Since beginning this class, I have expanded my understanding of the varieties of literacies that are relevant to teaching and their influence on teaching. For example, when I first began this class I only considered literacy in one general, traditional definition that includes reading, writing, and speaking. Since beginning this project, I have developed a much larger scope about literacy. I have always learned about ways to teach to a diverse group of students, but I don’t ever seem to learn about specific ways the students’ diversity affects their literacy learning. The focus has always been on socio-economic status, and not so much on other cultural factors, such as language, that can influence students.
Providing effective literacy instruction means that the instruction given is appropriate for all students. So, all different types of literacies must be included in curriculum – not only so that students have knowledge of the concepts of these literacies, but also so that the variety allows for success of all students.
I decided to create a comic for this project, mostly because it was one of the most popular choices that I have not yet been exposed to. I was not sure how effective it would turn out, but in the end I realized how beneficial comics can be in literacy learning. One of the GLCE’s for second grade in the writing genre states: Students will write a narrative piece such as realistic fiction, fantasy, or personal narrative depicting major story events, using illustrations to match mood, and containing setting, problem/solution, and sequenced events. Comics are extremely beneficial for meeting all of the requirements of this standard. The panels used in comics will help students develop a logical sequence of major events. In addition, the illustrations, however the students choose to create them, must match the mood of that part of the storyline. Although the writing style is not traditional, it can still be useful.
Why do you need software to create a comic though? Can’t comics be hand written? Of course, comics are not a new form of “literature.” The option is always available for students to hand write and illustrate their own comics on a piece of paper. Using software, however, is much more efficient and visually pleasing. Specifically, there is much more flexibility when using software; if a student realizes that his or her sequence of events does not make sense, it is very simple to revise the order.
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2 comments:
I agree that the focus of literacy learning in past courses has been on teaching diversity rather than teaching to diverse learners. I think that is an important distinction to make, but how do you think both of these aspects of literacy learning can be incorporated together?
Do you think that providing effective literacy instruction benefits all students, or mainly English Language Learners/ "Diverse" students?
I like that you included that comics are also a form of "old literacy" and that students could hand write comics as well. Do you think that students would be able to use this technology as well to create their own comic? or would it be mainly used as a tool to present / teach new information?
I love your comic! What you say in this post about the potential for using comics gets me thinking about the ways I can use them. It would be a great thing to read comics with the class and then have them right their own. Another thing that is useful about the software version of comics, especially for older students who think they cannot draw, is that it can take away that pressure. If they can take photos they don't need to worry about how other people think their drawings look, and will be more free to write.
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