Chapter 2: New Literacies for English Learners

The reading this week dealt with the concept of new literacies in the classroom. New literacies are described as texts that incorporate print, audio, video, and graphic design and are often found on the internet or in other media sources. The authors explain how these texts require a different interaction from students. While print-based texts are read linearly and experienced in the nearly same way by every student, reading of digital texts is "individualized and proceeds in a nonlinear fashion, based on the immediate interests and characteristics of the reader" (p. 33). Students can move between elements in digital text with just the click of a link, personalizing the experience for each reader.

 While the book notes how children today are considered "digital natives," it is important to remember that many students, especially those who have recently immigrated to this country, may not be comfortable using technology. For these students, it is important to be explicit with our expectations in the use of digital text. Internet or computer workshops are a great way to familiarize students with technology and support its use in developing language and literacy. Teachers can walk students through their interaction with a text, using a "think-aloud" process to model what information is important and what can be ignored.

Despite this initial challenge, the use of digital texts can greatly support struggling readers and writers. The authors note how digital texts often incorporate multiple modes of representation, such as audio, video or picture, to support information in print. Many websites also include hypertext that may link to "pronunciations, definitions, and explanations of keywords and terms" (p. 37). Teaching students to use these resources effectively allows them to access individual support, which can be in short supply in a crowded classroom. Advanced students would enjoy creating their own hypertexts, while they are required to think more holistically and extend their learning into multiple formats.