Multimodal Literacy

New Dimensions of Group Literacy Tests for Schools: Multimodal reading comprehension in conventional and computer-based formats

Chief Investigators: Prof L Unsworth; Ms P Hutton; Dr GR Barnes

Administering Institution: The University of New England

Partner Organisation: NSW Dept of Education and Training

Summary
Today's texts require readers to comprehend information from an extensive range of images integrated with print material.  No assessment currently exists to test what new reading strategies students require to interpret the meanings made jointly through images and print in contemporary texts. To address this problem, this research will develop a model of image/text relations.  Such a model is foundational to the development of effective assessment tools, particularly group tests.  For the first time, such tests will incorporate the comprehension strategies that students require to understand conventional and computer-based texts with their increased integration of images and print.