Loading ...Beyond Foundational Literacy and Digital Literacy
Date: August 8, 2011
—A Guest Blog Article in the Discussion Series on Social Innovations in Adult Education
Article by Bobbi Newman
Almost two years ago I came across the term transliteracy for the first time. I discovered it while reading up on the various names and formats of new and emerging 21st century literacies. What is transliteracy? The working definition from Transliteracy Research Group:
Transliteracy is the ability to read, write and interact across a range of platforms, tools and media from signing and orality through handwriting, print, TV, radio and film, to digital social networks.
It is important to note that this term, and the definition for it, did not come from the library or literacy fields. Once you begin reading about new forms of literacy you quickly discover each discipline has their own literacies and theories behind them.
New types of texts and new types of literacies have been emerging over a period of more than 50 years. Many closely interrelated terms describe the new set of competencies required for success in contemporary society. These include terms like information literacy, media literacy, media education, visual literacy, news literacy, health media literacy, and digital literacy, among others. Each term is associated with a particular body of scholarship, practice and intellectual heritage, with some ideas stretching back to the middle of the 20th century and other ideas emerging in the past couple of years. - Renee Hobbs, Digital and Media Literacy: A Plan of Action
Why was I researching literacies beyond the two (foundational and information) that libraries have claimed for years? Because it is increasingly apparent that additional literacies are needed to provide people with the skills they need to be participants in today’s society.
The appeal of transliteracy is that it attempts to be all-inclusive. It is not enough to focus on one type of literacy; we need the ability to move from one literacy to another, to apply crucial thinking, problem solving and analyzation skills across platforms and formats. Many literacies have a particular focus. As Tom Ipri points out:
Basically, transliteracy is concerned with what it means to be literate in the 21st century. It analyzes the relationship between people and technology, most specifically social networking, but is fluid enough to not be tied to any particular technology. It focuses more on the social uses of technology, whatever that technology may be.
Why does an all-inclusive approach to literacy or literacies matter? Take for example FCC’s National Broadband Plan mentioned in previous posts in this series and the challenges in ensuring all Americans have equal opportunity and access to the online world; getting online involves a number of literacies, including (but not limited to): foundational literacy, technology literacy, computer literacy, digital literacy and media literacy. It is clear that we need a wider and more comprehensive approach to literacy, if we do not expand our focus and efforts we will see an ever widening gap between the people who have the skills to understand (read) and create (write) a message (information) and interact using a variety of tools across multiple media and platforms and the ability to apply those skills to new situations and formats, and those who do not.
We need to look beyond foundational literacy and digital literacy to a broader more encompassing approach to literacy, to insure that everyone is prepared and able to be an active engaged participant in 21st century society.
Mentioned:
- “Introducing transliteracy: What does it mean to academic libraries?“, Tom Ipri, College and Research Library News, November 2010
- “Transliteracy: Crossing Divides“. Sue Thomas, Chris Joseph, Jess Laccetti, Bruce Mason, Simon Mills, Simon Perril, Kate Pullinger, First Monday, Volume 12 Number 12 – 3 December 2007
- Digital and Media Literacy: A Plan of Action, Renee Hobbs 2010
- FCC’s National Broadband Plan
Bobbi Newman is a Library Consultant at B. Newman & Associates.
Bobbi is a guest blogger in the guest blog discussion series on Social Innovations in Adult Education. See the full schedule online and participate by posting your comments in the box below.
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