Technologies Challenging Literacy: Hypertext, Community Building, Reflection, and Critical Literacy

This chapter describes how new technologies are challenging the traditional concept of literacy and redefine its meaning. New genres of texts change conceptualizations of literacy development and present new challenges for reading and writing. Important consequences for instruction, especially how teachers and students exploit new forms of literacy to enhance teaching and learning are presented and discussed. A particular emphasis is placed on the role of technology for community building, reflection, and teacher learning. Deconstructing notions of how technology shapes society and the role of critical emotional literacy are also explored.