https://www.coursera.org/learn/multimodal-literacies/discussions/all/threads/a6sS6uFHEea2qRKcPRH8eA/replies/ucQg8-WIEeaOJwr5wT2zdA

The cartoon above is, in my opinion, a typical example of the implications of multimodal literacy. It was presented by a friend during last years summer course and it brought up a lot of discussions. The first point I´d like to bring up is as of interpretation. There is only on word written and it´s clearly uttered by a refugee arriving at the border of the European Union. Nevertheless, the images related to it add up a whole bunch of other information which will allow infinite interpretations. There are many aspects to be taken into account. One is the fact that there is a construction of "paradise" in most religions. There is also a construction of "paradise" (at least in the Western world) of a place free of worries and where one can relax. Maybe a place where one could have vacations.

The consruction of meaning as well as the amplitude of understanding will vary according to whom is reading. The implications of multiple interpretations are many as we have seen an increase in these kinds of texts. Social media allows people to become writers and creators of multimodal texts and we are much more exposed to a greater variety of genres.

I don´t believe in a closed interpretation, but feel we must raise an awareness as of the texts we write, read and share. What might be funny for one can be insulting for another. What might be common ground for one community may be a complete sin for another.

In Brazil, we use cartoons and comic strips as tools for teaching reading, bur I´ve seen many ending up using it for teaching structure, ignoring the many meanings that might be lifted from a multimodal text. My final question is:

How to teach critical reading in an ethical way, respecting multiple interpretations and supporting growth?