Thursday, 10 October 2013

About Literacy

What is it ?
According to UNESCO (2013), literacy refers to the ability to identify, think, understand, interpret, create, communicate and compute of using visual connections and/or printed and written materials associated with varying contexts.


From a similar perspective, the ACT Government (2013) cited MCEETYA’s definition of Literacy:

Literacy is the ability to read and write; and use written information to write appropriately in a range of contexts. It also involves the integration of speaking, listening, viewing and critical thinking with reading and writing, and includes the cultural knowledge which enables a speaker, writer or reader to recognise and use language appropriate to different social situations.

Why does Literacy matter ?
UNESCO affirms that

Literacy is a fundamental human right and the foundation for lifelong learning. It is fully essential to social and human development in its ability to transform lives. For individuals, families, and societies alike, it is an instrument of empowerment to improve one’s health, one’s income, and one’s relationship with the world.

Illustrating, proving, practising, and presenting skills in: Reading texts, verbal/visual/written communications, working with others, technology use, thinking and continuous learning.

Types of Literacy

Functional literacy
(Emotional/ Financial/ Physical/ Spiritual Literacy)
The level of literacy required to get along successfully on a day-to-day basis
Cultural Literacy
The ability to understand and appreciate the similarities and differences in the customs, values, and beliefs of one's own culture, and the cultures of others.
Multicultural Literacy
Knowledge of cultures and languages, as well as the ways in which multi-sensory data (text, sound, and graphics) may introduce slant, perspective, and bias into language, subject matter, and visual content.
Information Literacy
The ability to know when there is a need for information, to be able to identify, locate, evaluate, and effectively use that information for the issue or problem at hand.
Media Literacy
An informed, critical understanding of the mass media
Multi-literacy
Knowing how to read, write, understand, think, and communicate in two or more languages
Visual Literacy
The ability to understand and produce visual messages
Computer Literacy
The ability to use a computer and its software to accomplish practical tasks
Key Learning Area (KLA)Literacy
A mastery of the basic symbols and processes of terminologies in this KLA
For example:
Mathematical Literacy refers to a mastery of the basic symbols and processes of arithmetic.
Technological and Digital literacy
The ability to use new media such as the Internet to access and communicate information effectively; and  involving the new tools of hypertext, multimedia and electronic forms of synchronous and asynchronous communication
Business Literacy
Understanding the interdependence among people and nations and having the ability to interact and collaborate successfully across cultures and businesses
Multidimensional Literacy
Knowing how to read, write, understand, think, and communicate in multi KLAs


UNESCO (2013). Education-Literacy. Retrieved 10 October 2013 from
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/education-building-blocks/literacy/

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