In the 1990’s Allan Luke and Peter Freebody developed The Four Resources Model. This model is regarded as a valuable tool for teachers as it helps teachers make decisions about the teaching strategies they employ in their lessons. However, Luke and Freebody “argue that there is no single ‘right’ method of teaching literacy as different methods simply shape social practices of reading and writing in different ways” (Barratt-Pugh and Rohl, 2000, p.23). Nevertheless, they created this model as they understand that in order for children, teenagers and adults to become effective literacy users that they “need a variety of practices which enable them to break the code of the text…. participate in the meaning of the text… use texts functionally… and critically analyse and transform texts (Barratt-Pugh and Rohl, 2000, p.23).
This is where the four levels of literacy practice gain there name of Code Breaker, Text Participant, Text User and Text Analyst from. All of these have different roles for example the role of Code Breaker is to decode “the codes and conventions of written, spoken and visual texts” (Department of Education, Science and Training, 2002.) This shows that functional literacies are need in this literacy practice as it relates to the style of the text. Whilst the role of Text Participant is to “comprehend written, spoken and visual texts” (Department of Education, Science and Training, 2002). This shows that personal literacies are need in this literacy practice as it relates to the readers own experience, their prior knowledge of the text and their knowledge of similar texts. Hence, influencing the way they view the text.
Whereas, in the role of Text User readers understand “the purposes of different written, spoken and visual texts for cultural and social functions” (Department of Education, Science and Training, 2002). This shows that cultural literacies are need in this literacy practice as the reader needs to understand that different types of texts have been composed for different audiences. Thus, reflecting different cultural experiences or societal expectations. Lastly, the role of Text Analyst is to help readers understand “how texts position readers, viewers and listeners” (Department of Education, Science and Training, 2002). This shows that critical literacies are needed in this literacy practice as not only do readers need to know information about the text, but they will also need to know information about the composer and techniques used by the composer to represent certain views or ideas. As well as how these techniques, views and ideas influence the audience’s perception.
However, it should be noted that “the four resources are, in fact, interactive not discrete resources unconnected from one another there is a good deal of overlap between them. In many cases, the same test or learning task can require students to take up two or more of the same role” (Santoro, 2004, p.53). Nonetheless, my favourite thing about this model is that it can be applied to all levels of schooling.
My literacy memory is functional, as by the teacher explaining to me what direction a ‘b’ went and what way a ‘d’ went I was able to decode the previous mistakes I had made when writing words beginning with these letters, thus improving my writing. The worksheet in which the teacher got me to read out loud also showed me the relationship between spoken sounds and written symbols/ words. As I was able to recognize the sounds in words, identify whole words as well as identify letter and sound interactions. Hence, enabling me to spell accurately. Therefore my memory relates to literacy practice of Code Breaker within The Four Resources Model.
Whereas, in the Literacy Learning Triptych which is another contemporary language development model. My memory relates to the Learning Of which like Code Breaker within The Four Resources Model is a functional approach. As it incorporates the how to of literacy. Nonetheless, Clay (1991) states that what a child writes is a rough indication of how they views printed language. So during the first year of instruction what the child spontaneously writes tends to be a fair reflection of what they have learnt to look at in the detail of the print (p.101). This quote demonstrates the reason I was getting my ‘b’s’ and ‘d’s’ mixed up as at the time I viewed these letters details similar in print.
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