Abstract
Attempts to integrate the twain (i.e., social justice [SJ] and civic engagement [CE]) are slowly emerging. This chapter critically explores the tools for inclusivity and engagement -- to facilitate developing digital literacies for an integrated program. Among the roles of LAM, such as, literacy, collaboration, outreach, advocacy, etc. this chapter deals with digital literacies -- the aim is to reduce the digital divide between haves and have-nots. The digital divide became most obvious during COVID-19, and therefore this dimension is the focus. The method adopted is a semi-automated strategy to support a rationale for analysis and validation of its findings. Strongly recommends the need to conduct COVID-19's impacted digital exclusion areas -- with due consideration for the work done at New Literacies Research Lab at the University of Connecticut. A combined quantitative and qualitative assessment will be required to remove the digital inequalities.. An innovative approach for data visualization is provided. It is a faceted technique developed by Dr. S R Ranganathan (viz., PMEST – personality, matter, energy, space, and time).
TopIntroduction
This chapter has two aims, first to find significant reference tools (henceforth tools). And, second tto critically evaluate discovery/dissemination aids. In particular, four challenges about functionality and usability of the tools will look for suitable responses, viz.,
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Is there a reduction in bias and discrimination, impact or explicit?
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In understanding the other as human, promote compassion, tolerance, and intercultural/interfaith harmony?
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Does metadata enable engagement?
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How responsive, equitable and inclusive in structure and design is the Webflow (ie., full compliance with Accessibility standards, and conform to Level AA standards as per WCAG 2.0?
"There can be no true democracy without reference service." (Ranganathan, 1961, p. 73; Gopinath, 1992, p. 53; Courtney, M. (2016, p. 21). Accordingly, democratic and engaging service begins with inclusive and accessible reference work and reference tools. This chapter critically explores the tools for inclusivity and engagement. (Finley, 2011; Remtulla, 2008; Delgado-Algarra & Cuenca-López, 2020).
Resources for Developing Literacies for Teaching Social Justice through Civic Engagement
To think of literacy that is integrated, one needs to first look internally and get started. (Larson, Baydoun, & Pickens, n.d.; Soto, 2018; Martin 2019).
Examples that are illustrated, in this chapter include Race, Racism, Anti-Racism Literacy (Table 10), Peace Literacy (Table 11), Tolerance Literacy (Table 12), Peace Literacy: Hands-on activity with a focus (Table 13), Critical Peace Literacy Session as a Life Skill (template for a lesson plan or workshop) (Table 14), Verifying Fake News (Table 16), A quiz about food -- Religious/cultural accommodation at the workplace: (Table 15). A few templates in the chapter are provided, such as:
Background And Method
“… There has been less conceptual development exploring the relationship between social justice and civic engagement. Indeed, as a term, civic engagement lacks a singular universal definition.” (Richards-Schuster et al., 2019. P. 29). Nevertheless, weaving together SJ & CE, and offering an integrated academic program is common in many higher educational institutions (Calderón & Pollack, 2015). For example, Social Justice and Civic Engagement, at Lebanon Valley, Pennsylvania; Wilfrid Laurier University, Ontario; Eugene Lang College, New York; Dominican University, Illinois, University of Victoria, British Columbia; etc. The relevant resources identified in Tables 4, 8, 18, and 19 are the best starting point for an exploration of the emerging integrated paths (see Closson, & Mullins Nelson, 2009; see also. May & Leighton, 2013).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Accessibility: In general, it is about approachability. In particular in the context of the web developments (World Wide Web Consortium), it relates to the standards for making it inclusive, equitable for all; thereby removing the barriers, and ABIDE being exclusive to the haves.
Pathfinders: To facilitate access via a suitable resource discovery tool. It is about a tool that has organized knowledge and capability to disseminate and engage. It prepares the user to avoid being lost in a maze.
Inclusive: A barrier free access, or a process or strategy that reduces exclusion in digital or physical world: “We are continuing to add more resources ... needing support are included as well, should you be so moved.” Social Justice Resources: becketathenaeum.org. “Authentically bringing traditionally excluded individuals and/or groups into processes, activities, and decision/policy making in a way that shares power” ( Jeffries, 2018 ).
Evaluation of Web-Based Digital Contents: Visualizing, assessing by a set criterion and documenting the strength or weakness.
Injustice: Inequality, or discrimination; “The American Alliance of Museums completed a national report in 2017 … a complete lack of diversity as being a top issue within the museum sector” ( Jeffries, 2018 ).
Discoverability: Facilitating online search for semantic content. Can be a synonym of findability and searchability. “‘Discoverability’ is the quality of being readily found by information seekers actively engaged in the search process” ( Bui, 2012 ).
Digital Literacy (i.e., Digitized World): Supplements and complements information literacy.
Engaged Communities: Engaged to understand ‘the other’ in the community, as well as in the workplace; or participate equitably in civic, cultural, and social development. “Dissemination activities can play an important role in encouraging users’ active participation, while the absence of dissemination activities can further increase participation inequality” ( Yuan, & Recker, 2014 ).
Information Literacy: Empowering a netizen to become aware of when, why, and how to find the right information that is Information literacy for everyday needs looks for survival information. It is not the same as academic needs or workplace literacy. As against information literacy in the workplace.