Multimodal texts week 7

 

Walsh, (2010) describes multimodal texts are ‘meaning-making that occurs through reading, viewing, understanding, responding to and producing and interacting with multimedia and digital texts’. It takes a whole range of modes into account including images, words, sounds, video and a variety of texts. Children can experience these through paper and technology thus getting a wider spectrum of understanding using different outputters (Marsh & Hallet, 2008)

 

In this seminar we used and explored multimodal texts including using powerpoint to create a book. I had never thought of using powerpoint for this, instead leaning towards apps such as bookcreator. I was very surprised by the outcome and ease of using it in this manner. I have often seen ready-made interactive books used within a classroom but the idea of making them is an exciting one and I feel that, not just the teacher making and presenting, but giving the children an opportunity to create their own books would really support their writing. East Riding of Yorkshire Council [Online]  back this up by stating that multi-modal texts can be created by both children or teachers and are adaptable to suit learning needs and contexts.

 

 Teachers who are new to working with multimodal texts are often reluctant or scared to use them as they associate these texts with computers, therefor technology and show a lacked confidence in ICT (Anstey and Bull, 2010). Though I feel that these tools were very easy to use and with some training or ever a video showing how to use specific apps or programs, it will hold its own place within the classroom and within lessons.

 

I will defiantly aim to use these tools in my classroom. Because of this session I feel more confident in my ability to use them and to help others. I feel a lot of planning would have to go into using these tools in lessons but I think it would be very beneficial and enjoyable to the class.

 

Anstey, M and Bull, G. (2010) Helping teachers explore multimodal texts. ‘Curriculum and leadership Journal’                     [Online]               available at:http://www.curriculum.edu.au/leader/helping_teachers_to_explore_multimodal_texts,31522.html?issueID=12141

 

Marsh, J. & Hallet, E. (2008) Desirable Literacies: Approaches to Language and Literacy in the Early Years. London: SAGE