The Four Resources Model (DETE, 2004)
Due to the continual change and advancement of technology, the Four Resources Model was developed to incorporate the subsequent need to extend students’ reading abilities to encompass such change and to promote successful readers in all areas of literacy, both currently and into the future. The Four Resources Model has been created with the view to enabling effecting teaching, and learning and assessment needs to be met across the diversity of the school environment. It encompasses the ability to develop students’ literacy skills enabling competence to analyse tasks, problem solve, identify resources and self-monitor in real-life contexts.
The Four Resources Model incorporates the four resources of ‘Code Breaker’, ‘Text User’, ‘Text Analyst’, and ‘Meaning Maker’ to encourage a systematic and balanced reading program that assists teaching reading. This Model aids the teaching of reading through focusing on the practices of reading and on the resources readers need to engage in these practices; recognising that reading occurs in all aspects of life and teaching the ability to read is the fundamental responsibility of all teachers; enabling a balanced reading program to be developed that is adaptable with regard to advancement and changes within technology and society; and providing the ability to develop a reading program that incorporates the needs of the diverse student population, including students with learning difficulties, and its community.
In implementing a reading program using the Four Resources Model, it is necessary to consider three important facts relating to the Model – the Model consists of four reading practices and this is not a hierarchy; it is uncommon for readers to use the resources independently; and each of the four resources should be used throughout all areas of the curriculum in all year levels. It is also essential to ensure reading programs are connected to, and embedded in, real-life reading practices; balanced to ensure each of the four resources are understood and acquired by students; and adaptable with regard to incorporating diversity within society and changes and advancements of both society and technology.
The following table, adapted from the Learning Place (DETE, 2004), outlines and gives a brief description of each of the four resources.
The Four Resources Model - Table Form.docx (102390)
The table below, also sourced from the Learning Place (DETE, 2004), provides a more detailed explanation of the four resources.
