Literacy in the 21st Century

Traditional Literacy Literacy in Education Modern Literacy Has literacy been cheapened? Why has it been cheapened? Literacy in the classroom What can teachers do? References

Traditional Literacy

In the past literacy has been used in formal:

CommunicationEducationNewsMediaDocumentsJournals

Literacy in Education

Outdated literacy is still used in education. While traditional literacy is valued teachers must make way for a modern language. This language has emerged through 21st Century technology. How is it different from traditional English?

Modern Literacy

The use of technology has inspired ‘modern literacy’. We are only discovering the use and grammar in this language (Moodle, 2011). This language is instantaneous, abbreviated, and used to present key messages. The modern generation uses this to communicate quick messages and ideas. Unnecessary information is cut short.

Has literacy been cheapened?

It is a difficult questions to answer. Many would agree, but consider:

What makes today’s literacy ‘cheap’?

By what means do we judge the value of something?

Are we too traditional in our thinking?

Why has it been cheapened?

Today our society and networking has been changed. Traditional literacy no longer serves its purpose except in entertainment and history. If this is so we need a language that serves our purpose.

So why not embrace new ideas and communication if this is what is being demanded given our technologically advanced and complex lifestyle.

Literacy in the classroom

To work in today’s knowledge based economy students must be educated in the times. They must be skilled in using language that

Communicates clear messages Promotes creativity Can be used flexibly Can be used in technology

What should teachers do?

Teachers should seek to embedded modern literacy and communication in classroom practices. This prepares students for work in the ‘knowledge economy’. Children are creating this ‘modern literacy’ in their ICT and social learning (Moodle, 2011). Teachers should seek to know this language and support it.

How can Teachers support this?

Students can create podcasts. Students can use images to support

literacy (Moodle, 2011) Students can write essays using creative

language and expressions. Teachers should use a variety of

assessment. Assessment should not focus on academic skills.

Teachers should look for innovation and new skills in performance.

Tradtional literacy vs modern literacy

As much as modern literacy is needed teachers can still incorporate traditional literacy as a form of art. Children should value literacy for its history. On this foundation can they really appreciate and observe the new possibilities modern literacy holds. Modern literacy is not just about words but being able to use many tools and media to support and integrate with words. This is what creates effective communication.

References http://archive.nmc.org/pdf/Global_Imperative.pdf http://archive.nmc.org/summit/New_Literacies.pdf http://archive.nmc.org/summit/New_Literacies.pdf http://moodle.cqu.edu.au/mod/resource/view.php?id=156839 http://education.qld.gov.au/publication/production/reports/pdfs/creativewforce.pdf http://

www.pz.harvard.edu/vt/visibleThinking_html_files/03_ThinkingRoutines/03c_Core_routines/SeeThinkWonder/SeeThinkWonder_Routine.html 

http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/675 http://www.jiscdigitalmedia.ac.uk/stillimages/advice/practical-ways-to-use-digital-i

mages-in-teaching-and-learning/