New literacies as a social practice

 "The distinctive contribution of the approach to literacy as social practice lies in the ways in which it involves careful and sensitive attention to what people do with texts, how they make sense of them and use them to further their own purposes in their own learning lives" (Gillen & Barton, 2010, p. 9).

This quote makes me think of the different ways literacy is used. For example, blogs or websites can use their words to spread information or opinions to many people. Then, people are able to comment and share their own thoughts. When I think of literacy it makes me think of print media such as books, magazines, and the newspaper. But literacy is everywhere. Literacy is a part of our everyday lives in other ways: tv, video games, cereal boxes, going to the grocery store, and reading road signs while driving. I enjoy reading and it feels really good to be able to hold a book and flip through the pages. When it comes to college textbooks, I always select the print option. 

Literacy is beginning to be combined with technology. Instead of walking into a grocery store people can now order online. Instead of driving yourself you can now order an uber driver. Some newspaper and magazines are now only offered online. These new literacies are now becoming the new normal and are now more intertwined in our daily lives (Wilber, 2010). Technology is also becoming more common in schools and is being integrated into the curriculum. All over the world, education policies are making the move towards a technology filled curriculum and practices. Countries are putting more money towards technology and making sure that everyone has access to internet (Durrant & Green, 2000). 

Technology in the classroom allows for more collaboration and creativity among teachers and students. (Gillen & Barton, 2010). At the school I work at, we rely heavily on technology when collaborating and sharing information with other faculty members. For example, we use google to share documents, weekly announcements, faculty meeting agendas, and more. According to Durrant and Green (2000), as we move towards a technology-based curriculum, teachers should be taught how to use the diverse technologies as well as how to help students learn while using them. I agree with this because technology is constantly changing. If a teacher does not know how to use a software program or technology, how can they expect a student to know how to use it properly? Teacher preparation programs should add a course for future teachers to learn about the new media and how to incorporate literacy through the everchanging technology (Durrant & Green, 2000). I think this would have been helpful when starting student teaching and going into my first-year teaching. 

One thing that stuck out to me while reading these articles, was the Personal Inquiry Project. According to Gillen and Barton (2010), this project is designed for students aged 11-16 to research and investigate science topics using computers. This stuck out to me because I currently am teaching science for the first time. This software incorporates literacy, movement, and science- all of these combined help students make sense of the topic their learning and the texts they read (Gillen & Barton, 2010). I think this would be great to bring education from school into a student's home life (Wilber, 2010). New media allows students to experience literacy in different ways. At a school I student taught at, they have to complete games and activities on computers as a form of assessment. It used visuals, sound, and text just like the Personal Inquiry Project, and allowed teachers to see where students are struggling or thriving (Gillen & Barton, 2010). The teacher I work with told me that her sons' teacher has their students all type into a shared document to write about what they did over the weekend. I think this is a great way to use literacy and share with students in the class.

As much as I enjoy using print media, it is time to start learning how to use technology more in the classroom. So far this school year I have used technology by creating PowerPoints for students to learn about new topics as well as incorporate movement activities. My goal during this semester will be to try and find new ways to use technology in the classroom. 

Do you have any tips for adding new media into the classroom? How do you plan on using new media in your classroom?


References:

Durrant, C., & Green, B. (2000). Literacy and the new technologies in school education: Meeting the l(IT)eracy challenge? The Free Library. Retrieved January 20, 2023, from                                   https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Literacy+and+the+new+technologies+in+school+education%3a+meeting+the...-a063132991

Gillen, J., & Barton, D. (2010). Digital Literacies: A research briefing by the technology enhanced learning phase of the teaching and learning research programme. London Knowledge Lab. 

Wilber, D. J. (2010). Special themed issue: Beyond 'new' literacies. Digital Culture & Education, 2(1), 1-6. 

Comments

  1. New Media & New LiteraciesJanuary 20, 2023 at 3:11 PM

    Hi, Sara! When I am offered the option between print or digital, I usually pick digital! It is funny how everyone differs in that area - even within the same age group. Which is one of the reasons I love new literacies and technologies because it opens opportunities for different learners, different abilities, and different experiences. I think that using a good balance of print media and digital media is best in the classroom because it allows students to become experienced in both areas. It is important to have opportunities for both for their sake of their futures whether that be in college, in their careers, or just in life in general.
    I love incorporating fun technology experiences on top of the "boring" educational ones. For example, for reviewing topics before an exam you could use a blooket or kahoot game. You could also do a digital choice board for review or as a center. There are some examples of choice boards on this website : https://www.smore.com/epxnd-digital-choice-boards

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  2. MandaJanuary 23, 2023 at 1:00 PM

    I use power points with my students, especially when introducing a new artist and their work. It was kind of funny to watch my first graders when I would go through the power point because they thought it was magic! The words moved across the page! The picture appeared behind the words! It definitely helped some of them pay attention during the lesson-win!
    But it also made me wonder whether or not their regular classroom teachers were using this or other forms of technology when teaching the students?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Patty TironeJanuary 23, 2023 at 4:56 PM


    Your opening paragraph resonated with me. I found it ironic for myself to be in class learning about digital literacies and new media while printing the articles out to read and annotate with a highlighter and pen. Durrant and Green (2000) write “Literacy is changing. Once it was entirely shaped by the technologies of the printing and publishing industries and their associated cultures.” (p 1)
    How we get information and go about our daily lives has shifted. When I think about my experience in my undergraduate versus now, it is completely changed. While there has been a shift in literacy I think the pandemic really solidified many experiences. While ordering items online such as Amazon is not that new, the idea grocery shopping online, tickets for the movies or a sporting event can now be done from the convenience of home or honestly wherever you are. It almost seems strange if we cannot access something via technology.
    Wilber (2010) writes that “new literacies, in contrast with traditional literacies, are more participatory.” (p 2) What comes to mind here is the use of shared documents in either Google Drive or OneDrive. Many can access and edit, share, and add information. Within the classroom or in our professional work, we have programs like Nearpod and Jamboard where we can share ideas in real time with people in different locations.
    I recently participated in training about creating escape rooms in google slides that I shared with a teacher at my school. I can share it with you if you would like. You can send me an email with your gmail account. I am not in the classroom this year, but I want to try and use technology with my teachers in grade level meetings or help them use technology more within their classrooms. The pandemic forced many districts to quickly go from shared devices to 1:1. Yet I am not sure if it is being used any better.
    Thanks for the thought provoking post.

    Durrant, C. and Green, B. (2000) Literacy and the new technologies in school education: Meeting the l(IT)eracy challenge?The Free Library. (2014). Retrieved Jan 18, 2023 from https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Literacy+and+the+new+technologies+in+school+education%3a+Meeting+the...-a063132991

    Wilber, G. (2010). Digital Culture and Education. Special themed issue: Beyond ‘new’ literacies. Retrieved January 17, 2023.

    ReplyDelete

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