Effective Literacy Website Exploration #3: Literal by Maricon Reyes

Maricon Reyes

Ed638-40 Fall Intersession 2020

Dr. M.Rivera

IRA Newsletter Weekly Project: Effective Literacy Website #3: Literal

Literal (https://literalapp.com/) is a reading platform for grades 6-12 that has a huge collection of books ranging from classic literature to modern fiction. It is available on both the web and through Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, and Chrome. Literal is not a free platform. Monthly subscription ranges from $2 per month for teachers, $5per months for access to classics and $15 per month to access both classics and bestsellers. This platform has few interesting features such as the stylish design and modern reframing that aims to appeal and have students get interested in classic literature stories. A unique feature of Literal is its format which resembles social media chats. From the dialogue, narration, and even set direction are in bubbles in the text chat. Each text is broken down into chunks which helps clearly show when each character or cast is speaking. Next to the small bubbles in the text chat are the characters or cast images. Readers have the option to automatically set it up at the desired reading pace or may scroll through the chat. Each book has its own reinvented/rethemed cast but readers may opt to create their own cast. As a reading platform, Literal has built-in tools such as the dictionary and translation to assist students in dealing with challenging texts.

There are multiple ways of how teachers can use Literal in their instruction. Teachers can create groups, select and assign books for students to read, and check progress. Groups may be in small literature circles or as a whole class that text will be assign. The teacher may also add a selection of text that may be used for silent reading time.

Since Literal is also a great library, students have access to a large collection of books. Students may read for pleasure, create custom casts for books, tune in casts to various themes, settings, cultures, and/or identities, and share it with class. Literal is impactful. Allowing students to perform these tasks gives them the opportunity to take ownership of their reading time by rethinking and reinventing the story. Through these processes, students are able to connect themselves to the great works of literature and develop an appreciation for classics. Literal can also help students to become actual writers. Students can publish work on the platform and share it with other users using the same text format with chosen images for characters.

Literal is one of the newest literacy websites and there’s room for improvement to include the format of text and refining group functionality for ease of use such as easier deletion of groups, for teachers to have a whole-class group that could be broken down into reading groups.

Below are some of the images as guides to navigate the platform.

Add books for groups to read