Taking an academic view of literacy, this paper is a useful introduction to the literature of literacy and will interest any professionals keen to explore theories of education beyond pedagogy.
Informing practice in English: a review of recent research in literacy and the teaching of English
Synopsis
This literature review, commissioned by Ofsted, provides an overview of recent national and international research in the field of literacy and English teaching. Drawing on social practice theory, the authors examine the idea of literacy as a product of different social, cultural and historical contexts.
The review concludes by arguing for a new understanding of literacy to take into account pupils’ increased exposure to electronic communication: a new multi-modal model of literacy that recognises the computer’s ability to support pupils’ reading and writing, encourage independent learning, and foster new types of social interaction.
There is an extensive bibliography, providing a gateway to more resources on both traditional and digital literacy.