PP 107 Multiliteracies

The concept of literacy is changing radically. There is a colleague in my department who has written a book with the thesis that teaching children to read text may be an activity of the past. With audio and video capabilities expanding and new technology that reads text automatically and converts the spoken word to written, do children need to learn to read?

The theme in the present readings also brings up the power issue. My eyes were opened wide by Shirley Brice Heath and her research into different literacy styles, and how the main way we have of teaching children to read in the US is based on an Anglo Saxon model, leaving children with other types of experiences, such as oral histories, dragging behind.

Now for my part, I'm trying to become more internet literate. I'm very excited about the idea of a true community of practice. This is my fifth TESOL certificate course and I've yet to fully appreciate the possibilities of the online community of learning. In online courses I've taught, I've felt more of it with my students. The basic problem seems to me to be one of information overload and time. There's no way I can spend the number of hours online as indicated in Cheryl Oakes log, what with four courses to teach at the university, activities in the local TESOL and Teacher Educator organizations, writing, not to mention personal time, family and friends. Then there's sleeping!

So let's see what happens here!