New Literacy and the primary school classroom

I really enjoyed this weeks readings although I am not entirely sure how brief our comment is intended to be?

This weeks readings elaborate a concept of a new literacy that engages with both industrial and post-industrial epistemologies simulaneously. It is a nice framework for the realities of moving through both these spheres in the classroom (where explicit teaching is so valued). Based on the discussions of Callow and Knobel and Lankshear in particular I see new literacy as being a skill set and mind set that encompasses the interactions between a complex notion of multiple active engagements (non-linear and simulaneous assumptions, values, technologies, entry points, knowledge, experts, actions, viewpoints etc) with the more traditional hierarchical and linear notions of knowledge, the physical and "real" experiences associated with the industrial past and present.

In classroom practice I see this as an ability to both construct and de-construct objects, viewpoints, values and forms in a way that utilises accepted notions of critical literacy whilst simultaneously problematising and reframing them. Knobel and Lankshear noted that those with new literacy skills evidenced a positive and self-educative orientation to technology aa well as its inherent risks. One particular aspect of their discussion seemed to me of great significance in considering my future role as a primary school teacher. They note that the multi-tasking evidenced in students working within a new literacy schema is not discourteous but rather the fledgling development of a potentially critical skill in the future workplace where new literacies will be demanded.

I enjoyed the practicality of many of the sites presented in the Callow reading. It is nice to have a list of useful sites for primary kids without having to trawl to find them. I found the site at Projects 09 AllStars was useful because it gave me some ideas for how digital synthesis is being undertaken in the classroom. Viewing some of the students works reminded me though of how important it is when students work with technology to encourage them to think as well as do... This site had the benefit of being able to see works that were of interest and then follow them through to other sites that had easy tools for students to utilise in presenting their work.

As noted in the blog commentary for the "Tree Octopus" video traditional citation conventions seem to fall somewhat awkwardly in to some new media formats. In this discussion I am refering to the articles listed below.

Callow, J. (2008). New Literacies, New York & Web 2.0: a little knowledge is a helpful thing! SCAN, 27(4), 13-16

Knobel, M., & Lankshear, C. (2006). Discussing New Literacies. Language Arts, 84(1), 78