Blog Post #1: Defining New Literacies and Why They Matter
How New Literacies Practices Relate to my Professional and Personal Life
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| an example of how technology has improved my practice as a librarian--created with Canva |
In my jagged path from being an English teacher to now being a high school librarian, I've encountered many variations of how students learn. Back in the 1990s, before cell phones and digital media dominated the lives of teenagers, there was an idea that there were limited pathways toward student success. Now, all these years later, there seem to be unlimited avenues through which students and teachers can reach their goals.
As I raised my three children (now all in their 20s), I watched in awe, and sometimes dismay, as new and complex technological advances entered our world. As as avid reader, I read often to my children when they were young. By the time my third child arrived in 2002, there were ways to complement this practice. Videos such as Young Einstein recited poems on the TV screen; interactive toys allowed my children to play guessing games and unscramble words; and there seemed to be an endless well of educational and recreational tools advertised. While I still believe that nothing replaces the act of reading aloud, I also see how some of these advances benefit our society by aiding children and parents in ways previously unimagined.
In Juan Sang's article "Expanding Territories of "Literacy": New Literacies and Multiliteracies," she states that "new literacies are viewed as participation in collaborative activities to acquire distributed knowledge and skills" (17). I have seen this develop in real time as I watched the ways in which both my own children and my students incorporated new technology into their lives. Whether it was my sons' collaboration with online friends through gaming or my daughter's learning about social events through Instagram, my personal world has been greatly affected through the new mediums introduced in the past decades. Similarly, when I came back to the work force after several years, I had to learn a whole new way of communicating with my students through platforms like Google Classroom, Canvas, and others. This not only expanded my knowledge of new technology, but it also allowed me to connect with students who may not have otherwise shared aspects of their lives or work with me.
The way that literacy has traditionally been defined has been a narrow approach, especially as it relates to education. Years ago, when I taught students who did not have any of the privileges that could assist them with their learning, I had to do my best to work longer hours and spend more time with them to give them one-on-one attention. While this is still a beneficial practice, there are myriad ways technology has assisted in our push to obtain equity and help students who suffer from lack of resources. According to Constance Beecher, "about 67% of children nationwide, and more than 80% of those from families with low incomes, are not proficient readers by the end of third grade" (Becker). The concept of new literacies is one that has been trying to help lessen this discrepancy. In my district, there are digital reading programs that help struggling readers, apps such as SORA, through which students can get eBooks no matter where they are, and supplementary reading and interactive materials downloaded into Canvas, our learning management system. These don't magically eliminate the problems that have followed underprivileged students from elementary to high school, but incorporating these tools into their lives helps in the fight to help them make strides. For this reason, it's more important than ever to consider literacy in its expanded definition.
Works Cited
“Chapter 1. What is Literacy? Multiple Perspectives on Literacy – Methods of Teaching Early Literacy.”
Iowa State University Digital Press,
https://iastate.pressbooks.pub/teachingearlyliteracy/chapter/what-is-literacy-multiple-perspectives-
on-literacy/. Accessed 22 May 2024.
“Expanded Territories of “Literacy”: New Literacies and Multiliteracies.” ERIC,
https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1139059.pdf. Accessed 22 May 2024.
Hi KG Librarian. I enjoyed your compelling essay about the evolution of literacy and education from your personal and professional perspectives. You effectively explained some of the traditional methods of learning with the modern, technology-driven approaches, highlighting the dynamic nature of education over the past few decades.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your observation that the pathways to student success have broadened significantly with technological advancements. The transition from limited resources to a plethora of digital tools has revolutionized the educational landscape. As you noted, the introduction of educational videos, interactive toys, and various digital platforms has enriched the learning experience for children. These tools supplement traditional methods like reading aloud while providing diverse, engaging ways for children to acquire knowledge and skills.
However, while technology has offered new avenues for learning, I would argue that it also presents certain challenges. The increasing reliance on digital media can sometimes overshadow the foundational importance of direct human interaction and personalized teaching. Digital reading programs are invaluable resources, but they cannot completely replace the understanding and motivation a dedicated teacher can provide. The balance between leveraging technology and maintaining human elements in education is crucial.
Your reference to Juan Sang’s article is particularly insightful, as it underscores the collaborative nature of new literacies. This shift from individual to collective learning experiences through digital platforms is significant. It helps create a sense of community and shared knowledge, which is essential in today’s interconnected world. The personal anecdotes about your children and students vividly illustrate this transformation, showing how technology can bridge gaps and create new opportunities for learning and interaction.
The issue of equity in education remains complex. Despite the availability of digital resources, socio-economic disparities continue to affect access and proficiency. The statistic from Constance Beecher about reading proficiency among children from low-income families is a strong reminder of this ongoing challenge. While technology can aid in mitigating these discrepancies, it is not always a solution. Ensuring equitable access to these digital tools and providing adequate support for underprivileged students are crucial steps in addressing this issue.
Best wishes,
Monroe A.
Hi Monroe,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. Yes, I agree that direct human interaction is still a crucial component in literacy and human civil discourse in general. And yes, I also struggle with the fact that underprivileged students need so much more than digital tools--they need to be given equal access to the many available experiences and outlets that many others get from a young age.
Hi Karin G. Going from an English teacher to a school librarian, especially with a break in between, could imaginably present the stark differences between traditional literacies and new literacies. Technology has indeed provided teachers and students with plentiful avenues to meet instructional outcomes. What is interesting is the varied level of implementation of these different avenues. There are “traditional” teachers that are apprehensive when it comes to incorporating new technologies, there are “technology-centered” teachers who primarily use digital tools, and then there are teachers somewhere in the middle that try to find a balance between technology and traditional literacy instruction. What I think is the most important thing to keep in mind when determining methods for providing literacy instruction is you must have a comprehensive understanding of the different methods of teaching literacy and how you can leverage these different approaches to benefit the students you are serving. One method is not necessarily better than the other simply because it is technology based or not, but because of its effectiveness in teaching literacy to students when implemented mindfully and intentionally.
ReplyDeleteCommunication is one of the most significant literacy skills impacted by these emerging technologies, bringing many students from communicating face to face to communicating on digital platforms. I teach 4th grade and many of my student have cell phones. While students having access to these digital tools readily at their fingertips can present opportunities to practice these increasingly relevant communication skills, there is also a need to ensure they are developing these skills appropriately. This “appropriate usage” is where digital fluency bridges to digital literacy. Without teaching students to use technologies appropriately, we are not teaching them how to be digitally literate.
The inequities surrounding access to these emerging digital tools is important to take into account as we determine how to use these tools to provide literacy instruction. While digital technologies can help to bridge the gap in achievement, teachers have to be cognizant that they can also widen the gap due to accessibility issues. Students from low-income families may not have access to devices, reliable internet, or a productive learning environment at home. This can put them at a disadvantage compared to their peers. The difference in digital literacy and support that you mentioned from Constance Beecher’s work, can limit their ability to fully benefit from digital education tools.
Ultimately, there have been significant and rapid advancements in the tools teachers have in their instructional arsenal to provide literacy instruction to their students. If teachers engage in professional development opportunities to develop comprehensive knowledge of literacy instruction tools, they will be better equipped to provide high-leverage instruction to their students.
I really enjoyed your post because it closely mirrors my experiences in the classroom and raising my own children. It's been quite the treat to watch this evolve!
ReplyDeleteI think the most exciting advancements come in being able to lwarn or teach anywhere, anytime. I'll actually be moving to Jersey this fall but it won't interrupt my learning.