Literacy is everywhere. We are surrounded by different
types of "texts" constantly. We are becoming more aware that literacy
is dynamic; it includes much more than just printed words on a page. Literacies
are "comprised of multiple modes of visual, sound...communication, video,
images, and advertising" (Wilber, 2010, p. 3). I'm a hardcore visual
learner. Part of this includes that I need to be able to see the words but this
also includes pictures. I'm constantly interpreting everything that I'm taking
in and creating something visual in my head.
I definitely feel that I'm balanced and in between this world of "old and new literacies". Im a book worm to the core. I don't think there's anything that compares to being able to hold a book and turn the pages and absorb and digest its entirety from cover to cover...but I also love kindle. I agree with Sharlene about the hyperlinks and the advantages that they offer. It's exciting to be able to read a book and immediately be able to look up a word at the same time, to further understand the author's point - without having to go get a dictionary.
Literacy to me is about empowering the reader and/or the author. It's all about making sense of various texts through questioning. Questioning involves communicating; whether it be in my own head or talking about it with someone else. The only way I'm able to use that text further is to make meaning first with myself and then understanding alternate viewpoints and interpretations. Even the way many of us have interpreted this initial discussion: our responses have already taken various paths.
Hi Alexis, I agree with you in that it is about empowering the writer and the reader. To me knowing that big publishing houses do not hold all the control over what is written and therefore read is important. I feel new technologies have provided writers with the freedom to write what they please and have it read all over the world in an instant. As much as I also like holding the book, I have to admire the reach capacity of ereader. Good luck with the course.
ReplyDeleteYes, @Carlos Lebron, now there is no need to get something approved for publishing just to be able to communicate your ideas to other people. These days, even an ordinary individual can freely share his ideas and beliefs with the world, however radical it may be. The web also has enabled us to interact with people who share the same interests.
ReplyDeleteAlexis, you have a fabulous post! You cover all of the bases, and lucky you, that you are balanced between the "old" and "new" literacies. I think you are in a position to have the best of both worlds. You have an appreciation for a well written book and you are obviously very adept at digital media and have a command of the new literacy. I think I will learn a great deal from you this semester!
ReplyDeleteBest,
Julie DeBold