Reinforcing multiliteracies through design activities

Abstract

Now, more than ever, the need to incorporate literacies into instructional strategies is important. As an instructional strategy, design activities bring together available resources to encourage students through the process of constructing new meanings and motivate students to take ownership of the media and content they transform into new creations. Two examples of design activities include digital stories and comic book creation. Digital stories provide a unique outlet for students to find a voice and share their stories with one another. Creating comic books, specifically, draws upon the visual nature of the medium and blends writing activities with design activities. This chapter explores the ideas of design activities and provides general guidance for educators seeking to incorporate design activities as an instructional strategy.