Multimodal literacy is the ability to understand, interpret and create communication that uses multiple modes or forms of representation. Conventional literacy concentrates mainly on the written language. In contrast, multimodal literacy recognises that communication takes place in many ways – not only through written text, but also through visuals (such as images and video), sound, spatial configurations, gestures and even silence.
For instance, a text with multiple modes might be a website that combines written words, images, video and interactive elements. Someone who is literate in multimodal communication would be capable of comprehending or interpreting all these modes collectively, recognizing how they work together to convey a message.
In the context of today’s digital age, it’s increasingly important to be multimodally literate because many forms of communication we encounter are multimodal. For example, in today’s media landscape, social media posts, digital ads, video games, and e-learning resources typically combine text, images, sounds, and more.
Therefore, when we talk about children’s literacy in the current media environment, it’s important to consider not only their ability to read and write text, but also their ability to understand and create communication that uses multiple modes.
Enhancing the Quality of Screen Time: Strategies for a Mindful Digital Experience
- Introduction: The Landscape of Screen Time (10 minutes)
- Brief statistics on average screen time globally.
- The potential effects of excessive or unproductive screen time on mental and physical health.
- Screen Time Self-Assessment and Sharing (10 minutes)
- Participants fill out a short worksheet detailing their daily screen-related activities.
- A few volunteers share their screen time habits and its impact on their day-to-day life.
- Segmentation of Screen Time: Productive vs. Passive (10 minutes)
- Productive Screen Time: Engaging in work, learning new skills, attending online classes, or other activities that promote personal growth.
- Passive Screen Time: Mindlessly scrolling through social media, binge-watching without breaks, or activities that aren’t necessarily enriching.
- Group discussion on the proportion of their screen time that falls into each category.
- Strategies for Enhancing Screen Time Quality (20 minutes)
- Curated Content Consumption??: Recommendations for educational platforms, insightful podcasts, or constructive apps.
- Mindful Screen Breaks: The importance of physical activity – stretching exercises participants can do after every 30 minutes of screen time.
- Balanced Tech Lifestyle: Encouraging tech-free meals, setting a digital curfew, or having a tech-free day in a week.
- Hands-on Activity: Creating a ‘Mindful Screen Time Action Plan’ (10 minutes)
- Participants will draft an action plan for the upcoming week incorporating the strategies discussed.
- A worksheet will guide them to allocate time for productive usage, breaks, and non-screen-based activities.
- Sharing, Reflections, and Commitments (5 minutes)
- Participants share key takeaways from their action plans.
- Closing and Q&A (5 minutes)