Hartley - The Uses of Digital Literacy
Hartley, J. (2017). The Uses of Digital Literacy. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-4128-1429-4
This book presents a re-evaluation of humanities research concerning the impact of digital media on a consumer-led society. The author emphasises the need for an open, investigative, and critical approach to understanding this context, along with the opportunity to engage with creative enterprise and culture. The book advocates for recognising the potential of digital literacy as every user becomes a publisher in the current online landscape. While some professionals and institutions dismiss online social networks and participatory media, the author argues that we should not underestimate digital literacy. The book explores digital media's commercial and cultural dynamics in various domains, including creative industries, digital storytelling, YouTube, journalism, and mediated fashion. The author emphasises the evolution of media, which has enabled global-scale mass entertainment, journalism, and knowledge dissemination, highlighting how mass participation in the growth of knowledge through digital media can lead to significant developments in various fields. The book encourages education and research to catch up with entertainment and suggests learning from popular culture to adapt to the digital age effectively.
John Hartley “The Uses of Digital Literacy”