Classroom

CLASSROOM   When thinking about affinity spaces and affinity groups, it is imperative to determine how these arenas can be used in the classroom. There are many types of spaces used for a plethora of reasons and interests. The [|FanFiction.net] site and I assume many other sites are available that can be used in a positive fashion to increase student literacy. Lankshear and Knobel discuss their idea of literacy as being one of duplicate meanings. Literacy defined as Literacy is that literacy which is "tied directly to life and to //being// in the world" (233) and the greater implications that literacy has to offer. The second outlook refers to litercy with a small "l" and its connefction to the "actual process of reading, writing, viewing, listening, manipulating images and sound, etc.," (233) in its basic form. Affinity spaces such as this one work two-fold as they serve both purposes.  This particular affinity space expands their knowledge of reading and writing as well as tying the literature to life and their place within the world of cyberspace. Obviously, skills related to reading and writing will be improved as they continue to read the works of others and write their own literature to be submitted to the site. The continual revision and editing will hone their skills. As for the (L)iteracy as related to the site, students are able to develop the skills necessary to relate to a cyber community and gather an understanding of life through collaboration as well as how they relate to their particular subject area wtihin this world.