Introduction to the 21st Century Literacy

Summary

In this educational module, the speaker introduces the concept of 21st-century literacy, exploring traditional literacy, expanded views, and the new literacies required in modern education. Traditional literacy is explained as reading and writing, while expanded literacy encompasses knowledge and communication skills. The speaker discusses new communication technologies, their impact on education, and how they create the need for digital and media literacy. Key topics for the course include multicultural literacy, social and financial literacy, and the importance of critical thinking. The session concludes with interactive group activities and supplementary resources.

Takeaways

• 📚 The course introduces 21st-century literacy with a focus on traditional, expanded, and 21st-century literacies.
• ✍️ Literacy is conventionally defined as the ability to read and write, with roots in the Latin word 'literatus', which means a person marked with letters.
• 🔡 There are three subcategories of conventional literacy: basic literacy (decoding written materials), comprehension literacy (understanding meaning), and functional literacy (applying reading skills in daily tasks).
• 📖 Reading requires both text and meaning; without comprehension, true reading has not occurred.
• 🌸 Literacy has evolved to include non-verbal forms of communication, like the 'language of flowers' in the Victorian era, demonstrating that communication isn’t limited to written or spoken language.
• 🌐 The new literacies of the 21st century involve interpreting information from various sources and being critical of its accuracy, validity, and reliability.
• 💻 21st-century literacies emphasize increased reach, speed, and breadth of communication, especially through digital and media channels.
• 🌍 The course covers various literacy types, including globalization and multicultural literacy, which require new skills for interacting with diverse cultures in real-time.
• 💬 Other forms of literacy include media, social, financial, and digital literacies, focusing on managing and navigating online information and networks.
• 🎨 The final part of the course focuses on critical literacy, which involves discerning hidden messages in texts and understanding competing ideologies in a multicultural society.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the first module in the course?

The first module focuses on 'Building and Enhancing New Literacies Across the Curriculum,' with three main topics: traditional or conventional literacy, expanded views on literacy, and literacy in the 21st century.

How is 'traditional or conventional literacy' defined?

Traditional or conventional literacy is defined as the ability to read and write. It stems from the word 'literate,' which comes from the Latin 'literatus,' meaning a person marked with letters, indicating someone cultured and educated.

What are the three subcategories of literacy mentioned by Miller?

Miller categorizes literacy into three subcategories: basic literacy (ability to correspond visual shapes to spoken sounds), comprehension literacy (ability to understand the meaning of what is being read), and functional and practical literacy (ability to read, decode, and comprehend materials necessary for everyday tasks).

What are the two key elements required for reading to exist?

The two elements required for reading to exist are a text (which consists of symbols and grammar) and a meaning or message (communicated by the text for the reader to extract). Without these, reading cannot take place.

What is functional literacy according to Scaletti?

Functional literacy is the ability to read, but not well enough to manage daily living and employment tasks that require reading skills beyond a basic level.

How has the concept of literacy evolved in modern times according to various scholars?

In modern times, literacy is viewed as knowledge, competence, and skills in specific fields. UNESCO (2006), Barton (2007), and others support this broader definition, acknowledging that literacy now extends beyond reading and writing to encompass knowledge in various domains.

What are the three critical factors that have led to the rise of new literacies in the 21st century?

The three critical factors are: increased reach (communicating with more people across distances), increased means of communication (more ways to communicate at faster speeds), and increased breadth of content (communicating about more topics than before).

What is the significance of the language of flowers in relation to literacy?

The language of flowers in the Victorian era demonstrates visual literacy, where people communicated through flower arrangements. Successfully interpreting these messages required literacy skills similar to reading and understanding texts, showcasing an early form of non-verbal literacy.

Why is literacy in media and digital communication important in the 21st century?

Literacy in media and digital communication is crucial because it helps individuals locate, verify, and manage information in an age where personal and career success often depend on effectively using online information to solve real-world problems.

How does globalization and multicultural literacy impact 21st-century communication?

Globalization and multicultural literacy impact 21st-century communication by requiring new skills and attitudes to interact with people from diverse cultures, perspectives, and worldviews, highlighting the need for more inclusive and adaptable forms of communication.