Role of Popular Culture in Literacy

The pervasive use of popular cultural texts and artefacts by young children and the role they play in the development of children's literacy has been receiving attention in the research community. A number of studies have explored the potential of televisual texts on writing (Parker 1999) and remixing(Belton 2000) as a new literacy practice. The findings of both studies have been phenomenal.



I have always been interested in young children's emergent literacy and reading studies which have focused on research in this area continue to precipitate my interest in emergent literacy.

I find the 4 theoretical models (utilitarian, cultural capital model, critical and third space/recontextualization) quite useful in explaining the use of popular culture in the literacy curriculum. The Utilitarian model has its roots in the philosophical principle that the right action is the one that brings about the greatest good for the greatest number of people. This model argues that the use of popular culture in schools can familiarize/orient students to school literacy practices although it has come under attack by critics.
I find the cultural capital model consistent with the principle of the New Literacy Studies and ideological literacy. This model views the use of popular culture as a bridge in the gap between young children's home and school literacy practices and knowledge. Certainly the cultural capital model does recognize and appreciate children's cultural knowledge and experiences.
The critical model focuses on the use of popular culture as a way to develop critical readers and writers. whereas the 'third space' model perceives this a providing young children with an opportunity to create/generate new knowledge and discourses from hybrid popular cultural texts and practices.

See side link for a comprehensive reading on the role that popular culture plays in the literacy curriculum.

Emergent Digital Literacy

I am really fascinated by this unit - Emergent Digital Literacy. Jackie's report on two studies regarding children's media use illuminated my understanding of the concept. Digital literacy as defined by Merchant (2007) refers to those literacy practices and events that are mediated by new technologies. Jackie argues that young children engage in a myriad of literacy related activities from birth which are crucial in setting the foundation needed for later success in literacy. These activities revolve around media (such as books, magazines etc), popular culture (such as toys, games, artefacts etc) and new technologies (such as TV, films, computer, mobile phones, console/video games etc) Although I never thought about research in this area but having read this research report as well the one on Digital Beginnings, I recognize the need for educators to be adequately trained in the use of media and new technology to augment instruction and to meet the needs of young children in a rapidly burgeoning technological society. My interest in research pertaining to young children has grown stronger now that I have been introduced to research which focuses on young children's use of popular culture, media and new technologies and the implications this has for curriculum development for young children.

Memes

I find this one extremely fascinating.....





And even more humorous.....Yes, yes! This is Delcious!

Remixing as New Literacy Practice

The concept of remix as a new literacy practice is a fascinating one. Digital remix is a practice that has been receiving much attention. It inolves the mixing of digital images, texts, sounds and animation Lankshear & Knobel (2006) to create something new. The following series shows how memeticists have remixed digital images, content and graphics







And... what about this? Dog talking to me?

Memes

The concept of memes is a new yet interesting phenomenon to explore. The work of Richard Dawkins in 1976 was influential in helping us understand how memes are replicated. Check out the link on the left for a better understanding of memes.

New Module

This module- Media Culture and Digital Text seems to be quite an interesting area to explore. The readings and discussion on issues pertaining to popular culture have been so illuminating. I get the feeling that the pursuit for larger profit margins by manufacturing industries and consumerism appears to be at the helm of the production and consumption of children's popular cultural texts.

Research Project

Ah..h...h. I breathe a sigh of relief. I have just completed my small scale research project investigating the online reading and writing activities of two 10-year old girls and the advantages of involving them in blogging. It was an enlightening experience for all of us. I am new to blogs and the participants had never heard of the world 'blog' prior to the project.

They were really motivated to read and respond to the story "Little Claus and Big Claus" by blogging. I have just learned how to include links in my blog so the blogs created by both participatns over the two week period can now be accessed on the left. Have a look

Error

Just playing around with my website to learn the features offered by blogsopt. Just created a link although it was not the one that I wanted to include. But I was successful at creating a link! Wow! I am learning all of this on my own.

Please be tolerant of my errors. I will get better at it.

Conducting the research

I think I am ready to begin the reseach. I am investigating the use of blogs to motivate students to read and write. All ethical issues have to be addressed. I think the letter to the parents and the consent form takes care of that.

http://www.wesfryer.com/teaching/

New Literacies: It's a Bloggy Ting

New Literacies: It's a Bloggy Ting

using blogs to improve literacy skills

Alternative to Reading Logs

"Web logging or Blogging" exemplifies a new literacy practice that is relatively new to me and the education system in my country. Educators and policy makers have seen the need to equip schools with computers and other new technology in order to meet the growing demands of this digital landscape. However I do not think that much is being done to effectively improve our pedagogical practices with the use of these technologies.