Transliteracy is the ability to read, write and interact across a range of platforms, tools and media from signing and orality through handwriting, print, TV, radio and film, to digital social networks. --www.transliteracy.com I felt a rush of adrenaline when I learned that a requirement of my capstone project was building a website. I envisioned pages and pages of inspiring and highly educating verbosity. Pages and pages of sweet, glorious verbiage. All in ten point Times New Roman.
Thank goodness that did not see the light of day. I'm very fortunate to have been introduced to the idea of transliteracy. I strongly believe that a project of this caliber cannot be designed without it in mind. In order to reach my readers, I have to use a variety of mediums besides my illuminating text. I believe that a website that is too text heavy will soon loose the interest of the viewer. This is very hard for me to admit because I am a unrepentant logophile. However, the use of videos, infographics, and images relaxes not only the eye, but the mind. I am terribly near-sighted. I can only see a few inches in front of my face. I find text, especially on the screen, hard on my eyes. As my eyes strain, my head aches. This will cause me to lose focus on the content. The designer of the website failed. I move on to the next website that doesn't cause me physical pain. Whatever the author wanted to share is lost. I did not want that to happen to my website. I wanted to keep my reader's interest until the very end. The same principle can be applied to the classroom. As teachers we should consider using a variety of mediums to keep our students engaged. I've known some teachers who continually use the same yellowed ditto sheets year after year because back in 1999 they accidentally made 200 copies. I challenge myself and my peers to think outside of the file cabinet. Transliteracy doesn't mean more computer use. It asks teachers to think globally. It asks teachers to think of varieties of ways to reach their students. It is not a secret that the longer you keep your students' attention, the more they learn. Why is this so important? Our world has changed since 1999. Domestic and International business is conducted under the umbrella of transliteracy. Education is no longer limited to a book, a stack of note cards and an erasable pen. We are in the business of educating children beyond the classroom. Please read my blog 703 Session 2 Blog: Transliteracy for more information on transliteracy.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Tess Giner
This is my 25th year as a public school teacher. I've taught every grade between Kindergarten and 12th grade. I hope to encourage my students to love writing and reading as much as I do. Archives
July 2019
Categories |