MULTILITERACIES USING MULTIMODALS:

Multi literacies a term set from the singular term literacy, the former term goes beyond standard writing and speaking to non -linguistic representations and ways of communicating that includes, but are not limited to the use of technology.(adapted from Jewitt,2008)

Learning to communicate comes naturally, whether it is considered from a behaviorist, cognitive or human perspective. Communication on paper, on screen or by media may actually be far more complex than we consider. Today's technology helps us to see that even reading and writing are not isolated skills.

Teaching new literacies:

To internalize new learning , teachings must be connected to prior knowledge or real life.
To enable students to realize new abilities and freedom through a critical framing perspective.

It is essential to balance a variety of strategies and techniques, as students are complex beings. Hence a comprehensive approach that acknowledge importance of both forms( phonemic awareness ,etc.) and function(comprehension purpose) of the literacy processes and recognizes that learning occurs most effectively in a whole-part-whole context. (Morrow & Dougherty, 2007, p.9)

VISUAL / SEEING

Skills such as visual awareness, visual tracking and visual discrimination has an impact on learners literacy development. In multi literacies , teachers must be conscious of the need of students to visually navigate and observe the elements of visual modes of communication

For example: The structure of digital texts is such that it provides options where to start reading a text.

( Jewitt,2008 p.259)

AUDITORY / HEARING

Auditory perceptions has a tremendous impact on a learners literary development. And with respect to multi literacies which is naturally multimodal. Being able to sequentially and spatially grasp sounds provide greater audio representations.

KINESTHETIC

To create a balance between different strengths and weaknesses, it is possible through multimodal literacies approach. From basic kinesthetic learning styles to concentrated brain gym activities, movement has been long associated with greater brain activity and enhanced memory ability.( Kaplan et al. , 2012) From a multi literacy perspective the important modes of communication are gestures, body language etc.

Multi literacies are multimodal ways of communicating through linguistic, visual, auditory, gestural and spatial forms, including electronic, digital, visual and print based as well as techno literacies (Hill,2007,p.56)

Literacy in the 21st is adapting to the needs of the learner that are multimodal rather than purely linguistic. Children's multi literacies learning comes under 4 categories which make up a framework called multi literacy map.

This framework enables educators to analyze the depth and complexity of young minds, understanding and making knowledge.

FUNCTIONAL USER:

-Locating , using signs and icons
Selecting and operating equipment
Moving between mediums like cameras, videos, computer

MEANING USER:

Understanding multimodal signs
purpose of text and text form.
connecting prior knowledge

CRITICAL ANALYZER:

Discourse analysis
Equity
Appropriate software/hardware

TRANSFORMER:

Using skills and information acquired in new ways
designing texts, producing new texts (Hill, 2007,p.59)

For effective , vital participation in the 21st century skills both the concepts print and digital literacy go hand in hand. Learners of this century are expected to more than just reading, writing, speaking, listening to able to decipher, achieve knowledge, express ideas through a range of different medias.

TEACHER'S knowledge of Multi literacy:

For teachers to incorporate multi literacies into classroom , they must have thorough knowledge of how signs and symbols convey meaning. Thus multimodal texts become a key aspect by

demonstrating a variety of ways to convey/communicating meaning
teaching learners that there's more to reading than print based texts
playing a critical role in present and future learning of students.

DESIGN ELEMENTS of multi modal texts:

Linguistic design denotes language, how messages are conveyed.
Audio design implies sound, speech
Spatial design imparts spacing, layout
Visual design conveys perspective, position
Gestural design implies gestures , body language , creating an atmosphere

Design elements fit with learning when learners

1) explore different ways of expressing emotions like verbal, facial expressions etc.

2) understand that language can be used to express needs, likes, dislikes

3) create texts that adapt language features and patterns encountered in literacy texts.

REFERENCES:

https://slideplayer.com/slide/5368032/

https://slideplayer.com/slide/6032944/

https://www.slideshare.net/nzagalo/videogames-and-multimodal-literacy

 

https://www.slideshare.net/leedersled/multimodal-multiliteracy

 

https://www.slideshare.net/tiffanykelly315/teacher-researcher-group-1?next_slideshow=1

 

https://www.slideshare.net/spans29/teaching-in-the-21st-century-multimodal