Multiliteracies

Multiliteracies:
Multiliteracies is the culmination of various mediums simultaneously brought about by computers and the digital age. Children are now surrounded by aspects of multimedia, such as computer games, email, text messaging, DVDs, digital music and photographs, and need to have an understanding of many symbols in order to be computer literate. To understand multiliteracies “we require an understanding of semiotic theory to know how symbols - in the form of letters and words, drawings, icons of various types, photographs, colours and animation movement – can communicate meanings” (Kress & Van Leeuwen 2001). Children are now required to understand many symbols that were previously unnecessary or not yet invented, in order to use machines that are becoming as common as pencil and paper have been in the past. This is a necessary progression within a generation have been referred to as digital natives, and makes multiliteracies relevant to contemporary early childhood education.