Re: A Philosophical Question

["Renee" <renee_baxter@hotmail.com>]

Hi Melody, 

 

I'd say that literacy for the 21st century has to recognize that student
reading encompasses non-traditional forms of reading, such as Internet, IM,
gaming magazines, sports magazines, newspapers, etc.  The reading students
need to tackle has to be relevant to their lives in order for them to see
the importance in what their reading. They must also posses the ability to
read critically as the technological demands continue to grow in the labor
markets.  Of course there is always the need to expand the types of reading
students do and the frequency of reading throughout their lives.

 

I'd say the skills that students need to help them succeed are: critical
analysis skills, ability to think for themselves and weigh all the evidence
presented and draw accurate conclusions, and the ability to ask questions
when they don't understand.  I read a phrase somewhere that said, students
need to "mentally interact" with text and become conscious readers.
Students should also posses the basic skills that will help them succeed in
college or a professional career, like eye contact, how to answer a phone,
how to dress appropriately, etc.

 

Last year I read a study by the Carnegie Corporation called First Read (or
something like that) that spoke to many issues related to 21st century
literacy skills. Good luck with your project.

 

Renee Baxter

 

  _____  

From: middle-lit-owner@interversity.org
[mailto:middle-lit-owner@interversity.org] On Behalf Of Melody Frese
Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2006 9:32 PM
To: middle-lit@interversity.org
Subject: [middle-lit] A Philosophical Question

 

I am taking a course in Visual Communication and was asked to interview
other teachers about the following two questions:

What does literacy mean in the 21st century?

--and--

What skills should be taught to the next generation of students?

Thanks for your thoughts on this.

Melody Frese