A1 Journal article (refereed)
Student Teachers' Perceptions of the Connection between Literacy, Equality and Digitalization (2022)

Maunula, M., & Lähdesmäki, S. (2022). Student Teachers' Perceptions of the Connection between Literacy, Equality and Digitalization. International Journal on Social and Education Sciences, 4(3), 323-337. https://doi.org/10.46328/ijonses.392

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Maunula, Minna; Lähdesmäki, Sirkku

Journal or series: International Journal on Social and Education Sciences

eISSN: 2688-7061

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 26/08/2022

Volume: 4

Issue number: 3

Pages range: 323-337

Publisher: ISTES Organization

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46328/ijonses.392

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/82971

Abstract

Digitalization has many implications for the development of equality in societies and is also reflected in education. In a digitalized world, literacy is an essential skill for both individual and societal development. This study explores Finnish student teachers' perceptions of the connection between literacy, equality, and digitalization. The research material consists of professional opinion pieces written by student teachers (N=37). The qualitative study examined student teachers' perceptions of literacy, equality, and digitalization. Student teachers' perceptions concerned pupils' polarizing backgrounds for learning, literacy instruction and the challenge of differentiating classes, deterioration of literacy and other learning, and positive aspects of literacy learning. The results show that student teachers recognize the connection between literacy and digitalization and their broad impact on societal development and equity. As future teachers, they perceived the impact of the development of inequalities on everyday school life and on opportunities to learn key skills as a challenge. The results show that the polarizing starting points for pupils is a worrying trend and challenges the future teacher in a digitalizing world. The results of the study underline that teacher training and teachers are important societal actors and reformers.

Keywords: literacy; digitalisation; equality (fundamental rights); practical training as a teacher

Free keywords: literacy; digitalization; equality; student teachers; teacher training

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2022

JUFO rating: 1