This section of Literacy Ideas is dedicated to exploring non-traditional areas of literacy that may not comfortably fit within written and verbal communication skills. Literacy is fundamental to a student’s ability to learn at school and to engage productively in society.
Whether you refer to these areas as multiliteracies, new literacies, 21st-century literacy skills or otherwise, they address the evolution of literacy creation and consumption and its impact on teachers and students.
Multiliteracies is an educational approach acknowledging that there is not just one form of literacy but multiple forms essential for full participation in today’s society. This includes traditional forms of literacy, such as reading and writing, and newer forms, such as visual, digital, and media literacy.
Teaching multiliteracies requires a mind-shift in traditional teaching practices, as it focuses on developing a wide range of skills and competencies rather than traditional reading and writing skills. This approach recognizes that in today’s interconnected world, students need to be able to engage with various texts and media and use a range of skills to understand and produce meaning.
When teaching a multiliteracies theory of learning, create engaging and authentic learning experiences that assist students in developing their skills and competencies in multiple literacies. This might involve using a range of texts and media, such as videos, images, and podcasts, to create a more diverse and dynamic learning environment.
