Response to O’Brien's Article on “At-Risk” Adolescents: Redefining Competence Through the Multiliteracies of Intermediality, Visual Arts, and Representation”

I found this article inspiring.  The article discussed a student named Dan.  Although at-risk,through literacy comprehension, Dan was given a task using multimedia sources.  Due to technology “leveling the playing field”, Dan developed a multimedia document despite his low development.  I believe, many teachers fear technology will widen the gap between the students documented as at-risk in comparison to regular education students. In this article, the Literacy Lab was set up as a place for at risk students to work with technology and develop project through the use of multimedia text. The lab was hoping to improve the quality of student engagement, self-esteem, and motivation.  Too many times at-risk students are faced with disadvantages.  Any advantage that can be given to these students is worth implementing at schools.