Finnish students' multiliteracy profiles

Abstract

Finnish students' multiliteracy profiles are examined from the perspectives of both traditional printed reading and Internet activities in the light of the data collected as a national option integrated into the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2000 study. After reciting some previous findings on reader profiles as revealed by the initial international analyses of PISA data, the perspective is widened to encompass multiliteracy, which is defined according to the sociocultural view. Based on responses to a survey questionnaire, students were grouped by cluster analysis into six distinct clusters according to the frequency with which they read diverse printed materials and were involved in various Internet activities. The multiliteracy profiles are described, first from the perspective of literacy activities and further examined in relation to students' gender, reading literacy performance, socio‐economic background as well as access to books and computers. Finally, some pedagogical suggestions are made with a view to different groups of student readers.