A couple of years ago at MSVU I had the pleasure of studying under diverse professors and researchers. Critical Literacy: Digital Literacies and New Literacies were a part of my studies.
Jerome Harste and Vivian Vazquez helped me explore conducive environments for literacy learning through inquiry. Reading to children, exploration and life's experiences are what lead to critical literacies. They demonstrated how to enable children the ability to critically discuss text. Read, Read, Read...was their Mantra...They loved Picture Books!
I was also introduced to and met Colin Lankshear and Michele knobel, Rebecca Black and Paul Gee. Through them my eyes were opened to a world of literacies that I needed to take advantage of more often. I learned about the benefits and implications of learning via media. I got hooked on RPGs; I was introduced to the world of fanfiction, wikis and social networking sites. I even learned what a Pecha Kucha was! Why fight it?? This is also critical literacy...
Many Media Tools and ideas and curricular engagements were passed on to me...All of their published books and research back up what I learned.
Thanks