Literacy Project Research Articles

Speak of the bubble – constructing comic book bubbles as literary devices in a primary school classroom

This article investigates teachers’ and pupils’ use of speech and thought bubbles in a classroom literacy project involving comics. Through studying video data on naturally occurring classroom interaction whereby participants in Grade 3 (ages 9–10) talk about bubbles, the aim of this article is to increase knowledge of how bubbles are constructed as devices of literacy. The analysis focuses on the action-oriented aspects of discursive psychology: emphasis, word repetition, uptake and the use of signs, symbols, and text in the comics. Results show how participants negotiate combinations of shapes, symbols and text to construct common knowledge concerning bubbles. Furthermore, teachers use pupils’ drawn bubbles, adding to them a variety of multimodal expressions, thereby illustrating how narrative focalization and character prosody are constructed in the reading of comics. The study of how bubbles are constructed contributes to a larger theme of studying classroom instruction using comics as resources for doing literacy.

Health literacy in Catalonia: Situation Analysis

Introduction: The World Health Organisation describes health literacy as the cognitive and social skills which determine the motivation and ability of individuals to gain access to, understand and use information in ways which promote and maintain good health. Health literate individuals have skills to keep healthier by themselves and to maintain their quality of life for longer. In ageing societies, where chronic conditions are expected to keep growing while resources will remain stable, health literacy is one of the keys challenges facing community health at the beginning of the XXI century.The Health Plan for Catalonia (HPC) is the indicative instrument and framework for all public programs in the field of the Health Ministry of the Government of Catalonia. The main 2020 goal of the HPC is to increase healthy life expectancy, that is, the proportion of years with a good self-perceived health status. This objective aligns with the purpose of promoting more health literate societies.Methods: During 2014 the health survey for Catalonia (HSC) included the short version of the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q16). HSC is an official survey that provides information on the health status, life styles and the use of health services of Catalonia’s population. 3.642 people aged 15 and over answered the questionnaire. HLS-EU-Q16 is a shortened version of the questionnaire HLS-EU-Q47, developed by the European Health Literacy Project 2009-2012, which was administered in eight different countries. As the longer version, HLS-EU-Q16 assumes a multidimensional concept of health literacy, which helps to identify health literacy profiles of individuals, but also of populations. A descriptive analysis of sociodemographic characteristics, health status and healht service use (% and CI95%) is performed according to the health literacy level of people.Results: Results show that the proportion of people with insufficient health literacy (either problematic or inadequate health literacy levels) is higher among people aged 65 and over, among people who attained primary education or below, and among people who belong to lower social classes. On the other hand, people without sufficient health literacy show worse perception of their health status, declare chronic conditions and have disabilities in a higher proportion than those who have sufficient health literacy levels. Regarding the use of health services, people with problematic or inadequate health literacy levels attend to the GP, consume medicines and go to the emergency department more frequently than people with sufficient health literacy.Discussion: The WHO global strategy on person-centred and integrated health care services establishes empowering and engaging individuals and communities as its first strategic goal. Promotion of health literacy is about providing resources and abilities to empower individuals and comunities but also about adapting health care systems to the needs of people. Results show that some people would face more difficulties than expected if they had to perfom health related activities. On the other hand, health literate people enjoy more autonomy when dealing with activities related to health information. In order to advance towards much more integrated and person-centred health care services, health literacy levels should be taken into account and promotion of health literacy at population, individual and health care serveices is desirable.Conclusion: Several difference arise in health status and health care service use arise according the health literacy level of people. These results are the starting point for designing the strategy on health literacy for Catalonia, which will help to design interventions aimed at strengthening and promoting health literacy, but also person-centred health care services.

Information literacy development in a small country: A practical proposition?

The article reviews aspects of information literacy activity in Scotland focusing on policy development and the extent to which this has been successful. It reviews briefly the work of the Scottish Information Literacy Project (2004-2010) and describes the activity of its successor body, The Right Information, Information Skills for a 21st Century Scotland (2012-to date). A literature review is included to inform performance criteria which can be used to assess the success of the work. The strategy of using Scottish Government and information professional policy documents to inform information literacy policy making is described. Engagement with other professions with an interest in information literacy is found to be essential and the problems identified in engaging with Scottish Government ministers and civil servants are discussed. 
 Although the Right Information has engaged successfully with the information and other professions in Scotland resourcing and the Scottish Government's emphasis on digital literacy at the expense of information literacy has proved to be a problem

“Tem que ter mais conversa entre professor e alunos”: a construção da interação em sala de aula via projeto de letramento

O presente trabalho investiga as estruturas de participação da fala-em-interação ocorridas em aulas de Língua Portuguesa, por meio da implementação de um projeto de letramento (KLEIMAN, 2000). Os procedimentos teórico-metodológicos estão embasados na pesquisa-ação (ANDRÉ, 1995) e apoiados na Microetnografia Escolar (ERICKSON, 2001), sob a ótica da Sociolinguística Interacional (GUMPERZ, 1982, 1998, 2001; GOFFMAN, 1964, 1967; RIBEIRO; GARCEZ, 1998). A pesquisa foi desenvolvida em um 8º ano em Bagé/RS e a análise dos dados ocorreu através dos registros contidos em questionários, notas de campo e gravação e transcrição de vídeos de aulas ocorridas no 1º semestre de 2011, durante a realização de estágio curricular. Os estudos sobre os processos interacionais procuram refletir sobre as diferentes participações que ocorrem na sala de aula, portanto, servem como fonte de pesquisa sobre o fazer docente. Como resultado da presente pesquisa, verificou-se que a análise das estruturas de organização da fala-em-interação e as estratégias utilizadas apontaram uma comunicação pedagógica não centrada nas professoras estagiárias, que privilegiaram a construção conjunta do conhecimento e a ampliação do engajamento discursivo dos estudantes.

Projeto de letramento: uma experiência de pesquisa no contexto PROFLETRAS

O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar uma reflexão sobre os desdobramentos das atividades no âmbito do PROFLETRAS (Mestrado Profissional em Letras /CAPES), com o desenvolvimento de pesquisa sobre projetos de letramento. Para a presente investigação, é considerado o desenvolvimento de um projeto de letramento com um grupo de 8º ano do Ensino Fundamental de uma escola pública paulista. Nesse contexto, discute-se sobre como tais projetos podem se constituir em estratégias da prática docente que levam ao desenvolvimento da escrita como instrumento emancipatório discente, na busca por alternativas para uma educação de maior qualidade. Os pressupostos teóricos que sustentam essa investigação baseiam-se em estudos sobre letramento e no trabalho com a pedagogia de projetos (KLEIMAN, 2006; SOARES, 2004, 2006; ROJO, 2009; OLIVEIRA et al., 2011).

A Collaborative I-LEARN Project With Kindergarten and Second-Grade Urban Teachers and Students at a University-Assisted School

This study describes an information/digital literacy project that was conducted with kindergarten and second-grade students and teachers at a university-assisted school. The study centered on the I-LEARN model—a learning model that blends research and theory from information science and instructional systems design—and investigated how the model could be used to support information-rich learning at the school; the dimensions of digital literacy that were most salient for the teachers and students; and how information/digital literacies can be taught in this setting. The data revealed that each teacher’s approach to the project, their assumptions about their students’ background with technology and research, and their own knowledge about information/digital literacies had significant effects on their students’ learning outcomes.

Delivering patient education by group videoconferencing into the home: Lessons learnt from the Telehealth Literacy Project

We examined the procedures for implementing group videoconference (VC) education for older people delivered into the home environment to identify the most common themes affecting the optimum delivery of VC home-based groups to older people. Participants (n = 52) were involved in a six-week group VC patient education program. There were a total of 44 sessions, undertaken by nine groups, with an average of four participants (range 1–7) and the facilitator. Participants could see and hear each other in real-time whilst in their homes with customised tablets or a desktop computer. The data presented here are based on a program log maintained by the facilitator throughout the implementation phase of the project and post intervention. The VC group experience is influenced by factors including the VC device location, connection processes, meeting times, use of visual aids and test calls. Social presence can be improved by communication protocols and strategies. Robust information technology (IT) support is essential in mitigating technical problems to enhance users’ experience. Group patient education can be delivered by VC into homes of older people. However, careful pre-program planning, training and support should be considered when implementing such programs.

DIE EVALUERING VAN ’N LEESBEVORDERINGSPROJEK: DIE ZOË-VOORLEESPROJEK IN DIE NOORD-KAAP

In view of the dire state of literacy levels in South Africa and the fact that few literacy programmes provide research reports to evaluate best practices and effectivity, this article reports on the evaluation of a literacy project. The project, inspired by two children, is referred to as the Zoë-reading aloud project and targeted children in and around Upington in the Northern Cape, South Africa. The project was set up according to acknowledged reading promotion principles and it was structured to collect detailed data. Qualitative and quantitative data collection methods were used and a selection of methods provided reliability. The findings of the analysis of a collection of data for a period of 15 months revealed the best practices of the project. It highlights, for example, the need for financial assistance and challenges the concept of family literacy in low-literate and poor communities.

Project-based learning not just for STEM anymore

The popularity of project-based learning has been driven in part by a growing number of STEM schools and programs. But STEM subjects are not the only fertile ground for project-based learning (PBL). Social studies and literacy content, too, can be adapted into PBL units to benefit teaching and learning, the authors argue. They review key studies on PBL in social studies and literacy education, two examples of successful social studies/literacy PBL units, and conclude with tips for developing social studies and literacy projects in classrooms.

Can videoconferencing affect older people's engagement and perception of their social support in long-term conditions management: a social network analysis from the Telehealth Literacy Project.

Social support is a key component in managing long-term conditions. As people age in their homes, there is a greater risk of social isolation, which can be ameliorated by informal support networks. This study examined the relationship between changes in social support networks for older people living in a regional area following weekly videoconference groups delivered to the home. Between February and June 2014, we delivered 44 weekly group meetings via videoconference to participants in a regional town in Australia. The meetings provided participants with education and an opportunity to discuss health issues and connect with others in similar circumstances. An uncontrolled, pre-post-test methodology was employed. A social network tool was completed by 45 (87%) participants either pre- or post-intervention, of which 24 (46%) participants completed the tool pre- and post-intervention. In addition, 14 semi-structured interviews and 4 focus groups were conducted. Following the intervention, participants identified increased membership of their social networks, although they did not identify individuals from the weekly videoconference groups. The most important social support networks remained the same pre- and post-intervention namely, health professionals, close family and partners. However, post-intervention participants identified friends and wider family as more important to managing their chronic condition compared to pre-intervention. Participants derived social support, in particular, companionship, emotional and informational support as well as feeling more engaged with life, from the weekly videoconference meetings. Videoconference education groups delivered into the home can provide social support and enhance self-management for older people with chronic conditions. They provide the opportunity to develop a virtual social support network containing new and diverse social connections.

The Italian Health Literacy Project: Insights from the assessment of health literacy skills in Italy

Inadequate health literacy, namely the problematic individual’s ability to navigate the health care system, has been depicted as a silent epidemic affecting a large part of the world population. Inadequate health literacy has been variously found to be a predictor of patient disengagement, inappropriateness of care, increased health care costs, and higher mortality rates. However, to date the evidence on the prevalence of limited health literacy is heterogeneous; moreover, studies dealing with this topic show a pronounced geographical concentration. To contribute in filling these gaps, this paper investigates health literacy skills in Italy. Drawing on the European Health Literacy Survey (HLS-EU), a tool to measure self-perceived levels of health literacy was administered to a representative sample of Italian citizens. A stepwise regression analysis allowed to shed light on the determinants and consequences of limited health literacy. Findings suggested that inadequate health literacy is a prevailing problem in Italy, even though it has been overlooked by both policy makers and health care practitioners. Financial deprivation was found to be a significant predictor of inadequate health literacy. Low health literate patients reported higher hospitalization rates and greater use of health services. As compared with the European Countries, Italy showed some peculiarities in terms of health literacy levels and socio-demographic determinants of health literacy, which provide with intriguing insights for policy making.

Data Literacy projects in Canada: Field notes from the Open Data Institute, Toronto node

Open data is flourishing in Canada, but there are few formalized data literacy initiatives. Civic technology organizations such as the Toronto Node of the Open Data Institute (ODI Toronto), in partnership with public institutions and advocacy groups, are helping to fill the gap in data literacy through workshops and accessible hackathons. These organizations are collaboratively pursuing the goal of ensuring that open data benefits more than just a minority of technologically privileged Canadians.

An innovative model for professional development

This paper considers an innovative model of continuing professional development in addressing the needs of children with literacy difficulties, namely the Special Educational Needs Continuing Professional Development Literacy Project. Stranmillis University College, in partnership with St Mary's University College, Belfast secured £4.06 million over 3 years to enable primary school teachers in Northern Ireland to participate in an online course held in their own school, and for two teachers from each school to attend specialist face‐to‐face seminars taught at Master's level. One teacher from each school had the opportunity to complete two Master's modules and to be assessed for the award of Approved Teacher Status from the British Dyslexia Association. This project is one of the largest professional development projects to be undertaken in Northern Ireland. The project is aligned to two key Department strategies: one is to address the provision for special educational needs in mainstream schools within an inclusive school environment, and the second is to improve outcomes in literacy; a key focus is on early identification of individual needs and appropriately matched intervention. This paper discusses the design and delivery of this continuing professional development programme using this novel integrated model. It considers how this model has facilitated stronger theory‐practice links among practitioners leading to increased confidence and competence in meeting the needs of children with literacy difficulties.

Drawings as imaginative expressions of philosophical ideas in a Grade 2 South African literacy classroom

This article reports on a philosophy for children (P4C) literacy project in a South African foundation phase classroom that introduces an important new focus in the P4C classroom: the visualisation of philosophical ideas provoked by the picture book The Big Ugly Monster and the Little Stone Rabbit (2004) by Chris Wormell, giving voice to young children’s own imaginative ideas and beliefs (in this case about death). This research shows how a particular use of the community of philosophical enquiry pedagogy combined with the making of drawings necessitates a rethinking of what ‘voice’ means. We conclude that the children’s drawings bring something new into existence, thereby offering unique material and discursive opportunities for all children, including those who otherwise might not have expressed their ideas.Keywords: Comprehension; emergent literacy; visual research; community of enquiry; philosophy with children; picturebooks; death; voice; inclusion; participation

A decade of embedding: Where are we now?

Over the last 10 years the higher education sector has undergone a myriad of changes both in student demographics and the influx of international students. With these changes, concerns about the ability of students to meet the English language and academic demands of tertiary study have come to the forefront. This paper reports on a project of embedding academic literacy into nine units across four disciplines, which spanned the duration of a decade. The paper documents the process by which the Unit Support Program (USP) evolved from a discipline-based reading program in a university preparation context to an embedded, integrated and team-taught approach in the university mainstream. It sought to determine whether the introduction of the program improved student learning in the discipline, specifically in English language and academic literacy development. Using data drawn from over 2500 students relating to progression rates, final grades, participation levels, and qualitative data relating to student and staff perceptions, this longitudinal study demonstrated a positive relationship between embedding academic literacy in the disciplines and student learning. The added benefit of academic socialisation for staff is also a reported result of this study. Although significant ongoing institutional support is needed, this paper advocates that an embedded, integrated and team-taught model should be incorporated into the first year of study. Using a case study approach, this paper firstly explains the rationale to embed language and academic literacy development within disciplinary contexts; the framework from which the Unit Specific Model emanated; and the team teaching approach used in the delivery of the Unit Support Program (USP) across a variety of disciplines. It considers the comparative results for both participating and non-participating groups, and the impact of collaboration across the faculty on the success of USP. Finally the paper recommends strategies for the long term sustainability of these programs.

From Affinity and Beyond

Digital technologies make possible new avenues for sharing and accessing literacy research and practices worldwide. Among the myriad of options available, web seminars have become popular online learning venues. The current investigation is part of Global Conversations in Literacy Research (GCLR), a longitudinal and qualitative study now in its fifth year. As a critical literacy project, GCLR investigates how a web seminar project uses developing technologies to disseminate innovative literacy research and present professional development that critically shapes literacy practices. With this in mind, the current study seeks to understand the following: (a) What kinds of knowledge sharing interactions (KSIs) occurred in GCLR web seminars focused on critical literacy? and (b) What types of community and social practices occur in web seminars? Data included synchronous chat transcripts from across seven web seminars, interviews with participants and speakers, and website analytics. Data analysis followed the constant comparative method and R, an open-access software that analyzes both qualitative and quantitative data. The study resulted in two findings: Three types of KSIs emerged: whole group, between individual, and smaller, nested affinity groups; and GCLR emerged as a distinct online community with unique social practices. KSIs generated and supported collaborative opportunities to exchange ideas, co-construct knowledge, offer practical classroom applications, and gain insight about important critical literacy issues. As an online networked space that brings together participants interested in critical literacy issues, GCLR represents an innovative type of situated practice with an aim to develop what we call online Networked Spaces of Praxis (oNSP).

Layering Intermediate and Disciplinary Literacy Work: Lessons Learned From a Secondary Social Studies Teacher Team

AbstractSecondary teachers nationwide are encouraged by the Common Core State Standards and recent research to enact disciplinary literacy instruction. However, little is known about how teachers make sense of teaching disciplinary literacy skills to adolescents. To what extent might adolescents still need the kinds of foundational support provided by what Shanahan and Shanahan called intermediate strategy instruction, or instruction in general reading comprehension strategies? In this article, the authors describe findings from a disciplinary literacy project in which a group of high school social studies teachers (and the authors) discovered that a complex layering of intermediate and disciplinary literacy work was required to meet students’ needs. Implications for teams of teachers wishing to explore this tension and keep their focus on helping students access and communicate content material are shared.

A Novel Tool for Health Literacy: Using Comic Books to Combat Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity remains a serious problem that requires health literacy projects to engage both parents and children in making healthy choices. This paper describes an award-funded project designed by LSU Health Shreveport (LSUHS) faculty from the Health Sciences Library and the Department of Pediatrics who created a comic book to help children and their parents learn practical ways children can make healthier lifestyle choices. LSUHS also collaborated with LSU-Shreveport to recruit a student artist, who illustrated the comic and designed promotional items used to promote the print and online versions of the book throughout the community.

Family Literacy Project

AbstractThe purpose of this article is to describe a family literacy project involving a partnership of school‐aged children and their families with in‐service and pre‐service teachers enrolled in a university course on literacy instruction for English language learners. This project consists of family members sharing their stories with their children to be later transformed into bilingual picture books. This project engaged teachers, families, EL learners, and community members to become partners in students’ literacy development. Teachers engaged students from culturally‐ and linguistically‐diverse backgrounds and their families to produce student‐authored and self‐illustrated bilingual picture books in the classroom setting. In this article, we present the instructional process for teachers who are interested in partnering with families to create bilingual books.

Teaching black history as a racial literacy project

Scholars have long promoted black history as an appropriate space to promote the development of racial literacy. Few research studies, however, have examined how teacher education uses black history as a heuristic to teach about race. Using racial literacy as a framework, this article examined the varied ways four social studies pre-service teachers interpret and taught race through black history. The pre-service teachers were aided by a black history summer reading program dedicated to help them gain the necessary knowledge to teach race through black history. The findings indicated that the pre-service teachers taught race and black history more critical than traditional US history classes but were limited in their presentation of black history and race.