week I notes

Welcome to Multiliteracies

  • Week 1 begins on 5 November 2024

Course Overview

  • Key Components:

    • Moodle platform

    • Assessment 1

    • Literacy and literacy theories

Instructor Details

  • Name: Dawn Haynes

  • Email: d.haynes@cqu.edu.au

  • Phone: (07) 49309072

  • Home Phone: (07) 49361364

Course Structure

  • Weeks 1-7: Zoom sessions

  • Vacation Week: Begins 23 December 2024

  • Non-Teaching Week: Begins 30 December 2024 (2-week break)

  • Weeks 8-12: Start on Tuesday, 7 January 2025

Required Text

  • Fellowes, J. & Oakley, G (2014). Language, Literacy and Early Childhood Education (3rd ed). OUP Victoria

  • Available in E-READING LIST

Moodle Information

  • Engagement:

    • Weekly engagement with Moodle is crucial

    • Courses structured by weekly topics providing:

      • Introduction and overview

      • Course learning materials

      • Discussion forums for collaborative learning

    • Assessments details available in the assessment tile

Readings

  • Weekly readings should be accessed via the e-Reading Lists provided on Moodle.

Understanding Literacy

  • Defining Literacy:

    • What is literacy?

Reflective Engagement

  • Reflection Exercise:

    • Identify activities involving literacy from the past week.

Essential Readings

  • Mandatory Chapters:

    • Chapter 1: Language, Literacy and Early Childhood Education

    • Chapter 1: Literacy in the Modern World (Winch et al)

    • These will cover definitions and theories of literacy.

Definitions of Literacy

  • Luke & Freebody's Definition (2000):

    • Literacy is a flexible and sustainable mastery of various textual practices integrating traditional and contemporary communication technologies (spoken, print, multimedia).

Social Practice Perspective

  • Discussion Points:

    • Interpret Winch et al's assertion that 'literacy is a social practice.'

    • Effect of technology on literacy in the 21st century.

Literacy Frameworks

  • Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF, 2022):

    • Literacy encompasses using language in diverse forms (music, storytelling, visual arts) and includes critical analysis of contemporary texts from both print and electronic media.

  • Australian Curriculum Definition:

    • Literacy involves reading, writing, speaking, viewing, communicating across contexts, effectively adapting language for different purposes and settings.

Theoretical Perspectives on Literacy

  • Four Key Theoretical Perspectives:

    1. Maturational

      • Emphasizes biological readiness for literacy skills.

      • Overlooks emotional and cultural influences.

    2. Cognitive Developmental

      • Skills develop in a set sequence influenced by environment and stimuli.

    3. Cultural Heritage

      • Knowledge transmitted through texts; culture preservation through reading choices.

    4. Skills Approach

      • Language is taught as a fixed system through direct instruction and decontextualized activities.

  • Emergent Perspective:

    • Based on Piaget's work, emphasizes community influence and active construction in literacy learning.

  • Socio-Cultural Perspective:

    • Recognizes the cultural experiences that shape literacy practices in educational contexts.

Socio-Cultural View Elements (Barratt-Pugh, 1998):

  • Children learn literacy from participating in various literacy activities in their environments.

  • Literacy practices can be culturally specific and affect children’s identity.

Reflective Questions

  • Which literacy theories inform your teacher's beliefs?

  • Are multiple theories reflected?

Concept of Multiliteracies

  • New London Group (1996):

    • Identifies various literacies (scientific, critical, visual, computer).

    • Recognizes different cultural groups and their literacy practices.

Multiliteracies Map Components:

  1. Functional User - Technical skills and knowledge.

  2. Meaning-maker - Understanding various text types.

  3. Critical Analyser - Recognition of selective nature of texts studied.

  4. Transformer - Application of learned concepts in new contexts.

Self-Reflection

  • Consider your own literacy practices in light of the Multiliteracies Map.

Assessment Task 1 Description

  • Due Date: 13 December 2024

  • Task: Write a response to Martello's quote about multimodal practices in literacy teaching, discussing socio-cultural theories, learners' backgrounds, literacy practices, and teaching strategies.

  • Word Count: 1500 words max (specific exclusions apply).

Use of Generative AI

  • Use Gen AI for ideas but do not copy/paste directly.

  • Proper referencing is essential to avoid academic integrity issues.

Assessment Portal Information

  • Links available for suggested structures, criteria sheets, and FAQs regarding Assessment 1.

Conclusion

  • Prepare Effectively:

    • Engage weekly with Moodle and follow provided links to resources thoroughly.

    • Review academic writing conventions, essay structure, and proper APA referencing techniques.