“Literacy” is the ability to read and write. However , this definition doesn't help to explain how literacy might change as time changes and new products become available. "New literacies” that arise from new technologies include things like blogging, social networking, podcasting, gaming and videomaking. These digital technologies alter and extend our communication abilities by blending text, sound, and imagery (multimodal). These advancements help change what it means to both “read” and “write” and even change the meaning of “text.” A similar explanation can be found in Alvermann’s (2011) text, “by drawing attention to the need to communicate using multiple modes of representation, not just language, in a world grown increasingly diverse and dependent on new information communication technologies, the New London Group envisioned a design of literate futures that calls for more than simply print-oriented instruction” (pg.6). With the rise of “new literacies” in the classroom we are placing a new demand on the student and the teacher. We no longer expect our students to memorize as many facts, since it is just as easy for them to Google it.
Why bring it into the classroom?
Pop culture is a useful tool that can help get students interested and engaged in learning, and even offer resources for better understanding classroom material. Pop culture offers an opportunity for educators to meet students where they are. Students spend much of their time interacting with popular culture, and using it as an educational tool allows teachers to make that time more productive. Meeting students where their interests lie allows educators to better communicate with their pupils.
Example of how to incorporate it:
Students are constantly showered with advertising through television, print, and the Internet—and as we’ve already discussed in class, these ads play an important role in popular culture. Language subjects, business, history and social science courses all offer opportunities for students to examine their experiences with advertising. Teachers can ask their students to bring in copies of print ads or a link to a commercial to share with the class. The class could discuss the psychology behind each ad and whether it’s effective. Consider comparing historical advertisements with contemporary ones, so they can see how things have changed, or stayed the same. And then ask the students to create their own ads in print or on video.
Why bring it into the classroom?
Pop culture is a useful tool that can help get students interested and engaged in learning, and even offer resources for better understanding classroom material. Pop culture offers an opportunity for educators to meet students where they are. Students spend much of their time interacting with popular culture, and using it as an educational tool allows teachers to make that time more productive. Meeting students where their interests lie allows educators to better communicate with their pupils.
Example of how to incorporate it:
Students are constantly showered with advertising through television, print, and the Internet—and as we’ve already discussed in class, these ads play an important role in popular culture. Language subjects, business, history and social science courses all offer opportunities for students to examine their experiences with advertising. Teachers can ask their students to bring in copies of print ads or a link to a commercial to share with the class. The class could discuss the psychology behind each ad and whether it’s effective. Consider comparing historical advertisements with contemporary ones, so they can see how things have changed, or stayed the same. And then ask the students to create their own ads in print or on video.