MODULE 1

Traditional Literacies
 Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of this module, you are expected to:

1. define basic concepts related to traditional literacies;

2. give examples of the different literacies;
3. explain the different kinds of functional literacies;
4. give examples of emergent /early literacy;
5. cite theories on the different kinds of literacy; and
6. answer questions and activities related to the topics discussed.
Task No. 1

1. Interview your grandparents or other older

members of your family/community. For
them, what is a literate person?
2. Does this description still apply today?
Support your answer.
 Traditional/Basic literacy
the ability to read the written word to gain
understanding and meaning
Source: https://www.igi-global.com/dictionary/using-video-games-
improve-literacy/37722#:~:text=1., to%20gain%20understanding%20and
%20meaning)
 What is literacy education?

◦Traditionally, it has focused on teaching reading

comprehension, writing and effective communication.

◦However, as modern forms of communication,

collaboration and research shift increasingly to digital
formats, giving way to digital literacy which has become an
important facet of overall literacy education.
 What is Functional Literacy?
 
the capacity of a person to engage in all those activities in which
literacy is required for effective function of his or her group and
community

enables him or her also to continue to use reading, writing and

calculation for his or her own and the community’s development

Source: http://uis.unesco.org/en/glossary-term/functional-literacy
 Functional Literacy
 
refers to the practical skill set needed to read, write,
and do math for real-life purposes, so people can
function effectively in their community (UNESCO)
 Literacy Levels

1) Below Basic Literacy: reading and writing words and

numbers in very simple documents

Examples:
locating easily identifiable information on a chart
 signing a form
 adding a dollar amount to a deposit slip.
 Literacy Levels

2) BasicLiteracy: performing simple skills to

understand short texts

Examples:
 reading a pamphlet
using a TV guide
comparing ticket prices
 Literacy Levels

3) Intermediate Literacy: performing challenging skills to

understand long texts

Examples:
looking up information in a reference book
 summarizing a long article
placing an order and calculating the cost.
 Literacy Levels

4) Proficient Literacy: performing creative and critical

thinking skills to understand dense or complex texts.

Examples: comparing viewpoints in editorials; interpreting

statistical graphs; measuring and calculating the costs of
food items per ounce.
Note:

As we advance from Below Basic to Basic,

Intermediate, and Proficient literacy, we go from
simple tasks to more and more complex skills.
Functional literacy is more than getting a job. It’s also about preserving skills
our whole society needs to function. If we don’t have individuals with
mathematical knowledge, reading and writing skills, or analytical abilities, we
won’t have functioning businesses, governments, or communities.

In other words, we need functional literacy to have a

functional society.
 Kinds of Functional Literacy

 Media  Legal
Religious  Scientific
Financial  Health
Computer  Civic
 Media Literacy

ability to access, evaluate, and create messages through

different types of media

Purpose: to turn people from mass consumers into

thoughtful citizens who aren’t susceptible to propaganda or
advertising.
 Religious Literacy

 is the ability to interpret religious scriptures and

communicate with different faiths

 important for combating fundamentalism (e.g., religious

fanaticism) and prejudice (e.g., Islamophobia)
 Financial Literacy

 the ability to manage finances and make decisions about

money.

 Whether you’re a consumer, a business owner, or a voter,

understanding financial budgets, interest rates, and savings
is an essential life skill.
 Computer Literacy

 the ability to use computers

 can range from basic competency (i.e., using

applications like email and Microsoft Office) to
advanced knowledge (e.g., programming and
computer science)
 Legal Literacy

 the ability to comprehend laws so you are

able to follow policies and legal procedures.
 Scientific Literacy

does not necessarily mean memorizing facts; rather, it’s

knowing how to conduct experiments and identify
evidence that supports or contradicts preconceived beliefs
or hypotheses.
 Health Literacy

 the ability to understand healthcare information,

particularly for making medical decisions or lifestyle
choices about nutrition, exercise, sleep, and other factors
that affect physical and mental well-being.
 Civic Literacy (a.k.a. Civics)

 awareness of how government works as well as

your rights and responsibilities as a citizen and voter.
 Functional Literacy and Technology

Two key points about functional literacy and technology are being emphasized:

1. Functional literacy is primarily about skills or applied knowledge. It’s only

secondarily about facts or subject-matter knowledge. For example, scientific literacy
doesn’t mean you’ve memorized the intricacies of how quantum computers work.
Instead, it means you know how to ask questions and apply methods of verification or
falsification that make such technologies possible.
 Functional Literacy and Technology

2. Functional literacy keeps our high-tech society functioning.

◦ The kinds of functional literacy mentioned are relative to today’s highly complex,
technological society, but that doesn’t make them any less valid. For