Transcript UNIT 3x - critical

CRITICAL LITERACY,
COMMUNICATION &
INTERACTION 1 (GE3A)
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University of Aruba
FAS: SW&D / OG&M
September 8, 2009
UNIT 2
TODAY’S PROGRAM:
Where are we now; framework, connecting UNIT
1, Unit 2 & Unit 3
 Focusing on the theme of UNIT 3

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REFLECTION ON WHERE WE ARE NOW (1):


Communication process is dynamic and
symbolic
Is interactive and transactive:
Sender and receiver interaction is based on
(en)coding and decoding of messages
 Messages are composed of codes
 Negotiation of meaning, interpretation and identity
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Communication process is contextual (multilayered effect of contexts

see Neuliep’s contextual model, unit 2
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REFLECTION ON WHERE WE ARE NOW (2):

Communication is both intentional and
unintentional
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Communication process is ubiquitous
(omnipresent)
Communication process is cultural

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We are aware of the unintentional part, but focus
primarily in this course on the intentional part
one specific context: the cultural context
Communication shapes and re-shapes our
identities through the negotiation of meaning
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MESSAGES ARE COMPOSED OF
CODES/SIGNS
Stepping into ‘the code’ zone…
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{Unit 1}Human beings are social, they communicate
and make sense of their selves and their world
through codes (messages, ideas, conventions, rules
etc.)
We negotiate meaning and identities. Context is key
to the process of meaning-making. {Unit 2} focused on
the role of language plays in the meaning-making
process from a semiological approach
{Unit
3}Being ‘literate’ means here, being aware of
and being able to deal with these codes (coding and
decoding process) (understanding the world and who
you are in this world)
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PROPERTIES OF CODES (FISKE, 1990)
codes are systemized (language, sentences,
words, alphabet, agreement upon meaning of
arbitrary signs: A B etc.) (verbal/non-verbal
codes)
 All codes convey meaning: they are vehicles for
messages, ideas, rules
 Codes depend upon agreement amongst their
user and upon a shared sociocultural background
 All codes perform an identifiable social or
communicative function
 All codes are transmittable by their appropriate
media or channels of communication

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OBJECTIVES UNIT 3 IN TERMS OF THEMES
The meaning of the concept literacy
 Different approaches; interdisciplinary approach
 The social basis of literacy
 It is an evolving concept
 Literacy and development

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What does the concept
“ literacy ”
mean to you?
What does being ‘illiterate’ mean
to you?
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EVERYDAY LITERACY PRACTICES
If you reflect on a day in your life, from the
moment you wake up till the moment you go to
bed:
 What literacy events do you encounter in your
day?
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READING & WRITING (BARTON, 2009)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Research found 6 key areas of everyday life
where reading and writing are of particular
important:
Organizing life
Personal communication
Private leisure
Documenting life
Sense making (meaning)
Social participation
Development of your imagination; manifestation
of your imagination
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THE LOVE OF READING

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDNm4y7_2X
w&feature=player_embedded
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THE CONCEPT LITERACY
Many different definitions
 In its most basis sense refers to a cognitive
process that enables reading, writing, speaking
and listening
 Is the means by which people learn to be at home
in the worlds they choose [or find themselves in]
 Refers to the consciousness of the uses and
problems of language and the ability to express
that awareness in ways sanctioned by the culture


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Language is here the code. Language in the broadest
sense of the word.
Literacy encompasses more than only the world
of language
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LITERACYLITERACIES
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When we use the term literacy in its singular
form, we intend it to apply to multiple literacies
as well
Literacies include multiple kinds of processes
including the following:
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PRINT LITERACY

The ability to understand and interpret written
texts
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CULTURAL LITERACY

The ability to understand and interpret cultural,
social and ideological values that shape our
reading of ‘texts’
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MORE LITERACIES

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
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Visual literacy: the ability to understand and interpret
images, signs, pictures and non-verbal language
Media Literacy: the ability to understand and interpret
cultural messages presented by the media, such as from TV
and film
Information Technology literacy: the ability to use,
access and evaluate information and ideas via computers
Numeracy: the ability to understand and interpret
mathematical symbols, including reading charts and tables
And when talking about worlds, an example of such a world:

Political literacy: the ability for citizens to participate in
a society’s democracy process and government (an
understanding of how government works and of the
important issues facing society, as well as the critical
thinking skills to evaluate different points of view)
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EVOLVING CONCEPT OF LITERACY(IES)
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Literacy is central; new forms of literacies are
emerging
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why do you think this is the case?
Rapid technological and social change
The nature of communication and technology is
changing in fundamental ways
The concept of literacy evolves and is affected by
the concept of time:
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EVOLVING CONCEPT OF LITERACY(IES) (2)
How people use literacy is tied up with the
particular details of the situation and that
literacy events are particular to a specific
community at a specific point in history
 Compare baby boomers, gen X, gen Y, {gen
Einstein} and what about the gen Z?
 Talking about new literacies and rapid
technological changes
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHmwZ96_Gos
&feature=related
(*Response of class after watching video)
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REFLECTION SO FAR…
The concept Literacy is an evolving and dynamic
one
 Linking Literacy with communication:
 Communication for our purposes, refers here
both to the process of sending and receiving
ideas, information, messages etc. by means of
speech, writing or signs as well as to the study of
that process
 Communication and {critical} literacy skills are
consistently identified as being the hallmark of
an educated person  approaching Literacy in
terms of critical thinking and in terms of
development (=to empower)
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APPROACHING THE CONCEPT LITERACY
Dominant approach: formal literacy (educational
setting) (in terms of skills; being able to read,
write, speak and listen)
 Literacy as a concept is way too broad for it to be
approached only through the lenses of the formal
educational setting and in terms of performance
 Our approach will be a multidisciplinary one:
Performance, Social, Psychological, Historical,
Developmental and Critical
 Barton’s approach is very useful for our
understanding of literacy
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LITERACY IN EVERYDAY LIFE
Approaching Literacy from everyday life:
 Starting point: people’s uses of literacy, not from
their formal learning of literacy {everyday
events}
 Example:
 Video new ways of reading:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/27/books/27readin
g.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&sq=linear%20atten
tion&st=cse&scp=1
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THE SOCIAL BASIS OF LITERACY
(BARTON, 2007)

Barton and Hamilton (1998) studied the role of
literacy in people’s everyday life. (4 year long
study; qualitative research based on interviews
and observation)
*(assignment idea)
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THE SOCIAL BASIS OF LITERACY (1)
(BARTON, 2007)
1.
2.
3.
Literacy is a social activity and can be best
described in terms of people’s literacy practices
which they draw upon in literacy events;
People have different literacies which they make
use of, associated with different domains of life.
These differences are increased across different
cultures or historical periods
People’s literacy practices are situated in
broader social relations (social roles); social
settings and social institutions are important

E.g Research (Barton & Padmore, 1991) “wives
write Christmas cards and husbands write
cheques”: gendered literacy practices
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THE SOCIAL BASIS OF LITERACY (2)
(BARTON, 2007)
4.
5.
6.
Literacy is based upon a system of symbols;
symbolic system for communication. It is a way
of representing the world to others (literacy as
communication)
Literacy is a symbolic system used for
representing the world to us (literacy as
thought)
We have awareness, attitudes and values with
respect to literacy and these attitudes and
values guide our action (values and awareness)
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THE SOCIAL BASIS OF LITERACY (3)
(BARTON, 2007)
7.
Literacy has a story. Our individual life
histories contain many literacy events from
early childhood onwards which the present is
built upon. We change, and as children and
adults are constantly learning about literacy
(individual history: growth and development
and that of a whole culture over a longer time
period

8.
E.g. opening of Colegio and the Lago school in
Aruba
Literacy events and practices have a social
history

social history e.g Renaissance, Enlightment
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LITERACY IN EVERYDAY LIFE:
“HOW A FAMILY READS”
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/27/books/27reading.h
ml?pagewanted=1&_r=2&sq=linear%20attention&st
=cse&scp=1
(watch video)
A Family of Readers:
Jane Sims and her husband, David, spend hours
reading newspapers, magazines and books. Their
children spend most of their reading time online.
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LITERACY AND DEVELOPMENT:
What is the relationship between
literacy and development?
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{08-09-2010}:
International
Literacy day
{2010 theme}
“ The power of Women’s
Literacy”
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Some Int’ Literacy day theme posters
during the last years
source: UNESCO
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LITERACY AND DEVELOPMENT:
“LITERACY FOR LIFE”
EFA:
“ Literacy is a right and the
foundation for all further
learning.
Literacy gives peoples the tools,
knowledge and confidence to
improve their livelihoods, to
participate more actively in
their societies and to make
informed choices. In today
knowledge economies, literacies
are more vital than ever. Yet
literacy remains a right
denied to some 771 million
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people”
(UNESCO, 1996)
APPROACH UNESCO
Literacy as a human right
 inclusion for human development
 Human benefits: self-esteem, empowerment
 Political benefits: political participation,
democracy (ethic equality, post-conflict
situations)
 Cultural benefits: dealing with cultural change,
preserving cultural identities and –diversity
 Social benefits: health, reproductive behavior,
education, gender equality, emancipation of
minority groups etc.,
 Economic growth, sustainability

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“THE ILLITERATE OF THE
21ST CENTURY WILL NOT BE
THOSE WHO CANNOT READ
AND WRITE, BUT THOSE WHO
CANNOT LEARN, UNLEARN,
AND RELEARN.”
Alvin Toffler
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGCJ46vyR9o&eurl=
http://worldbuilder.ning.com/video/a-vision-of-studentstoday-a&feature=player_embedded
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ASSIGNMENT FOR NEXT SESSION
Interview at least 3 individuals that differ in age,
gender and education level
 ask the following questions:

What is the meaning of literacy in your everyday life?
(both on the personal as the professional level)
 What literacy practices are you involved in?
 What challenges do you encounter in terms of
becoming literate in new domains of literacies?
 What strategies do you have?

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Please make notes, so we can share and discuss
this in our next session
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