The transfer and transformation of academic literacy

This chapter investigates the definition of the concept of academic literacy in relation to different approaches to transfer and forms of knowledge. The chapter also develops adequate design principles for supporting students’ development of academic literacy. The first section defines academic literacy as a cultural practice through which students develop their knowledge about how to study. It also outlines the challenges for students entering university. The following three sections analyse different approaches to support learning academic literacy: the study skills model, the academic socialisation model and the academic literacies model. These sections identify transfer mechanisms to support learners in transforming knowledge and points out specific design principles that are relevant in this support. The chapter finally discusses how the presented models of literacy in different ways support students’ transforming and resituating of knowledge across contexts.