Study of Digital Media Literacy of the 5th and 6th Grade Primary Students in Beijing

An Article Review

Based on the article that I have read, as far as information and communication technology
is concerned (ICT), digital media and digital technologies have changed the way we live as they
spread fast over the world. The Internet and computers have become the major tools for learning,
and new media have revolutionized the way knowledge is produced and shared. According to the
China Internet Network Information Center the bulk of Internet users are from the younger
generation, aged 10 to 39 years old (78.1%), with the age range 10–19 which leads to 22.8
percent in particular. Chinese researchers and policymakers have recognized the necessity of
becoming digital media literate in the context of information. Educational institutions looked into
ways to include digital media literacy into primary school curriculum. When it comes to boosting
digital media literacy education, nevertheless, assessing students' prior knowledge of and
awareness of the levels of using digital technology remains a major difficulty for teachers.
However, I agree that digital technology affects and influenced the way we live in. The learners
in the digital environment is extremely different. They have diverse ways of thinking and acting.
The new generation of students is more connected and well-informed. As a result of the good
impact of digital media, it is simple to collaborate with geographically dispersed teams on
project assignments utilizing social media. Students can create Facebook groups, or simply
utilize Twitter hashtags to discuss information and exchange input on the task. Although this can
also be accomplished through other communication channels such as email, social media allows
for a more intriguing conversational type of interaction. With the use of digital media,
knowledge is spreading at a much more rate. While the factors that influence the students’ digital
media literacy includes gender, age, experience, parental mediation, and parental educational
background. Since there is a gender inequality, people probably think that ICT related activities
are for men only, but in school, it is taught in both genders, especially in robotics. For the age,
even the primary students can already acquire some knowledge with those in secondary. As
technology advances, the capacity to learn at a young age also advances.
Based on the study, they discovered that the fifth and sixth grades primary students indicated
having a high level of critical thinking and technical skills. There were no significant gender
disparities in terms of digital media literacy, according to the findings. This finding contradicts
earlier research. Female students in Taiwanese elementary schools were found to be more
competent than male pupils, according to Chang and Liu (2011). In terms of digital media
literacy, male students are undervalued. More female students, in particular, indicated higher
levels of media application abilities, media attitude, and media learning. As a result, future
research should consider the gender issue. In terms of technical skills and critical
comprehension, 6th grade students reported greater than 5th grade students in terms of digital
media literacy connected with various ages and grades. This finding backs up prior research that
students in higher grades had superior computer skills than students in lower grades.
Reference:
https://www.academia.edu/25783412/
A_Study_of_Digital_Media_Literacy_of_the_5th_and_6th_Grade_Primary_Students_in_Beijing