Key Learning Speech and Children Engaged In Multiliterate Practices (Coursework Sample)

Key Learning Speech and Children Engaged In Multiliterate Practices
Name:
Institution:

Key Learning Speech and children engaged in multiliterate practices
Part I
The course on language and literacy was quite helpful to me in a number of ways. First off, I learnt that language is a system of human communication, which employs arbitrary symbols such as gestures, voice sounds, and written symbols. The learning of language in children is a crucial element of their social development and integration into the society. The learning of language goes yonder than just grasping its particular conventions; it also involves the adoption of the cultural and social behaviors. In essence, the learning of language helps children to better appreciate their world through inquiring, discerning, and interpreting the various words and symbolism that are reflected in language.
Burr (2015) notes that the variation in the use of language is determined by factors such as context, shared meaning, and interaction. The social construction of language in particular setting dictates that the meaning of words is bound intimately with the social practices, through which people use that language in their day to day activities. Due to this, particular words are used in some particular situation and not in others. From this, I deduce that the way language is used in court is different from how it is used in a hospital set up. The words used could be the same but their meaning will be invariably different. Therefore, words are meaningful only within the context of a social situation that is mutually understood.
I also learnt that language and culture are inextricably bound. This is evident in the extent to which cultural differences are created and expressed though linguistic practices. In many almost homogenous societies, cultural differences are conceptualized through the pragmatic and semantic systems in the nuances of a particular language (Risager, 2007). This is critical to me as a student because I was able to learn that language development and socialization has played a critical role in the development of cultural models and identities across the societies in the world.
Literacy can be considered as one’s ability to read, write, listen and speak in a manner that allows them to communicate effectively. Risager (2007) argues that the power of literacy is not limited to the ability of reading and writing; it also entails a person’s ability to apply these particular skills to an extent that they are able to discern, interpret, and connect the communication intricacies in the world that they inhabit. I figure that the robust literacy skills are critical tools that children require for them to discern and interpret the information about their world, thereby enabling them to develop both socially and cognitively.
The current advancement in technology makes literacy inadequate. Today, it is not just enough to know how to read and write. Provenzo et al. (2011) note that multiple literacies are required to enable one to engage in the varied cultural forms, some of which are derived from new technologies and call for the development of new literacies for one to participate in the new cultural forms and media. In agreement to this assertion, I would argue that even though multi-literacies do not replace the traditional literacy; it has become essential for enhancing the capacity of individuals to effectively communicate in a world that is now connected through technology.

Part II


Image 1: (Sarabia, 2015)
In this image, a child is using a tablet in the class room, following demonstrations by the teacher. Tablets have become a common tool for communication in the modern world.


Image 2: (Edwards, 2016)
In this image, a teacher is demonstrating to her pupils how to use a desktop computer. The use of desktops is essential in integrating the traditional literacy with the current multi-literacies.


Image 3: (Australia Government, 2016)
In this image, students are watching their lessons through a computer at home. This is a departure from traditional approaches of learning, whereby student can take advance of multimedia technologies to revise on what they had learnt in class.


Image 4: (Jack, 2015)
In this image, the Year Seven students at Keysborough College are using iPads in classroom. As technology advances, communication gadgets have also taken newer forms and designs. Knowing how to use these devices gives one the competency to become better at communicating with others


Image 5: (Donnelly, 2015)
Finally, in this image, children are using early personal computers in the classroom. Most of the knowledge that is currently generated in archived online; when children learn early enough how to use computers they gai...