Prior to this assignment I don’t really have any knowledge of what branching literacy is. Unlike the other literacy’s we have learned about and researched, I thought this one was the one with the least amount of available information. However, through some searching I found, according to an article in the European Journal of Open, Distance and E-learning, branching literacy the ability to avoid getting lost in hyperspace, despite the intricate navigation paths. They also refer to this type of literacy by “hypermedia literacy skills.” According to the EURODL branching literate people have good multidimensional spatial orientation, good metaphoric thinking, the ability to create concept maps and other abstract structures, and the ability to overcome disorientation in hypermedia places.
Like all of the other literacy’s, I agree that there are certain skills a person must possess to be branching literate. I feel like I have learned more about this type of literacy and these skills through this class and conducting research for my MRP. Finding articles is fairly easy, however once you have found those articles getting back to them is sometimes difficult. I had to know what database I used, what keywords/phrase I used in order to find that exact article. Working at the library, people have trouble with this type of task often. I also find myself wandering in cyberspace sometimes when I don’t mean to. Luckily for me, I know how to find my way back to what I was originally looking for. I can see if someone was not very branching literate how it would be easy to get lost with the technology.
Similar to the other literacy’s, I feel that branching literacy has and will continue to change schooling/education. When using any form of technology branching literacy skills are vital to effectively using the devices. As we have and will continue to become a more technological world, children will have to learn the skills to use and not “get lost” in cyberspace. I am not aware if there are currently any specific classes in early education for this type of literacy, but as college students we attended a session at the library that showed us where to locate certain articles, books, etc. and helped us learn how to navigate around cyberspace; we were also told how to get out of things when we “got lost.” When I was in elementary school I remember going to the computer lab, and our teachers would tell us how to use the programs. I would assume they do the same thing now, possibly with the Internet. Technology has changed the way we do a lot of things, and branching literacy is a very necessary skill for students, professionals, and people in general to possess.
