assignment education in the field of teaching language
- 1. UNIVERSITY of GUYANA Faculty of Education & Humanities DEPARTMENT OF FOUNDATION AND EDUCATION MANAGEMENT ERE4102 Introduction to Literacy Studies ACADEMIC YEAR 2024-2025 CONTINIOUS ASESSMENT Lecture- Ayana Williams GROUP 3
- 2. GROUP MEMBERS: Jason Marshall Gracelin Campbell
- 3. WHAT IS LITERACY Traditionally, literacy was often understood as the ability to read and write at a basic level. UNESCO (2006) defines literacy as "the ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate and compute, using printed and written materials associated with varying contexts" (UNESCO, 2006).This definition highlights a broader perspective that goes beyond basic reading and writing skills to include comprehension and communication in multiple forms. Contemporary definitions, however, emphasize that literacy is multi-dimensional and context-dependent. According to Cope and Kalantzis (2000), literacy now encompasses not only the traditional forms of reading and writing but also digital, visual, and media literacies.The evolution reflects society's need for individuals to navigate a more complex information landscape.
- 4. THE CHANGING NATURE OF LITERACY The fast growth of technology and changes in society have greatly affected literacy.With the digital age here now literacy goes beyond traditional print texts. New skills like digital literacy highlight using online platforms understanding multimedia and evaluating information critically. For instance social media needs people to communicate in text, visuals and multimedia forms.This change influences how we teach literacy requiring teachers to use technology in their classrooms. Teaching now involves showing students how to read, write and think critically about digital content and use different tech tools well.
- 5. TYPES OF LITERACY Functional Literacy The term "functional literacy" describes the fundamental abilities needed to carry out daily tasks like reading bus schedules and filling out paperwork. Functional literacy guarantees that students can apply their reading and writing skills to real- world problems in the context of modern education (OECD, 2010). Example: A critical part of functional literacy, which is essential for handling personal finances, is comprehending financial accounts.
- 6. TYPES OF LITERACY Visual Literacy Visual Literacy in Today's World:This refers to the skill of interpreting and creating meaning from visual images, which is increasingly important as visual media becomes more widespread. Students must learn to "read" images much like they do text (Kress & Van Leeuwen, 1996). For instance, when looking at advertisements, it's essential to understand how visual elements communicate messages and influence behavior.
- 7. TYPES OF LITERACY Cultural Literacy Cultural literacy is the aptitude to understand and participate skillfully in a specific culture.The term was coined by E.D. Hirsch in 1987, emphasizing that common knowledge is crucial for effective communication in a society. For instance, recognizing cultural references such as historical happenings or well-known idioms can enable individuals to interact more meaningfully.
- 8. TYPES OF LITERACY Critical Literacy Critical literacy teaches learners to critically assess the power structures and ideologies present in texts. According to Freire (1970), education should enable individuals to comprehend both the "world" and the "word," cultivating social justice and awareness. Example: Analyzing news articles for hidden agendas or prejudice is a common practice in critical literacy education.
- 9. HOW DOES CRITICAL LITERACY HELPS YOU? CONSIDER THE TWO ARTICLES: Article 1: Left-Leaning News Site • Headline: "Peaceful Protesters Demand Action on Climate Change" • Summary:This article focuses on the peaceful nature of the protest and the message about climate change. It includes quotes from protesters and environmental groups.The article describes the event as well-organized and positive. • Article 2: Right-Leaning News Site • Headline: "Protest Disrupts Traffic, Causes Delays“ • Summary:This article talks more about how the protest blocked roads and caused traffic problems. It quotes drivers and local officials who were frustrated with the delays.The article briefly mentions the climate change message but focuses on the disruption.
- 10. CRITICAL LITERACY MAY HELP YOU TO: Questioning the Source: Critical literacy encourages you to consider who is writing the article and why. For example, knowing that one news outlet leans left and another leans right helps you understand that their perspectives on the protest might be shaped by their political or ideological goals. Recognizing Bias: By reading critically, you can identify the specific language choices, quotes, and emphasis used to promote a particular view. In the left-leaning article, the emphasis on "peaceful protesters" might be an attempt to cast the event in a positive light.The right-leaning article’s focus on "traffic chaos" could be a way to downplay the protest's importance by focusing on its negative impacts. Conclusion: In this way, critical literacy empowers you to see through media bias, understand how different outlets may try to influence your thinking, and form your own well-rounded perspective based on a broader view of the event.
- 11. TYPES OF LITERACY Computer Literacy In the current digital age, computer literacy is crucial as technology becomes increasingly integrated into our daily routines. It involves the effective utilization of computers and related technology (Buckingham, 2003). For example, being knowledgeable in productivity software such as Microsoft Office or basic programming languages like Python is essential in many professions today.
- 12. APPLICATION AND EXAMPLES The significance of incorporating literacy ideas into practical applications for student engagement cannot be overstated. A good example of this is having students in a classroom environment create digital stories that combine visual and written narratives, thereby displaying their visual and traditional literacy proficiency. Educators may also enhance digital and critical literacy by assigning online research projects, which encourage students to examine the credibility of internet sources.To add, charts, infographics, and diagrams can be used to clarify complex ideas, aiding students in recognizing the connections between different literacy forms.
- 13. EXPOSÉ: In creating the written piece on literacy concepts, one challenge we encountered was ensuring a comprehensive yet clear explanation of the evolving definitions of literacy.The broadening scope of literacy, encompassing digital, visual, and critical literacies, required thorough research and a nuanced understanding of how each type applies to modern society. At first, it was difficult to distill these ideas into digestible sections without overwhelming the reader. To overcome this, our group divided the research tasks based on individual strengths.This division of labor allowed us to deepen our understanding of each area and create a cohesive piece that reflected the diverse nature of literacy today. We regularly met to discuss our findings and clarify any ambiguities, ensuring a unified narrative throughout the piece.
- 14. EXPOSÉ: One specific example from our written piece is the section on critical literacy, where we included an analysis of news articles and media bias.The inclusion of real-world examples like this helped ground the theoretical concepts in everyday experiences, making them more relatable to the reader.We also used multimedia elements, such as charts that compare traditional and modern literacies, to visually represent the shift in literacy demands.These elements enhanced the clarity and engagement of our written work.
- 15. REFERENCES References: • Buckingham, D. (2003). Media Education: Literacy,Learning and Contemporary Culture. Polity. • Cope, B., & Kalantzis, M. (2000). Multiliteracies: Literacy learning and the design of social futures. Routledge. • Freire, P. (1970). Pedagogy of the Oppressed. Continuum. • Hirsch, E.D. (1987). Cultural Literacy:What Every American Needs to Know. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. • Kress, G., & Van Leeuwen,T. (1996). Reading Images:The Grammar ofVisual Design. Routledge. • Leu, D.J., et al. (2013). The New Literacies: Research on Reading Instruction with the Internet and Digital Technologies. International Reading Association. • OECD. (2010). PISA 2009 Results:What Students Know and Can Do – Student Performance in Reading,Mathematics and Science.