Rational Litearcy
Raymond P. Broy
RDNG 510
University of Phoenix
What is Literacy and its significance in the context area classroom.
When exploring the concept of literacy, you must understand what literacy is. Literacy is
described as the ability to read and write; as technology changes, literacy has changed. In today's
educational world, literacy is the ability to understand concepts as well. "Literacy is an evolving concept
that changes with society over time." (Vacca, R. T., Vacca, J. A. L., & Mraz, M. E. p. 20) Literacy helps
students communicate more effectively and helps them think independently and more critically.
Content literacy helps support students with the advancements of new technologies. Literacy in areas
such as media and computers helps students maneuver in the 21st century and helps teachers teach
and relate to the change of times in education.
Adolescent literacy is critical to student's success in middle and high school. Using reading strategies in
science and social studies and writing practices like CER (claim, evidence, and reasoning) can assist
students in becoming proficient in literacy. In content classes, literacy is a core value for understanding.
Students build conceptual knowledge, learning how to use vocabulary and solve problems from the
content being taught and using the reading strategies. Textbooks, magazines, and internet assignments
are ways students can understand literacy and practice the ability to read and write. Every subject
matter and content area should increase literacy by having students read and answer questions. This
will increase their ability, and they will significantly respect reading. After utilizing and reading and
answering questions as part of the lesson, students will be able to show how they comprehend the
lesson, with is also a part of literacy. This shows how students can communicate their understanding of
the text or assignment.
Potential problems that may arise while teaching new and multiple literacies as well as using text for
literacy instruction.
Multiple literacies and new literacies are adapted to the many changes in technology. The
change in technology causes potential problems. 21st-century technology, text messaging podcasts,
social media networking, blogging, and video recording pose a potential problem for literature. Students
have created a new language in texting and often need to write out complete thoughts. Students
assume the reader knows the subject matter, much like short handwriting. "There are many differences
between reading printed text and reading text in a digital medium." (Vacca, R. T., Vacca, J. A. L., & Mraz,
M. E p. 42). Decoding is a problem that has begun with multiple and new literacies; students are having
issues sounding out the words and comprehending text. Students speed in reading a text has decreased
because It is a difference in comprehension, and they are not learning at the same rate. With the change
in literacy format, students become more distracted and cannot focus on the reading because they can
move to understand the platform more freely on a digital medium.
Middle school and high school students learn in many ways; for some students, providing
different reading alternatives will help a student grow. Providing more lessons that contain an increase
in reading and writing will help students become more confident in the area of literacy within any
context. Students need more confidence to succeed in comprehending text and understanding the
reading. "Students who have trouble with their literacy skills go through the motions of reading without
engaging in the process." ( Vacca, R. T., Vacca, J. A. L., & Mraz, M. E p. 48) Having lessons that include a
diverse way of learning can improve the literacy skills of many students. This will help struggling
students grow.
Conclusion
Education is a very challenging concept, and helping middle and high school students
understand the importance of reading is also a challenge. Planning to have lessons rooted in
literacy within all contexts will help students grow. Even when problems arise in reading in any
content area, provide different strategies and continue using them to help students succeed.
Reference
Vacca, R. T., Vacca, J. A. L., Mraz, M. E. (2020). Content area reading: Literacy and learning across the
curriculum, (13th ed.). Pearson Education.