Overview

=__**Overview **__= ==

 The annotation of these ten articles explored the ideas of multiliteracies, the Four Resources Model, critical literacy and diversity in the classroom. The articles are based on The New London Groups work on multiliteracies and Luke and Freebody’s Four Resources Model. There is a consensus between the articles that the explosion of information and communication technologies has impacted the forms of text that students use, are surrounded by and exposed to, in their everyday lives. This has therefore highlighted the importance of using a multiliteracies approach to teaching and learning.   Due to the saturation of information and multimedia technologies there is a need to teach students critical literacy skills. Comber (2003), Jones (2005) and Rush (2005) support the notion of teaching students critical literacy skills from early childhood through to high school. These articles also encourage educators to use the students’ personal experiences, prior knowledge and interests, to engage students in literacy learning. Ryan (2008) suggests that to engage middle years learners, teachers need to create authentic projects and lessons that connect to the students so they can recognise the relevance and value in the literacy learning.   Henderson (2004) and Dooley (2008) look at the strategies employed to cater for diverse learners in literacy education. When planning literacy lessons, educators need to consider aspects of diversity in their teaching and understand how their pedagogical approach and teaching strategies will cater for student diversity. To promote an equitable literacy learning environment Dooley (2008) recommends adopting a multiliteracies approach in the classroom.   Frameworks within the articles focus on Cope and Kalantzis’ Learning by Design framework and the multiliteracies approach. The Four Resources Model is also referenced widely in the articles and often in combination with the multiliteracies approach. These approaches are referred to in many of the current articles and perspectives on 21st century literacy education. As a result of diverse classroom environments in today’s society, educators need to adopt a combination of these approaches to make students successful literacy learners.