Critical Literacy： Using Picturebooks to Read the World

In this article we develop instructional strategies that promote meaningful student engagement with literature facilitated through the use of picturebooks. A critical pedagogy, whereby learners develop skills such as questioning, critiquing, and inquiring, is necessary in order for students to succeed in the 21st century. Such a pedagogy can be introduced to learners through a critical literacy framework, which encourages learners to recognize and analyze the social constructions present in texts. The literary environment of 21 st century students is saturated not only with print, but also with visual modes of communication. To teach students to think critically about language and texts, teachers must address both print and visual literacy. Using three classroom-tested picturebooks and activities, we show how the multimodal nature ofpicturebooks makes them an excellent resource to facilitate critical literacy. Using picturebooks in conjunction with a critical literacy framework will help develop the literacy skills necessary for students＇ active civic engagement in the 21st century.

China’s Perspectives on the Modern Educational Value of Critical Information Literacy

Critical information literacy is a new and important direction of information literacy education for university students in the new media era.By comparing critical information literacy between China and the West,combining with the research on information literacy education in China in the past 20 years,and based on the three major relationships that Chinese philosophy is concerned about that people need to face in the world of life,i.e.,the individual and the self,the individual and nature,and the individual and the society,this paper defines critical information literacy as that individuals,as information subjects,discover,select,confirm,and evaluate the information they are exposed to by obtaining and discriminating the content elements of the information world(information sources,information,and information assets)and using critical thinking skills and methods,creatively interpret or solve the relevant problems arising from the interaction between individuals and self,individuals and nature,individuals and society,and form the literacy that represents the knowledge,ability,attitude,habit,and level of the information subject through continuous reflection and practice.In order for human beings to better understand the world and construct it responsibly,critical information literacy can play a greater role and educational value.It not only helps contemporary college students build knowledge of“good questioning”and enhance their“reasoning”skills,but also encourages them to maintain a“firm standpoint,”cultivate a habit of“healthy skepticism,”and enhance their“decision-making”skills.

Critical Information Literacy Education Strategies for University Students in the Post-Pandemic Era

The advent of the post-pandemic era,with its risks,uncertainties,and global characteristics,puts forward urgent requirements for the innovation of information literacy education in universities.Critical information literacy has become the top priority of information literacy education.It is urgent to explore diversified and effective critical information literacy education strategies for university students.This paper mainly expounds the educational strategies of critical information literacy,such as original material analysis,reflection,and critical reading.

A Discussion of Artificial Intelligence in Visual Art Education

Since ChatGPT emerged on November 30, 2022, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been increasingly discussed as a radical force that will change our world. People have become used to AI in which such ubiquitous technologies as Siri, Google, and Netflix deploy AI algorithms to answer questions, impart information, and provide recommendations. However, many individuals including originators and backers of AI have recently expressed grave concerns. In this paper, the authors will assess what is occurring with AI in Visual Arts Education, outline positives and negatives, and provide recommendations addressed specifically for teachers working in the field regarding emerging AI usage from kindergarten to grade twelve levels as well as in higher education.

Language, Discourse and Identity： A Case Study of a Chinese University Student Learning English Through the Internet

This paper reports a case study of an EFL student＇s English language learning through the Internet. It draws on a larger longitudinal study of six Chinese university students＇ critical web literacy practices, and focuses on one of the participants, Tao. Using interviews as the primary data source, the study explored how the student engaged in daily online literacy practices, and how he utilized digital media and open resources to learn English autonomously. The findings suggest that the Internet and digital media were his major tools for learning English. Tao＇s web literacy practices were connected to his identity construction and the development of critical thinking skills in the use of both English and Chinese. This paper raises questions about Chinese university students＇ autonomy in their digital literacy development and the learning of English in the digital age of globalization.