11.8 Multimodal Pedagogy in Practice

Multiliteracies Pedagogy in a Torres Strait Islander Classroom

Overview of the Setting

• The discussion begins with an example from a science class in Bamaga, located at the northernmost point of Australia, Cape York.

• The students are primarily Torres Strait Islanders, distinct from Aboriginal peoples, highlighting the cultural context of the classroom.

Language and Writing Practices

• Students use Torres Strait Creole, which is not traditionally a written language; phonetic spelling is employed by teachers to make it intelligible.

• An example sentence illustrates this: "Today is Thursday the 10th of October. The root i go on town," showcasing how phonetic spelling represents their spoken language.

Multimodal Learning Experience

• The lesson incorporates both images and text; for instance, illustrations accompany descriptions of coconut growth processes.

• This approach emphasizes multimodality—students engage with science through visual aids and real-world experiences (e.g., observing coconuts outside), enriching their understanding beyond textual information.