Topic 2: Introduction of Key Concepts- Part 1

Weeks 2-3 (Aug. 17-21; Aug. 24-28)

I. What is this lesson about?

This lesson will provide you with an overview of the key concepts in this course in two parts. For this first part, you will know better the
definition of traditional literacy, functional literacy, early or emergent literacy ,and basic literacy and skills. Initially, you will also be
acquainted with the 21st century literacies which will be discussed more thoroughly in the coming sessions.

II. What will you learn?

At the end of this topic, you will be able to:

a. demonstrate content knowledge on the different traditional and 21st century literacies and skills and its application within an/or
across curriculum teaching areas

III. Let’s Try This.

First Impressions
Complete the table below with your own understanding of each term identified. You may write your ideas in 1-2 sentences.

Key Concept My Own Definition

Traditional Literacy These are skills and knowledge that is passed down from the past and some are still used in this present
time.

Functional Literacy This is the ability and knowledge of a person to function effectively.

Early/ Emergent Literacy This literacy is for children who are in the early stage of growth and starting to learn the basic
knowledge and skills.

Basic Literacy and Skills This involves the basic knowledge and skills that a person needs in their day to day lives.

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 Globalization and Multi-cultural This literacy focuses on the ability of a person to view and understand the diverse culture of different
Literacy places.

Social Literacy This is the ability to learn by socializing and communicating with other people.

Media Literacy This involves the ability to understand and use the media to create and receive information.

Financial Literacy This involves the ability to manage and understand financial matters.

Cyber/ Digital Literacy Basic and advance skills in technology falls in this category.

Eco-Literacy This literacy is about the environmental matters and awareness.

Arts and Creativity Literacy Basic and advanced skills in different areas of arts. There are many areas where arts and creativity come
in to place, music, dance and other forms to express the person’s feelings.

IV. Let’s Read!

What is Literacy?

Literacy is indeed a broad and evolving concept. From our activity in the previous part, you can see that there are really many
ways of understanding literacy and there are also many kinds. Let us go over its definitions and categories.

Traditional literacy

Traditionally, when someone is literate, it means that the person can read and write, but given the increasing complexity of the
world and the greater demand for various skills and competencies to meet different challenges, the term has also come to mean “the
ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate and compute, using printed and written materials associated with varying
contexts (Montoya, 2018).
Montoya (2018) also presented definitions from other agencies summarized in this table:

International organization Defining literacy International organization Defining literacy

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 European Literacy Policy Network: European Literacy refers to the ability to read and write at a level whereby
Declaration of the Right to Literacy individuals can effectively understand and use written communication in
all media (print or electronic), including digital literacy.

OECD: Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC) Literacy is understanding, evaluating, using and engaging with written text
to participate in the society, to achieve one's goals and to develop one's
knowledge and potential.

World Bank: Skills Towards Employability and Cognitive skills are defined as the “ability to understand complex ideas, to
Productivity (STEP) adapt effectively to the environment, to learn from experience, to engage
in various forms of reasoning, to overcome obstacles by taking thought”

Note the similarities and differences in the meanings provided by these organizations.

Functional Literacy

In the Philippines, when the Basic Education Curriculum (BEC) was implemented from 2001-2011, the Department of Education
(DepEd) promoted functional literacy which included language fluency, scientific competence and numerical competence (Bilbao et al.,
2015). This is also similar to how UNESCO described a functionally literate person who, accordingly, can “engage in all those activities
in which literacy is required for effective function of his or her group and community and also for enabling him or her to continue to use
reading, writing and calculation for his or her own and the community’s development” (UNESCO Institute of Statistics, 2020).

Early/ Emergent Literacy

Early or emergent literacy is determined by identifying behaviors among children indicating their readiness for reading and
writing before they are even taught how to read and write (Ghoting & Martin-Diaz, 2006 as cited in Early literacy: Frequently asked
questions, n.d.). Developmental psychology and early childhood educators provide a checklist of expectations for children from infancy
(age 0) until the kindergarten age of which parents and teachers should be mindful. We will talk about them more thoroughly when we
discuss teaching strategies that promote the different literacies.

21st Century Literacies

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 Great changes have occurred in the way we live and because of these, we are all expected to adapt by developing the new
literacies as shown in this illustration:

Source: http://iflex.innotech.org/GURO21/module1/l1_25.html

The table, lifted from the online module on 21st century teaching and learning offered by SEAMEO Innotech, presents an
overview of these literacies which we will also discuss more deeply in the next sessions:

21st Century Literacies Description

1. The Arts and Creativity This literacy can be manifested in creative ways of problem-solving and expressed through
the production of various art works. Teachers and students need to be more adept in the arts
and manifest creativity in various activities.

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 2. Ecoliteracy This entails acquiring knowledge about climate change, pollution, loss of natural habitats and
biodiversity as well as the impacts of environmental problems on human lives. Moreover,
solutions on how these environmental problems could be addressed must also be practiced.
Teachers and students need to develop awareness of the environment.

3. Cyberliteracy/Digital Literacy This competency is based on the reality that societies and workplaces have now become more
(Information and ICT information-driven. Workplaces of the 21st century rely heavily on electronic (digital) forms
Knowledge) of data storage and management as well as in the area of communications. Teachers and
students need to develop familiarity and skills in the use of computers, the internet and other
information technologies.

4. Financial Literacy Teachers and students are expected to be knowledgeable about the basics of economics and
financial management. This way, you as a teacher, can extend the skill into livelihood
activities, entrepreneurship, and wise handling of personal finances.

5. Media Literacy Teachers and students are expected to be knowledgeable and skilled in the area of
communications particularly the media. Teachers and students must learn how to discern
news and information based on the form and content as to how this information are
transmitted via various forms of media.

6. Social/Emotional Literacies You and your students need to acquire social skills that are attuned to the norms of your
current society. Emotional intelligence must also be developed to be able to effectively
manage the stresses of a fast-paced 21st century society.

7. Globalization and You and your students need to develop a culture of respect for cultural diversity. There is
Multicultural Literacy value in having a perspective as a global citizen whose local actions can have an impact on
the wider global arena. You also have to understand how world events may also affect you
and your community at the local level.

Source: http://iflex.innotech.org/GURO21/module1/l1_25.html
V. Let’s Try This!

Now that you know the varied definitions of literacy and you are aware of the 21st century literacies that we need to understand and
possess, let us do a self-check. Please check (/) the response that applies to you regarding each literacy.

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 21st Century Literacies I do not have this literacy yet. I have some literacy in this area My literacy in this area is well-
but still need improvement. developed.

The Arts and Creativity /

Ecoliteracy /

Cyberliteracy /

Financial Literacy /

Media Literacy /

Social/Emotional Literacy /

Globalization and Multicultural /

Literacy

Source: http://iflex.innotech.org/GURO21/module1/l1_25.html
Feedback

We are just beginning with the course, and you have learned a lot about the most important concept which is literacy. Also, you were
able to evaluate the 21st centuries that you already have and those that you still need to work on. Keep the result of the self-check in mind and
answer the activity again at the end of the semester to track the changes. Remember that as teachers and citizens of the 21st century, we, too,
must possess these literacies if we really want to be effective in promoting them and in meeting the challenges of the times.

VI. Let’s Reflect.

Of the varied definitions and kinds of literacies you have learned in this session, what is/are the most significant to you? Why? Please answer the
questions in 5-10 sentences only.

Cyberliteracy/Digital Literacy (Information and ICT Knowledge) have the most significant impact to me because of the importance
of technology in today’s time. I started involving myself to technologies through games and was interested in learning more about these gadgets
their uses in our daily lives. Technology is all around us, from cellphones to computers, to kitchen gadgets and many more. There is so much
information both false and true and we need knowledge about how to effectively distinguish which is reliable and which is not. Knowledge

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 about ICT is crucial in our era, almost every time we are encountering and dealing with technologies so we have to be ready in facing these
situations.

Reminder: Please submit this module fully accomplished on or before August 28 via Google classroom. It can be in doc/ docx. form, PDF,
screenshots, or the answers may be neatly handwritten and captured via photo.

References

Bilbao, Purita P. et. al. (2015). The teaching profession, 3rd Ed., Metro Manila: Lorimar Publishing Co. Inc.
Early literacy: Frequently asked questions. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.bcpl.org/docs/ys/early-literacy-faq.pdf
Montoya, S. (2018 October 17-18). Defining literacy. GAML Fifth Meeting. Hamburg, Germany: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved from
http://gaml.uis.unesco.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/12/4.6.1_07_4.6-defining-literacy.pdf
SEAMEO Innotech. (2012). Course 1: Facilitating the development of 21st century skills for Southeast Asian teachers. Gearing Up Responsible
and Outstanding Teachers in Southeast Asia for the 21st Century [Guro21]. Retrieved from
http://iflex.innotech.org/GURO21/module1/l1_26.html
UNESCO Institute for Statistics. (2020). Functional literacy. Retrieved from http://uis.unesco.org/en/glossary-term/functional-literacy

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