Multimodal Literacy: Wikis, Vygotsky and School Practices

1. Multimodal Literacy: Wikis, Vygotsky and School Practices By Lisa Bender Edu 324 Teaching Reading in Middle School 3/1/2011

2. 21st Century Learners • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A-ZVCjfWf8

3. Focus: Does Multimodal Literacy Techniques, Like Wikis, Improve Student Comprehension of Core Concepts?

4. What is Multimodal Literacy? • Includes multiple forms and the combination of auditory, visual, gestural, spatial, kinesthetic, networking, information and technological communication within the traditional literacy of the classroom • Classroom changing to encompass a spectrum of technology

5. Literature Review • “Adults should not deny students abstract learning experiences” (Mills, 2010) • Multimodal Literacy includes “techniques of analysis that can both show how images and texts have been selectively designed to reinforce one another” (Tan & Guo, 2010) • Examples to modify literature roles in content areas include: Science: create a list of different songs to go with science concepts, provide real life examples such as clips from CSI, YouTube videos, etc (Thompson, 2008)

6. Class Assignment • Wiki literacy circles developed around the novels Touched by Spirit Bear and Fever 1793 • Silent reading two-three times a week in class • Students self-regulate reading and chose when to answer prompts on Wiki page • Students respond and discuss other student to student responses to prompt to expand ideas and collaborate on topics • Abstract learning experience created higher level of learning and comprehension of literature including visual vocabularies and descriptive art work • Integrating multimodal literacy into the classroom provides daily opportunities for success in and out of the classroom

7. Research Questions • How does the Wiki improve student learning? • Does use of the Wiki and its content promote critical, analytical and analogical thinking skills? • Does using the Wiki provide for reflection, collaboration, expansion of ideas and opportunity to support a diverse range of students? • Do students perceive an improved learning experience?

8. How does the Wiki improve Student Learning? • In an interview with the cooperating teacher, Mrs. Smith, it is evident why she choose using the Wiki program. She responded by stating this type of literacy circle was to “provide a wider learning scenario, motivate students to think beyond the reading and expand collaboration” while completing the assignment. • When questioned why using Wiki and net/Mac books in the classroom, Mrs. Smith stated “this allows everyone to read and write at their own pace and increases student participation”. • The Wiki literacy circle also provided expansion beyond the classroom, supporting Vygotsky theory that providing abstract learning experiences creates concrete learning.

9. Does the use of the Wiki and its content promote critical, analytical and analogical thinking skills? One prompt on Touching Spirit Bear considers four qualities discussed in chapter four, these qualities include patience, gentleness, strength and honesty. The prompt stated to rate these qualities (1-4) in order of importance to you. Which qualities do you look for in others? Which is most important to you? David responded as follows “Patience 1, Gentleness-3, Honesty 2 and Strength 4, I personally look for patience in others because I have ADD, so I might need a little time to catch what is happening around me, because sometimes I might be staring at a speck of dust floating in the air, then start to listen to instructions (Only sometimes!) I feel that gentleness is important because some people are sensitive to almost everything, so gentleness is definitely the most important to me” illustrated a higher thought level while generating his responses.

10. When asked in class to share their responses, if they choose to do so, David briefly responded with “I value patience first because you never know what others are going through”. In a private interview with David, I asked him about the difference in the two verbal and written responses. David replied that “I can write my thoughts better than voicing them and using the computers and wiki lets me share things without worrying if I sound stupid”.

11. Does using the Wiki provide for reflection, collaboration, expansion of ideas and opportunity to support a diverse range of students? • Students prepared to read Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem “Paul Revere’s Ride” and created a Visual Vocabulary list. This provided vocabulary that was related to the novels by connecting unknown words utilizing other works of literature. • The list included such words as Man-of-war, aghast, somber, belfry-arch, and grenadiers as examples

12. Do students perceive an improved learning experience?

13. Impact on Students and Literacy Skills • Critical, analytical and analogical thinking skills acquired and enhanced • Provided opportunities for collaboration, reflection, expansion of ideas • Supported a diverse range of students • Student perceptions was fun, interesting and improved comprehension of texts in novels and writing.

14. Conclusion/Reflection • To create successful learning environment teachers must find ways to connect with their students, think outside the box and currently that box is integrating technology. • The class I observed participated in and built a relationship demonstrated only positive aspects of incorporating multimodal strategies in the classroom. • The teacher was knowledgeable, willing to do the extra work and created a system that attracted and interested the students, thus engaging the students and creating abstract learning experiences they will carry with them into adulthood.

15. References Ballentine, Bella.(2010). Middle school receives grant. The Hurricane. V1. A1 Bauleke. D. & Herrmann. K. (2010). Reaching the “iBored”. NMSA.org. 33-38. Mills. K. (2010). Shrek meets Vygotsky: Rethinking adolescents’ multimodal literacy practices in schools. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy. V54 (1). 35-45. Richardson, Will.(2010). Blogs,Wikis, Podcasts and other powerful web tools for classrooms.3rd ed. 1-46. Tan. L. & Guo. L. (2010). From print to critical multimedia literacy: One teacher’s foray into new literacies practices. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy. V53 (4). 315-324. Thompson. M. (2008). Multimodal teaching and learning: Creating spaces for content teachers. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy.V52 (2). 144-153.