Multiliteracies





Globalisation is taking over the world. Development of technology, travel, and access to information is increasing at a larger rate than ever before. This need for global connectedness and speed of information has lead to the increased knowledge and curiosity of different cultures, history and languages all around the world. Language has evolved dramatically from English once being only spoken in Britain, and every other country having its own acquired tongue. Through migration, settlement and travel, the modern English language is now characterized in many ways in the shape of accents, slang, cultural settings and the origin. As Cope and Kalantzis state ‘language and other modes of meaning are dynamic representational resources, constantly being remade by their users as they work to achieve their various cultural purposes’ (Cope & Kalantzis (2000) page 5). The basics of language learning must then be able to keep up with the advances we see in technology and language every day.



 Technology and learning are connected in many different ways, especially in today’s world. Children are now able to access learning through, television, CD-ROMS, DVD’s, internet, email, computer games, text messaging and more. All these different sources allow the individual to gain this new information with speed at the click of a button. Multiliteracies incorporate this new change in technology and language, and combine it into one new way of learning which has found to be engaging for young children because of how much it relates to their world they live in. Multiliteracies have proven to have expanded our mental thinking of reading, writing, speaking and listening. 

Most multilateral learning takes place out side of the school setting, like at home. Access to computers and everything they offer provide motivation for a child to learn more, with all the sounds, colors, pictures and games available to attract their attention. It is related to the child's interests and view of the world, and enhances the child’s learning of this world through different types of learning. These different types of learning are called the design elements and they help teachers identify the main elements of a text to help the child understand.

The design elements include:  ·  Linguistic Design: this includes vocabulary, structure, delivery, metaphor and modality.  ·  Audio Design: includes voice, music and sound effects.  ·  Spatial Design: includes the ecosystem, geographical meanings and architectural meanings.  ·  Visual Design: includes the color, perspectives, vectors, foregrounds and backgrounds.

 ·  Gestural Design: includes behaviors, sensuality, emotion, kinesics, and body control.

All of these elements allow the teacher to decide which parts of a text are important and relevant to the student, and helps them to design a class program which engages each student continuously, and helps them get the most out of the learning.