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last.updated 6.3.08

Defining Multiliteracies

Purpose

Arguably the New London Group's scholarship on multiliteracies and educational Design presents the next revolution for literacy education in English-speaking nations for it addresses many of the issues that will prepare citizens to prepare for the evolving world. However, few governments and schools have not embraced their principles. Today we will discuss the implications of The London Group's scholarship.

The readings for this week present the range of issues The New London Group argues should be considered when designing literacy education. We will discuss the following:

• What questions do you have about these articles?
• What are their respective arguments?
• What did you find most interesting about these readings?
• Dewey defines education as "that reconstruction or reorganization of experience which adds to the meaning of experience, and increases ability to direct the course of subsequent experience" (p. 76). The New London Group hesitantly defines the mission of education as "to ensure that all students benefit from learning in a ways that allow them to participate fully in public, community, and economic life" (p. 9). Are they making the same claims? If so, how, If not, what is different? How do you account for the differences? What do you think the definition of education should be?
• Why do you think governments and schools, especially English Studies have not embraced these theories?
• Considering that most English Departments have limited resources, how would you argue for a multiliteracies (or aspects thereof) pedagogy?

Activity I: Conversing with The New London Group

For thirty minutes freewrite the rationale for your Pedagogy Project and Rationale. In this freewrite you will converse with the New London Group about the applicability of their scholarship to the pedagogy you are designing. Work on conversing with some specific scholars and ideas. Post or compose your freewrite in the Pedagogy Project thread of Blackboard's Discussion Board.

After thirty minutes, you will be assigned to read and comment on two other posts. Make your responses substantive by engaging in the conversation. You will have twenty minutes for these responses. If you have extra time you may respond to more than one post. As the writer of the original post, you should go back and read what your peers have written.

If time permits, we will discuss the original posts.