Integrating digital literacy into South African academic literacy: An autoethnographic exploration of evolving interventions

Mariska Nel

doi:10.56285/jltVol59iss1a6330

Mariska Nel North-West University, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7130-5803

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56285/jltVol59iss1a6330

Keywords: Academic Literacy; Digital Literacy; Student Success; Academic Acculturation; Massification; Technological driven teaching and learning

Abstract

The rapid advancement of technology has transformed the educational landscape, prompting institutions worldwide to integrate technology into their curricula to enhance personalized learning and student engagement. However, this advancement has also exacerbated existing educational inequities, particularly in developing countries like South Africa. Academic literacy is an established intervention aimed to support first-time entering students in higher education with their academic acculturation (Alexander et al., 2005; Council on Higher Education, 2017; Nel & Janse van Rensburg, 2022). However, while current academic literacy interventions provide crucial support, these interventions lack the necessary components to fully equip students for success in this technologically driven era. Using an explorative auto-ethnographic research design the inter-section of technological advancements and the pressing need for improved academic literacy interventions is investigated. Finally, the argument is made that the increasing digital divide necessitates a modernized approach to the development of literacy skills – one that seamlessly inte-grates digital literacy into existing academic literacy frameworks – to enhance student success and empower them to thrive in the digital age.

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Author Biography

Mariska Nel, North-West University, South Africa

Mariska is an associate professor in Academic Literacy at the North-West University. Her research focus can be summarised as integrating technological advances into higher educational teaching and learning –with a specific focus on academic literacy. This includes a blended (multimodal) approach to teaching and learning, online content development, providing effective electronic feedback, as well as writing for academic purposes, and student success (acculturation).

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