Multiliteracies

**Multiliteracies** Multiliteracies and communications media, refers to technologies of communication that use various codes for the exchange of messages, texts and information. Historically, communications media have included spoken language, writing, print and some visual media like photograph and film. Since World War II, the various electronic media such as television and other digital information technologies have provided much more complex audiovisual layers to these. (Department of education, training and the arts 2004)

Traditionally when one thought of literacy we immediately assume that it is page bound, however in this increasingly globalised world and the continuous introduction of new technologies this cannot be the case any more. Many say the aim of education is to prepare children so that they can fully function in todays society, in order to so I think that the use of these new technologies such as computers and the internet needs to be integrated into the classroom. Currently even before children enter the classroom they are already familiar with some sort of new technology and in some cases even more familiar than than the teacher. From educational CD ROMs that children play with at home, to the not so educational car racing racing games they play on their PlayStation 3.

Teachers have found that children look forward to using multimodal texts, if they enjoy it there is a higher chance of them learning and retaining more. It's been found that the use of electronic multimedia has opended up an interactive world that can support a child's literacy development.


 * Benefits of advancing technologies:**
 * Preschool children who were introduced to different literacy software programs were found to improve their spelling and story telling (Hill, p337)
 * the use of these technologies can work as a 'reward' if children complete their work they can then get on the computer, for an educational game. The children have fun but continue to learn at the same time.
 * Through the internet the classroom and home can be linked together, the children can use the computers at home to carry on work started in the classroom. As it is enjoyable there is a higher chance of children getting on a computer to do some revision rather than work on some question and answer sheets.
 * The internet also provides endless access to information, as children get older they will find that this comes in handy for assignments, just as I have done for this assignment.


 * Disadvantages of new technologies:**
 * Some information available on the internet is not reliable
 * Accessibility: some homes and schools do not have access to new technologies
 * Increases the amount of sedentary behaviour children do each day
 * Through children having access to mobile phones and the internet, a new generation of bullying has been created. Many children are now suffering from children bullying them through text messages, emails etc... Which can make the school become an undesirable place.