A1.4: “Expanding the Concept of Literacy”

Deidra Darst
8/25/07

Daley, E. (2003). Expanding the concept of literacy. Educause review. 33-40.

TAP: The topic of Elizabeth Daley’s article, “Expanding the Concept of Literacy,” is the need for a broader definition of the term “literacy.” The article discusses the importance of multimedia language in today’s world and why its vernacular should be considered when defining the term “literacy.” This article was written for anyone with an interest in multimedia, but particularly targets faculty members of higher education programs. The author presents her reasoning as to why the multimedia language should be incorporated into college and university curricula as a means of creating fully-literate individuals.

Claim: Daley states four issues supporting the expansion of the current definition of “literacy”: 1) the multimedia language of the screen has become the current vernacular, 2) the multimedia language of the screen is capable of constructing complex meanings independent of text, 3) the multimedia language of the screen enables modes of thought, ways of communicating and conducting research, and methods of publication and teaching that are essentially different from those of text, and 4) following from the previous three arguments, those who are truly literate in the twenty-first century will be those who learn to both read and write the multimedia language of the screen.

Evidence: Evidence is provided to support the author’s claim. The article mentions that television, film, audio recordings and radio are the primary means of receiving information in today’s world. While printed news is readily available, multimedia forms of news are, for most people, more easily accessed. Multimedia presentations have captured numerous events throughout its short history. The article states film’s importance in capturing the landing on the moon and still-photographs that have forever been engrained into our memories: a Vietnamese girl running from napalm, the Kent State Massacre and the Great Depression stills. Text alone could not have captured the emotions present in these forms of multimedia. Individual creativity makes new thoughts possible through the use of multimedia tools. A filmmaker uses multimedia tools to create never-before-possible images, scenes and thoughts. We can witness amazing, beneficial and educational works through his or her work with multimedia tools. The fourth argument for expanding the definition of literacy is greatly supported by the evidence provided. Many colleges, universities and high school programs are incorporating multimedia projects into their academic endeavors. The participants in these courses are enriched because the use of multimedia tools create an “emotional impact that is thought to exceed that of written text” (Daley, 2003). A connection is made between the learner and the material that deepens understanding.

Connections: This article made me reconsidered some of my beliefs. I, unfortunately, am one of the people mentioned in this article who has questioned the importance of multimedia knowledge within higher education curricula. When friends of mine enrolled in multimedia, film and television classes, I often thought, “Wow, they are taking easy, unimportant classes!” Why would a college student need to know about television and film? I often pondered this very question. The reading of this article gave me a new perspective on this issue. The multimedia language has become a dominate component of the twenty-first century vernacular. Multimedia has infiltrated nearly every aspect of day-to-day life, and should be considered a crucial aspect of modern literacy skills. This particular course, CD 315, is allowing me to develop my multimedia literacy skills. Many believe that the use of multimedia within the classroom detracts from the learning from texts; but, if knowledge is to be gained from the use of these technologies, then the need for this type of instruction is justifiable. The article made a noteworthy point when stating that multimedia projects allow students to create works in order to communicate with peers, rather than merely completing assignments to please professors. By posting my assignments on this weblog, I am sharing my thoughts and ideas with my peers and fellow Internet users. I am making my work accessible to millions of people and possibly creating in them an interest in the topic of information literacy.

This article covers many of the same issues of my previous readings on information literacy. All of the articles state the importance of using all means available in the process of obtaining information. Knowledge is to be gained in the area of multimedia language and should be considered in the educational process.

This article speaks to me as a future speech-language pathologist. I should consider the importance of multimedia language in my future clinical endeavors. I should ask myself several questions prior to beginning therapy with a client: Would he or she benefit from non-traditional forms of learning such as computer games or television programs? Does he or she possess the background knowledge needed to use multimedia language? If not, what can I do to aid them in this area? As the available technologies change and grow, so do the opportunities available to the practicing professional. Therapeutic processes should be dynamic rather than static; if new technology would benefit a client, then the therapy process should change to allow use of said technology.