Department of Education, University of the People

EDUC 5271 - Advanced Practices for Teaching Elementary and Middle School Literacy

Dr. Amanda Nugent

Sept 13, 2022

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Introduction

Traditional literacy involves print on a page, or the ability to decode and make sense of words,

images, and other content that a reader can connect and then begin to understand. They are the

words and pictures that students read and pore over that are in textbooks, novels, on standardized

tests, and in comic books. “The new literacies encompass much more. Their utility lies in online

reading comprehension and learning skills, or 21st-century skills, required by the Internet and

information and communication technologies (ICTs), including content found on wikis, blogs,

video sites, audio sites, and e-mail. They require the ability not just to "read" but also to navigate

the World Wide Web, locate information, evaluate it critically, synthesize it and communicate it-

all skills that are becoming vital to success in this century's economy and workforce.” (Miners &

Pascopella, 2022).

Two Principles of the New Literacies

The principles that I have chosen are Principle 7: “The new literacies of the Internet are

increasingly dependent upon the ability to critically evaluate information” (Richards &

McKenna, 2003) and Principle 10: “New forms of strategic knowledge are central to the new

literacies of the Internet” (Richards & McKenna, 2003). Principle 7 states that “The new

literacies of the Internet are increasingly dependent upon the ability to critically evaluate

information” (Richards & McKenna, 2003). Students are normally faced with challenges when

using the internet. It includes different text structures and formats that can be difficult to read,

such as non-linear hypertext, and interactive texts. Online information sources are also often

multimodal, that is, they combine linguistic (through print), visual (via images and graphics),

aural (audio), non-verbal mixed with verbal (video), and numerical (e.g., statistics, graphs,

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tables) modes. When the modes in an online source are combined they can reference other kinds

of information and connect to students’ prior knowledge and experiences in different ways. It

can be especially difficult for young students who may find it challenging to analyze information

and are often placed at higher reading levels, or they may be poorly written and organized.

Teachers can assist by selecting appropriate information sources for their students. The sources

should be appropriate for their reading levels, reliable, and useful. Students also need to

understand how to overcome these challenges. Teachers can explicitly teach and guide them in

making good decisions about any information they may encounter during their research. This

will enable students to develop thinking skills that are vital for 21st-century learners. (Baildon &

Baildon, 2012).

The other principle states that “new forms of strategic knowledge are central to the new literacies

of the Internet” (Richards & McKenna, 2003). In this digital age, students are required to be

knowledgeable and acquire the skills they require to succeed as 21st-century learners. They

should possess the following characteristics , skills and knowledge as outlined by the Glossary of

Education Reform (2016):

● Be able to solve problems, think critically, synthesize, reason, analyze, and interpret

information.

● Be able to conduct and ask questions.

● Should be creative, artistic, curios, imaginative, innovative, and be able to personal

express themselves

● Be able to persevere, be self-directed, engage in planning, have self-discipline, can

adapt to different situations and use initiative.

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 ● Be able to demonstrate good oral and written communication skills, engage in public

speaking and can present information as well as listen to others.

● Are anle to demonstrate qualities such as Leadership, teamwork, collaboration, and

cooperation.

● Are literate in Information and communication technology (ICT), media and

internet, data interpretation and analysis and computer programming.

● Possess global awareness, multicultural literacy and humanitarianism

● Scientific literacy and reasoning, the scientific method

They are both related because they both require a greater amount of higher-level thinking in

order to make the right choices in acquiring knowledge as well as to choose sources of data that

are accurate, unbiased and reliable. Both emphasize 21st century skills that students need in

order to be literate in this digital age as well as to be proficient in literacy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both principles will help students to understand how to critically evaluate

information so that they can get reliable, accurate, and unbiased data. Students will develop

higher order thinking skills that are fundamental in today’s digital classsroom. “In order to be

successful in today’s society, one must be prepared to learn, adapt to, and use new literacies.

Since many of these new literacies are tied to proper use of technology, regular instruction and

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practice in how to use technology platforms is paramount. As such, teachers in all content areas

must focus on teaching new literacy skills in their classrooms. Not only does this prepare

students for their life after high school, it helps to close the digital divide that currently exists

between students from high socioeconomic households and those from low socioeconomic

households.” (Shelow, 2016).

References

Baildon, M. & Baildon, R., 2012). Evaluating Online Sources: Helping Students Determine
Trustworthiness, Readability, and Usefulness.
https://www.socialstudies.org/system/files/publications/articles/yl_240411.pdf

The Glossary of Education Reform, (2016). 21st Century Skills.

Miners, Z. & Pascopella, A. (2022). The New Literacies.

Richards, J. C., & McKenna, M. C. (2003). Integrating multiple literacies in k-8 classrooms:
cases, commentaries, and practical applications. Retrieved from eBook Central (accessed
through LIRN).https://cd21jrazs-mp02-y-https-ebookcentral-proquest-com.proxy.lirn.net/lib/
univ-people -ebooks/reader.action?docID=335545&ppg=26

Shelow, G. (2016). The Importance of New Literacy Skills in the 21st Century Classroom.
https://thecurrent.educatorinnovator.org/the-importance-of-new-literacy-skills-in-the-21st-
century-classroom