Adolescent Literacy

Paper Summary:

This paper explores various factors that affect adolescent literacy. The author examines the impact of technology on adolescent literacy and the amount of research dedicated to the topic. The author further argues that research into the acquisition of literacy skills tends to focus on younger children, not teens. Statistics are cited that show low-teen literacy and competency. The author concludes with suggestions for strengthening adolescent literacy in the US.

From the Paper:

"In this context - of becoming aware of the sociocultural impact on literacy and of technological development and influence on literacy -, it becomes clear that students have different needs, and opportunities, and teachers should facilitate the learning of new skills. For example, the works of Gina Cervetti, Michael Pardales, and James Damico examine the difference between critical reading, or reading analytically, and critical literacy, which involves the stances (or "subjectivities") taken when readers examine a text within particular sociocultural frameworks (Grisham, D., 2001). Reading critically, involves not only answering the question "What does this text mean?" but also asking "How does it come to have a particular meaning (and not some other)?" Similarly, literacy is more than school literacy, Donna Alvermann (2001) asserts. One form of literacy (academic literacy) should not prevail over multiple other forms (e.g., computer, visual, graphic, and scientific literacies) and the idea has been criticized for ignoring the fact that different texts and social contexts (reading for whom, with what purpose) require different reading skills (Barton, Hamilton, & Ivanic, 2000; Gee, 1996; Street, 1995)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Donna E. Alvermannn, Kathleen A. Hinchman, David W. Moore, Stephen F. Phelps, Diane R. Waff (Editors) Reconceptualizing the Literacies in Adolescents' Lives Lawrence Erlbaum Associates; 2nd edition (March 28, 2006)
• Grisham D. Technology and Media Literacy: What Do Teachers Need to Know?, Retrieved from http://www.readingonline.org/editorial/april2001/index.html
• Donna E. Alvermannn (2001) Effective Literacy Instruction for Adolescents, Retreived from http://www.readingonline.org/editorial/edit_index.asp?HREF=november2002/index.html
• Kerbow, D. Excerpted from a videotaped interview with David Kerbow (North Central Regional Educational Laboratory, 1999). http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/content/cntareas/reading/li100.htm
• Image, Language, and Sound: Making Meaning with Popular Culture Texts, Donna E. Alvermannn, Margaret C. Hagood, Kevin B. Williams)

More papers on Adolescent Literacy:

• Essay # 88144 : "Adolescent Literacy and Literature"
• Analytical Essay # 46978 : "Literacy"
• Research Paper # 106956 : "Reading Problems"

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