Comments on: 21st Century Confusion

By: MindShare Learning Report

MindShare Learning Report — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 12:56:55 +0000

[...] to see this months issue of Educational Leadership devoted to conversations about literacy and what being literate means in a global, digital space. As I devoured the issue, I reflected on my own literacy [...]

By: Bob from Business Courses

Bob from Business Courses — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 07:29:55 +0000

Literacy is the ability to read, write, speak AND understand context. Whatever form or method is used for learning, be it traditional or with the use of modern technology, it still boils down to language and how it is grasped, expressed and understood.

By: » Digital Literacy – Reading Recovery Conference 2011

» Digital Literacy – Reading Recovery Conference 2011 — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 00:34:57 +0000

[...] Like the monk, many are having difficulty in grasping the concept of new modes, mediums, and technologies. I am so greatful to have a HelpDesk (aka PLN) of my own, that help me work through the process. [...]

By: Charrai Hunter

Charrai Hunter — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 03:36:25 +0000

As an Secondary English teacher of over eight years I have come to discover that literacy goes beyond the simple ability to read and comprehend. I have also discovered that the reason we have so many adults that are functionally illeterate is because educators think that this is an issue that has and needs only to be addressed in the early years of education. Studies show that most American secondary students read below grade level, yet their content texbooks are written two to four grade levels above their current grade. This creates a great problem because although in the generic and broad sense of the term students have the ability to read and comprhend they do not have the literacy skills to grasp “gateway materials”. Gateway materials being things such as standardized test or textbooks. Literacy skills are important because they teach students how to understand and ANALYZE a text.

By: Maria

Maria — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 13:00:58 +0000

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. This is very useful.

By: letter from camp 2.0 « Higher Edison

letter from camp 2.0 « Higher Edison — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:57:42 +0000

[...] sherman | Lo and behold! Just as I was sinking into despair, lamenting that the Great 21st Century Literacy Debate will never reach resolution, I stumbled across this letter from camp [...]

By: dougbelshaw.com/blog » Blog Archive » The problem(s) of 21st century literacy/ies

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 18:37:56 +0000

[...] is defined too broadly, it becomes an umbrella term and of little practical use. Initially, I liked Judi Epcke’s comment that she’d heard Jason Ohler define literacy as “consuming and producing the media forms of [...]

By: The Need for Literacy Skills

The Need for Literacy Skills — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:48:28 +0000

[...] Bretag’s The Great Literacy Debate, Ben Gray’s post 21st century confusion and 21st century clarification. There have been discussions on twitter and plurk and these lead [...]

By: Di Mulvihill

Di Mulvihill — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:24:03 +0000

Hi Ben, Congrats on generating such a vibrant, interesting conversation. I loved your comment about there not being a need to rename the basic idea of excellent literacy instruction as a basis or springboard from which to jump into all the developmental aspects of literacy required for the 21st century.
I also loved Angela Maiers concept of adding the concepts of “collaborating, investigating, and communicating.” I love both concepts because I see that as they meld together they form part of the actual evolutionary learning continuum which could be referred to as “effective literacy”.
I have enjoyed interacting with older teachers during my career and I have watched the concept of literacy emerge as something akin to a rich tapestry ‘rug’ being collaboratively woven over the years, as a result of collaboration, respect and communication, in a never ending quest to prepare our students for the needs of an uncertain future. Innate in this image is a deep respect for the ability older teachers possessed. There is a belief amongst older progressive teachers here in Australia that you ‘never throw the baby out with the bath water’ Therefore we remain open: ever asking ourselves “what is best for the students” ,listening to the “new”, studying it, implementing it, tesing it, evaluating its effectiveness and either adding it to the tapestry or, shelving it until we happen upon a scenario or a group of students who would benefit from that unique method and invariably, this occurs.
As soon as society relegates ‘the past’ or history as ‘obsolete’ the valuable foundations are lost, older teachers lose their confidence and can no longer contribute confidently to the ongoing conversations which add to the collective wealth of experience. Their contributions are ‘lost’. because they are considered by youth as obsolete. How can that be truth? They metaphorically experience having their wonderful tapestry rug pulled out from under them. Lets keep the tapestry growing, valuing whats gone before and respectfully adding and/or subtracting ideas and opinions, methodologies and pedagogy so our options grow ever richer and broader. Its for the good of all really!!

By: laboring for invention « Higher Edison

laboring for invention « Higher Edison — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 18:25:21 +0000

[...] Is there nothing new under the sun? Ben’s question has spawned some excellent discussion here, here, and [...]