LESSON 1

INTRODUCTION TO 21st CENTURY LITERACIES

LITERACY- is defined by dictionaries as the state of being able to read and write
(being Literate).
The word “LITERACY” stems from the word “Literate”
TRADITIONAL or CONVENTIONAL LITERACY
It was first appeared in the 15th Century and is in turn derived from the latin word
LITTERATUS, meaning “ ( a person) marked with letters”
To distinguished or identified by letters.
And it carried with it the idea that such a person was cultured that educated.

Since the subjects of the time (e.g., grammar, logic, arithmetic, geometry, etc.)
All had written texts ( which composed of letters)
That had studied, the ability to read and write.
Was therefore of prime importance.
Leading to the strong association of being “literate” with the ability to read and
write.

Miller (1973) divides conventional concept of literacy into three sub-categories:

1.BASIC LITERACY- the ability to correspond visual shapes to spoken sounds in

order to decode written materials and translate them into oral language. It is the
ability to recognize letters and words. Even without understanding what it means.
Example: “b-a-s-a”
2.COMPREHENSION LITERACY- it is the ability to understand the meaning of
what is being read.
Example: BASA- means to be read or to be wet.

3. FUNCTIONAL OR PRACTICAL LITERACY- it is the ability to read with

decoding and comprehension.
Example: Written materials needed to perform everyday vocational tasks.
This is equivalent of reading the text “Ang bata ay nagbabasa.” and being able to
understand that BASA here refers to reading and not to being wet.
In 2004, (UNESCO) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization.
Formally defined literacy as:
The ability to identify, interpret, create, communicate and compute.
Using printed and written materials associated with varying contexts.
(UNESCO, 2006) –Acknowledging that literacy as a concept has proven to be
complex and dynamic.
It being continually defined and interpreted in multiple ways.

Literacy involves in 21st Century……

1. A continuum of learning in enabling individuals to achieve their goals.
2. To develop their knowledge and potential and
3. To participate fully in their community and wider society.

This shift in the definition of literacy from “reading and writing” to

“KNOWLEDGE” is especially important as we explore the “New Literacies” of
the 21st century that seem far-removed from the contexts upon conventional
literacy is based.

Expanded views of Literacy in the 21st Century

New Literacies arose from increasing availability of communication technologies

that were once unavailable to the average individual. Technologies like vlogging,
social networking and even text-messaging change and expand both the extend and
the form of our communication-blended text, sound and images.

Three things have been critical in the rise of the New Literacies

1. INCREASED REACH- we are communicating with more people, from more

diverse cultures, across vaster distances than ever before.
2. INCREASED MEANS OF COMMUNICATION- we are communicating in
more ways and at faster speeds than ever before.
3. INCREASED BREADTH OF CONTENT- we are communicating about more
things than ever before.

1. Globalization & Multicultural Literacy

2. Social Literacy
3. Financial Literacy
4. Media, Cyber and digital Literacy
5. Ecological Literacy
6. Artistic & Creative Literacy
7. Critical Literacy.

LESSON 2
GLOBALIZATION, CULTURAL & MULTICULTURAL LITERACY

Globalization – is the process of interaction & integration between people,

business entities, governments and culture from one nation, driven by international
trade and investment and supported by information technology.

Cultural Literacy – is the knowledge and understanding of the life of a culture

point where one can fluently participate in the activities of the said culture. This
includes, but is not limited to, its languages, traditions, values, beliefs, forms of
entertainment and worldviews.

Multicultural Literacy – is the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure that any
communication with a culture different from our own is clear, productive, and
respectful such that their differences are celebrated and neither culture is demeaned
or treated as interior.

Skills & Knowledge required to Multicultural Literacy

1. Selflessness
2. Knowledge that good and useful things can or do come from those different
from us.
3. Willingness to compromise
4. Acceptance are that there limits; and
5. Idea that we cannot be friends with everyone.

The issues in teaching and learning multicultural literacy in the Philippines are the
nationalistic/regionalistic pushback, the persistence of the problem and the
question of value.

LESSON 3
SOCIAL LITERACY

It concerns itself with the development of social skills, knowledge and positive
human values that enable human beings to act positively and responsibly in range
of complex social settings.

Social skills range from the ability to initiate, maintain and end a conversation to
reading social signals to more complex skills such as solving problems and
resolving conflict.

The modern age calls for young professionals to develop situational awareness and
social intelligence in both technological and traditional communication to succeed
in their academic and career endeavours.

Peers and schools play a formative role on the social skill development of children.

There are several types of social skills that must be mastered for a child to be
socially adapt

1. Greetings- the first step in a social interaction is greeting someone.

2. Initiating conversation- a child must be able to initiate, maintain and close
conversation appropriately.
3. Understanding listener- it is important to understand the audience one is talking
to.
4. Empathizing- one is able to feel what other person feels.
5. Reading social cues- cues are the hints and signals that guides us to the next
thing to say or do.
6. Previewing and planning- “think before you speak” and refections of what you
have said.
7. Problem-solving- problems and conflict are often a part of social interactions.
Turning conflict to “win-lose” situation to a “win-win” situation is the best way to
resolve conflict.
8. Apologizing- a person with good social skills are confident enough to make a
sincere apology for their error.

Role of parents and teachers in teaching social skills to children.

Parent/s – can directly teach social skills by modelling, role playing and providing
opportunities for their child to rehearse and practice new skills.

Teacher/s- school/classroom is the place where children spend the majority of their
time with peers.

It is therefore, a natural & perfect setting for children to learn and practice social
skills.

Social influence must foster and grow.

Children nowadays, are…

- Situational awareness in the workplace.

- Social intelligence in technological communication
- Social intelligence in traditional communication