Based on trends of sophisticated technology, increasing globalization and digitization the way our society is communicating, teaching and learning has changed dramatically (Zapata & Lacorte, 2018). Especially the extremely limited definition of text which only referred to written pieces of work has altered tremendously (The New London Group, 1996). Nowadays, numerous modalities of communication, as well as multilingual discourse, are part of our everyday lives. Every owner of a digital device is able to participate in the daily discourse, for instance, on social media platforms like Instagram, by producing more or less meaningful content. Also, students become multilingual meaning makers by sharing their thoughts and ideas with humans from all over the world. Therefore, it is increasingly important to understand the role of multiliteracies for writing in the 21st century and to address the following question, whether multiliteracies is boon or bane for our society?
On the one hand, multiliteracy can be seen as an enrichment that is beneficial for students as well as for teachers. It offers the opportunity to make lectures more exciting by integrating a great variety of diverse modalities into the classroom, for example, the usage of videoclips, social media platforms, blog posts, etc.. Especially young learners might be more engaged when learning involves multiple senses and a topic is not only dealt with by reading a text. Furthermore, the usage of multiliteracies as well as the usage of new communication media reshapes the way we use language. Writing and reading is not only limited to a certain group of students/people, however, it brings different opinions and attitudes from Europe, U.S. and many other countries into focus, which also enhance the global understanding and sheds light into various cultural attitudes. It can therefore also increase students’ understanding of other cultures.
On the other hand, multiliteracies as well as the access to new technologies contain risks and downsides. Since an unprecedented number of people creates content via new technologies and the internet, students need to require a competence of critical literacy. Especially, the competence to evaluate the veracity of sources and of content can be seen as fundamental. Another point that needs to be mentioned refers to the influential character of the internet. To make use of multiliteracies in a productive and harmless way, students need to develop awareness of the considerable influence of social media platforms and how they present themselves, their thoughts and ideas on these platforms. Otherwise it is likely that students are influenced by fake news or have problems forming their own opinion.
In my opinion multiliteracy should definitely play a crucial role in (foreign) language teaching. However, teachers also need to illustrate the possible risks that go hand in hand with new technologies and multiliteracy. As I have discussed now numerous advantages as well as downsides of multiliteracy I would like to address the following questions to my readers: What do you think – is multiliteracy boon or bane?
Jana
The New London Group (1996) A Pedagogy of Multiliteracies: Designing Social Futures. Harvard Educational Review: April 1996, Vol. 66, No. 1, pp. 60-93.
Zapata G.C. & Lacorte M. (2018) Multiliteracies Pedagogy and Language Learning: Teaching Spanish to Heritage Speakers
Dear Jana,
I really enjoyed reading your blog entry. First of all, you chose an interesting title in form of a question. When scrolling through the blog entries, I stopped at yours because your title caught my attention. Secondly, your text is well-structured which makes it comfortable to read and also facilitates the reader’s orientation in your text. Furthermore, I think that it is good that you did not only concentrate on the positive aspects or multiliteracies but also drew attention to some problems it might provoke. I especially liked that you address the reader in the end of your entry. This really encourages the reader to think again about what you said and to form his or her own opinion. However, I would also have liked to hear you answer to the question whether multiliteracies are boon or bane. Moreover, I think that is great that you used academic sources one of which we did not even cover in class. I would suggest that you write something like “Sources” or “Works Cited” before listing your sources to make it a little clearer what is going to follow. All in all, I think that you did a good job and succeeded in engaging the reader.
Dear Jana,
I really enjoyed reading your blog entry. First of all, you chose an interesting title in form of a question. When scrolling through the blog entries, I stopped at yours because your title caught my attention. Secondly, your text is well-structured which makes it comfortable to read and also facilitates the reader’s orientation in your text. Furthermore, I think that it is good that you did not only concentrate on the positive aspects or multiliteracies but also drew attention to some problems it might provoke. I especially liked that you address the reader in the end of your entry. This really encourages the reader to think again about what you said and to form his or her own opinion. However, I would also have liked to hear you answer to the question whether multiliteracies are boon or bane. Moreover, I think that is great that you used academic sources one of which we did not even cover in class. I would suggest that you write something like “Sources” or “Works Cited” before listing your sources to make it a little clearer what is going to follow. All in all, I think that you did a good job and succeeded in engaging the reader.
Hi Jana!
Your title is eye-catching, that is why I read your blog entry.
I really like that you showed both sides of multiliteracy because many of us only thought about the positive effects. I started thinking about that there are not always only advantages when talking about technologies and it’s so true! The visible structure of your text is useful, so the reader knows when you are talking about what.
Nevertheless, you pointed out the importance of multiliteracy – but you were also critical.
Good job! (:
Dear Jana,
your blog entry is truly elaborate and cohesive. You included connectors for a better reading flow, listet your sources and also provided counterarguments to your arguments, which enriches your blog entry even further. Furthermore, your entry is clearly structured as it has an introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion. Finally, you concluded your text with a thought provoking question.
Simply splendid!
Best wishes,
Daniel K.
Hey Jana,
I really, really liked your blog entry because you didn’t just say that multiliteracies are super important and that they’re the future of language teaching etc.
You demonstrated critical literacy by looking at advantages as well as disadvantages of the concept. And as your article shows, there is a lot to question!
Your title caught my attention, your introduction works perfectly as a lead-in, your arguments are structured and coherent, and I like how you give your opinion at the end and then open the question for everyone.
The only thing I noticed is that some of your arguments perhaps relate to both reading and writing. For example, having to assess whether a source is reliable or being influenced by fake news – I guess that’s primarily reading. Nonetheless, your argument makes perfect sense and I would be interested to see what you could come up with if you went into even more detail!
Dear Jana,
your blog entry is truly elaborate and cohesive. You included connectors for a better reading flow, listet your sources and also provided counterarguments to your arguments, which enriches your blog entry even further. Furthermore, your entry is clearly structured as it has an introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion. Finally, you concluded your text with a thought provoking question.
Simply splendid!
Best wishes,
Daniel