M2: Blog Post 2 - How New Literacies are Relevant to Us

These readings have proven to be very inspiring and have significantly shaped my view on education. Media literacy has become an valuable tool that I frequently incorporate into my classroom practices. One approach I utilize is to engage my students in critical thinking exercises that challenge them to communicate effectively and analyze information thoughtfully. The article "Improving Digital Practices for Literacy" highlights that effective literacy instruction should prepare students not only to produce and communicate but also to interpret and engage with their peers, adults, and the broader community they will encounter throughout their lives. This approach to literacy prepares students for success in an increasingly interconnected world. What surprised me was how literacy was placed in such a narrow framework, considering it holds value and provides significant insights when used effectively. In the second article, we examine how literacy is defined, particularly through the lens of Gee (1996), who explores literacy in the context of Discourses.


Gee characterizes Discourses as the socially recognized methods of using language, which encompass reading, writing, speaking, and listening. However, Discourses extend beyond just verbal communication; they include gestures and various semiotic forms such as images, sounds, graphics, signs, and codes. Furthermore, Discourses reflect ways of thinking, believing, feeling, valuing, acting, and interacting with both people and the environment around us. Understanding literacy through this broader perspective highlights its importance in various social contexts. It underlines that literacy is not merely about the ability to read and write but also involves comprehending and producing meaning within cultural and social frameworks. This recognition encourages us to appreciate the depth of literacy and its role in shaping our interactions and understanding of the world.

In my workplace, we utilize digital literacy in many ways, but my favorite is storytelling. I use it to share stories and ask questions. I also incorporate games, such as math games that teach simple addition, and literacy games that focus on sight words.


References

Knobel, M., & Lankshear, C. (2007). A new literacies sampler. Sampling “the New ” in New Literacies.

Improving Digital Practices for Literacy, Learning, and Justice: More than Just Tools. Literacy Leadership Brief. (2018)

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