What’s so different about multiliteracies?

Sami Alotaibi
Class: AE1-B
Date;April 13, 2011
Major: Manufacturing Engineering

Reading Reaction Journal #3

Reference
Bull,G and Anstey,M.(2007, April 20). What’s so different about multiliteracies? Retrieved April 8,2011, from http://www. Curriculum.edu.au/leader/whats_so_different_ about_multiliteracies


summary

According to the article,”What’s so different about multiliteracies?” the authors define a multiliterate person as a person that can use many kinds of technology and creatively communicate in the world. Additionally, the authors give us an analysis for demonstrating a critical approach to learning and empowering teachers.Technology has changed the society to a digital world. On other hand, to use new technology in learning, we need to understand the new technological improvement such as how to use the grammars of language, moving images, music and sound. Second, the article focused on who we can help teachers to understand multiliteracies, and organizations may develop programs called Multiliteracies projects. This programmers have included many things to help empower teachers such as self-reflective techniques, strategies to improve pedagogical practices, and supporting teachers throughout the project. In sum, we must encourage the talks and collective self-reflect at every stage of these projects.


Reaction

First of all, as student in the US, I strongly agree that students need to able to understand multiliteracies. Additionally, they need to have the skills to use all five semiotic systems that have been identified in the article;the linguistic, the visual, the gestural, the spatial and the aural. years ago, I had seen the development of the technology and especially in the old school which I received through my life. For example, when I was in secondary school, the only available aids were the old media such as books and pens, but now the educational tools have developed in a surprising way. For example, it is easier now to conduct research and to find different references using the internet.

I agree with the idea that multiliteracies project programs will help teacher to understand of multiliteracies. I think the most important thing is that these programs can improve the relationship between planning, pedagogy and practice.

To summarize, I believe that understanding multiliteracies today require more than reading about it, but it is necessary to use in different parts of education.

Multiliteracies and communication media

Sami Alotaibi
Class: AE1-B
Date;April 3,2011
Major: Manufacturing Engineering

Reading Reaction Journal#2
Reference

Multiliteracies and communication media.Queensland Government
Retrieved March 31, 2011,from http://education.qld.gov.au/corporate/newbasics/html/curric

Summary

According to the article, “ Multiliteracies and communication media,” the author defines Multiliteracies and communication media as the communication technology which uses several ways to transfer the massages and information to other people. Actually, communication media involve the spoken, written, and visual media. Historically, it has developed since World War II into more complex layers. To achieve good communication, we need to understand the new technological improvement such as how to use the internet and computer. In addition to that we need to know about different cultures. And, understanding the new codes of media will also help solve different problems in schools and workplaces. On the other hand, multiliteracies is a successful way of understanding other cultures. In sum, it is not enough to only communicate using old media, but we need to know different languages.

Reaction

First of all, as an international student in the US, I strongly agree that multilingualism is very important to communicate with other cultures. On the other hand, I have witnessed the development of media a specially in the old school that I have received through my life. For example, when I was in secondary school, the only available aids were the old media such as books and pens, but now the educational tools have developed in a surprising way. For example, it is easier now to conduct research and to find different references using the internet. In the classroom, instructors made use of the new technologies such as projectors to make it easier for students to understand the material.

As I am a teacher, I agree with the idea that new communication technologies might overtake the old techniques, but I think they only enhance them. People still need to talk to each other and face to face to build good communities and understanding.

To summarize, I believe that it is necessary to use new media technologies in different part of life such as education, workplaces and industry.

Pen to Help Children With Learning Disorders Designed

Aki Huang
EAP1C
RRJ#3
Apr. 11 2011
21st century skills

Reference

Adesulu, D. (2010, December 29). Pen to Help Children With Learning Disorders Designed. Retrieved April 10, 2011. From AllAfrica Global Media. Retrieved from Lexis Nexis


Summary

According to Dayo Adesulu, in his article, “Pen to Help Children with Learning Disorders Designed”, the author mentions that the Multimedia Printer Reader (MRP) talking pen boosts students’ learning in the 21st century. An educationist and physician thinks the talking pen assists learners who suffer from learning disorders and children who are visually challenged. In addition, it could be a good implement for in English Language Teaching (ELT) because it helps students using correct pronunciation and enunciation. Also the talking pen enhances self-learning and would be beneficial for the parents who cannot read or write. An entrepreneur thinks MRP is a very useful technology for learning; it will be introduced in the educational system.

Reaction

Nowadays, many kind of teaching equipments have been invented, such as electronic boarda and talking pen. The talking pen is an effective tool for learning in the 21st century. My little younger brother had a story book which functioned like a talking pen; the story book used MRP technology to make the pen get the signal and read the sentences. When I saw the story book, I felt very interested. How could this product make learning become a fun thing? I can’t forget that my brother used to read the book again and again because the book aroused my brother’s learning motivation. Therefore, I think talking pen is one of a good inventions to learning in 21st century.

Pedagogy of multiliteracies

Name: Nada Al Zahrani
Class: EAP 1 B
Date:4/21/11 Major: Chemistry

Reading Reaction Journal#3

Reference:

Pedagogy of multiliteracies (2011, April 12). Literacies and Multiliteracies. From http://natalia.ronda.ca/dcp/pedagogy.htm.

Summary:

This article talks about the importance of integrating technology in the educational process, and the importance of technology in the educational process because it develops students skills such as reading and writing. Also it talks about the importance of democracy in the educational process. Moreover, with technology, students can participate better in the educational process. It is important to train teachers on technology for this process to be useful in teaching. Also, to enrich the educational process, teachers should use the technology so that students benefit from their experience. Finally, the success of any educational process is based on the student and teacher, and their way in deal with problems.



Reaction:

I think it is important to use modern technology in the educational process to help both the teacher and the student to improve the educational process. And also I think that with the technology the role of the student will be activating within the school. In addition, the technology will help the students to create an atmosphere of enthusiasm and diligence. And also the technology will help develop the capacity of both the teacher and student in the multiliteracies. In addition, these are sessions that are held frequently to train students and teachers to have anything new in the computer world, and serve the educational process. The teacher depends on the computer in his commentary through the use of PowerPoint. And also the teacher sends the duties of the article to students by email and so on. I think that the teacher's use of the technology in the learning process is a positive point.

The Multiliteracies Map

Reference:
The Multiliteracies Map. (2010, January 05). Government of South Australia. Retrieved on April 8, 2011, from http://www.earlyyearsliteracy.sa.edu.au/pages/resource/21402/?reFlag=1

Summary:
In this article, the author introduces The Multiliteracies Map, which is divided into four dimensions: the functional dimension, the meaning making dimension, the critical dimension, and the transformative dimension. This map was developed based on research which is focused on children whose ages were 4-8, and it is used by educators to learn how to educate children and how to evaluate them. In this research, the author concludes that children must be able to learn both traditional and digital literacy smoothly at the same time.

Reaction:
I remember that my father bought a computer for the first time when the Windows 95 was on sale. I was 12 years old, and I could not learn how to use it at all. Today, I have come to use it in my job or in my home every day and understand how to use it effectively. Considering of The Multiliteracies Map, however, I found myself to be poor at the functional dimension, and I do not know what it means. In this article, the research got a wonderful consequence. As the author says in the very last sentence, “today’s children must be able to do more.” I think it is true, but teachers who can educate children in digital literacy correctly are required for children. Then the world will be smaller and more useful in the future.

Baraa RRJ 3

Bull, G. and Anstey, M. (2007, April 20). What’s so different about multiliteracies?. www.curriculum.edu.au. Retrieved on April 13, 2011. From http://www.curriculum.edu.au/leader/whats_so_different_about_multiliteracies,18881.html?issueID=10766

Summary:
In this article, the authors said that literacy and literate practice should include a variety of knowledge, because of the globalization and technology progress. They said that students must be able to several things at the same time (multi-tasking). The authors mentioned that there are five semiotic systems: “the linguistic, the visual, the gestural, the spatial and the aural". So the 21st-century individuals need to be able to do use and deal with all five semiotic systems. Also, the authors mentioned that any multiliterate must be able to know every detail in a printed text or electronically-showed text in order to analyze and discover equivocation. Also, they said they prepared "professional development programs" to assist teachers in becoming advanced in multiliteracies comprehension. These programs, according to the authors, were designed to fit the needs of the clients, including some techniques and strategies to improve the teachers' performance. The authors said that teachers' participation is extremely important to integrate the use of multiliteracies. In addition, they described the obtained results of their multiliteracies projects.

Reaction:
In my opinion, this article is very useful, and it deals with a very modern aspect, multiliteracies. The main idea of this article is wonderful, because it suggests new methods and presents a mega project to make students familiar with 21st-century requirements. I think that the given details and the mentioned examples in this article are very well expressed, for the necessary skills on them the authors focused on the new needs which have become mandatory to survive in this era. Also, I think that such projects which the authors engaged in are very beneficial, because they will help us to provide the suitable environment to learn and to use multiliteracies. I think that the success in the projects of the authors is proved by the obtained results which show deep understandings to multiliteracies gained by the participating teachers. In addition, the participating teacher said that they improved their way of dealing with students; they get better, and this is evidence, in my opinion, which encourages people to take an interest in learning and teaching multiliteracies.

ARWA_EAP1-B_RRJ#3

Reference
Pallarito, K. (2011, March 16). Multitasking and crosswalks a risky mix for elderly. CNN.com. Retrieved on Mar 11, 2011. From: http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/03/16/cell.phones.health.com/

Summary
In this article author talked about the riskiness of crossing the street while using mobile phone for older people. The author said that there is research indicating that multitasking can affect the activities that older people do. The writer added that the study found that older adults have less chance of crossing the street in less than 30 seconds than the younger people. Also the older people take more time to start walking. The writer refers to this delay in walking rising when they are talking on cell phones. The writer mentioned that the cell phone is one of things that makes the mind does not think correctly when crossing the street. One’s mind must be unfilled to know the distance between one and the coming cars and know the speed of the car so one can cross safely. Some professors are interested in knowing the internal processes in the brain that cause slowing in the older age. These professors made a street to know about the reasons through simulation. After that, they bring equal number of university students and the older people to cross the street when they talk on phone. Through this experience they saw that the older people take a longer time than the university students to cross. The writer mentioned that the study says that the mobile causes a danger to people, especially older people when crossing the street. In the end the author tells us that there are some areas that prevented the use of electronic devices when crossing the street or driving a car.


Reaction
Through this article I want to speak about two important subjects each of them linked together. First is the person when he/she grow up, he/she is susceptible to the change. No one stays at the same situation. Each stage in the life has activities that increase or decrease depending on the age. A child cannot do what the university student does and what the university student does the older people cannot do. This thing is due to reasons within the mind. I see that this article talks about this the subject correctly. Second is the danger that is happening when we are busy with electronic devices whether crossing the street or driving a car. These devices are taking the person's attention so that he/she cannot give the other subject any importance. In my opinion the ability to perform two jobs at the same time is not an easy thing for any person. Most people cannot give attention to doing more than one job. This does not mean that there are no people able to do two jobs at the same time. I see that the older people are less capable of performing two jobs at one time because the mind’s ability is not equal to that of the university student.