USING COMICS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS IN SCHOOL AND LIBRARIES TO PROMOTE LITERACIES

Abstract

The majorities of comics and graphic novels readers are children and teenagers. Living in the society dominated by printed and electronic media, there is a huge demand for a variety of information sources ranging from films, television shows, magazines and the Internet. Exposures from these sources also affect the learning process in school and classroom. Apart from films, the dynamic style and presentation with infused visual storytelling in comics and graphic novel are making these medium much more interesting than textbooks. Using comics and graphic novels in schools and libraries will help to encourage the undeveloped and special needs students to get into reading and promote literacies. Although comics are always being associated with humor, heavier themes and genre (such as humanity, fiction, fantasy, religion and history) contents can also be delivered in much simpler and interesting way with this medium. Involvement and continuous support from the comic industry (Comic artist and cartoonist, publisher), academic institution (schools, libraries, researchers, universities) together with the government is crucial in realizing these efforts. This paper will look forward into the potential collaborative roles, functions and awareness of using comics and graphic novels as teaching and learning aid in the classroom and library.