Defining New Literacies and Why They Matter

   Literacy today is so much more than just reading and writing in English. In the reading Sampling “The New” In New Literacies, Knobel and Lankshear defined literacies as “socially recognized ways of generating, communicating and negotiating meaningful content through the medium of encoded texts within contexts of participation in Discourses (or, as members of Discourses) (p. 4).” As a middle school Technology teacher, I witness every day how students read, write, and create meaning across a variety of digital platforms: from making slideshows and coding projects to using memes, emojis, and hashtags to express themselves. These are all examples of "encoded texts" shaped by the context of their interests. Understanding literacy this way helps me connect classroom content to students’ lived experiences and digital worlds, making learning more relevant to them. While some would see this as distraction, I see this as real forms of expression and learning. Sang (2017) reminds us that “the meaning of literacy is restricted to paper-based, formalized, and standardized forms of language that only reflect the dominant language and culture. However, along with the rapid change of technology and social life, the language skills needed to make sense of the world are also changing” (p. 16). While many schools still focus on traditional literacy, I like to focus on using the skills students actually use in their daily lives. I try to keep up with the times of technology so my students can get the most out of my class.

   This narrow view of literacy can unintentionally exclude students whose home languages, or cultural ways of communicating differ from the dominant standard.The NCTE Definition of Literacy in a Digital Age supports this broader view: “Recognize and honor the multilingual literacy identities and culture experiences individuals bring to learning environments, and provide opportunities to promote, amplify, and encourage these differing variations of language” (NCTE, 2019). By expanding our understanding of literacy, we as educators can create more inclusive and equitable learning environments that respect and build upon each student's unique identity. As noted in What is Literacy? Multiple Perspectives on Literacy by Constance Beecher, “An important component of critical literacy is the adoption of culturally responsive and sustaining pedagogy.”(Iowa State University, 2020). We cannot just introduce new tools, like tablets or apps, that does not just automatically make learning more equitable. In fact, it could deepen existing inequalities if students do not have the same access to tools. Instead, we need to focus on how digital tools support real learning goals. For example, in my classroom I assign projects where the students get to create an “Instagram post”, using captions and hashtags about bullying. We also will analyze other posts on Instagram about bullying. This practice helps to validate their voices, and also prepare them for real-world communication. Overall, by embracing new literacies and broadening our understanding of what it means to be "literate," we can better meet students where they are, which will foster a more inclusive and equitable learning environment.

A question I have for all of you is:

What are some ways you've integrated students' digital communication styles into your teaching?"