Reflection 1

            Chapter 1 in the Knobel and Lankshear reading discussed samples of the 2 levels of new literacies research.  The question these authors discussed in this chapter was what makes these practices “new” and “literacies”. (Page 11) I think the fact that most of the examples of literacy are technology based is what makes these practices “new”.  Blogging and podcasts are definitely ‘new’ to me!  To me, anything that you can read and can learn from should be considered “literacies”. As the picture I chose to use shows, I am willing to use any ‘literacies’ I can find that will help my students becoming interested in learning!  Whether it is comic books or stories about video games, nonfiction texts, or blogs, I am willing and excited to give it a try.  I just want my students to be actively engaged in their own learning.

            I enjoyed the section on ‘Meaningful content’ of literacies.  I would love to use this in my classroom as a teaching point when we are studying research topics.  The idea that people write and post information on the Internet to express themselves will be a good discussion starter!  Letting my students know that people write to feel connected to someone or something is a great concept for them to learn.  Or it may be just the opposite of that.  They may want to express their feelings of solitude to the world by writing.  Informing students of these types of literacies will be a powerful addition to the writing and research section of our class.