022
- 2 min read
As a trained sculptor I am working from time to time, lets say every forth year, with video art. I am working without a production team. That means the videos are mostly in all respects made by myself. Sporadic working with video is putting me in to a position of having to learn the developing technic over and over again. Changes from U-matic to SVHS to Betacam I could understand on a technical level to some extend. In the 1990, I was using video more often and I followed the development on a technical level. Productions were made in a low tech: raw edit was done in a artist run media association or film coop and then in a studio the master version was edited. Production costs for experimental video works included at least buying a camera, being member in a film coop or media association and renting a studio for the master edit.
In the digital area the use of video has become very easy, available to everyone and unexpensive. Computer and smart phone are enabling reasonably good quality works. At the same time, I lost the understanding of how the format works, the different technical details of compressing and rendering of data is beyond my understanding. I am still going on making video works, but I acknowledge, that the tools have moved further away from my comprehension of them. Often I am “swimming” in a sea of technical issues, hoping to get them right. I have to ask for help on every step of the editing process and I am aware of the fact, that I do not handle the technic very well. For example,I sent a finished video to the video art distribution center. The center wants to know what exact format my newest production is made in. I have to say: I am not sure. That does not mean I cannot use new technology!
The same experience I have in using digital media and online formats in teaching. Online teaching is not a tool of my choice but rather a situation we have to face. And slowly by slowly we find out how to use online teaching in a more experimental way. We for example try to find alternatives to steering at small frontal images of people in zoom or teams classes. For example, in hybrid teaching we have additional computers locked into the platform showing the classroom from different perspectives. In that way we try to add to the digital literacy by expanding the possibilities of the tools provided. Making the digital tools your own does not necessarily mean to understand how they technically function but rather to be aware of the impact they have on us. Experimenting is the first step to digital literacy. By experimenting with digital platforms communicative possibilities, we are able to find our own approach to digital literacy. (28.3.2022)
It is very important to have the right attitude towards new digital tools.
Being able to learn new digital tools while using them (as a new situation one has to face) is more important than
understanding how they technically function. The tools will be updated all the time. It is this ability to adapt yourself to new tools that will allow you to continue learning and using new digital tools. Well done Denise!
It is very interesting to get another aspect of digital literacy. I would say that I grew up with "newer" technology and therefore I could easily adapt to new technology and tools. I also grew up in a family where almost everyone is interested in technology. I would usually recommend digital media for teaching or to do anything. I do not like to read books or articles in paper format; I would rather read them on the computer. I think it is all about the knowledge we have about the technology and how we use it. Technology have been something I use in the majority of my live and therefore I can “only” see positive things with it.
It is so true what you say about not knowing something tech related but that does not mean that you are not well versed on it. There are many misconceptions around this.
And sometimes the swimming in tech issues is what brings many to a better understanding of them, and brings out the nature of 'investigation' in someone.
I like the comparison of creating a video to dealing with digital media in general. I think, all of us feel the digital overload at times, especially since the pandemic.
I like your angle and relaxed self confident attitude towards the digital overstimulation many of us are facing. Finding your own way and peace with technology by experimenting with it sounds like a good advice to pass on, thank you!
Cheers Anja