Sunday, January 25, 2009
The question "What is literacy?" crossed my mind just like many others on my first encounter with the word. My consultation of the dictionary gave me the following definition:
lit‧e‧ra‧cy
[uncountable]
[uncountable]And so, my definition of literacy has always been simply to know how to read and write until recently when I embarked on this module of multiliteracy. After reading Sylvia Scribner's article on "Literacy in Three Metaphor", I agree with her that "literacy" is something that cannot have a single, universal definition and any attempt to define it will definitely evoke disagreements from others. Being able to read and write is "a means to an end and not an end within themselves." Therefore as teachers, we should allow the new 'literacy' to act as a tool to enable our students to carry out effective communication of information.
So what exactly is "literacy"?
Due to the tricky nature of the word, Scribner did not choose to define the word but instead, she opted to provide certain parameters that are important in assessing what defines literacy for different people in this modern society due to differing views about the social purposes and values of literacy.
3 metaphorical analysis have been done by Scribner in an effort to suggest some current views of the meanings of literacy and the underlying assumptions that each metaphor has on the social facts of the society.
Literacy as Adaptation
This metaphor suggests that literacy is needed for functional reasons like performing everyday tasks. Such an analysis of literacy suggests it to be a necessity to the lives of people and a lack of literacy would mean that people will not be able to function in their community or society.
Literacy as a State of Grace
A literate person tends to be associated with positive traits and is able to engage in higher order thinking and learning. More importantly, literacy will have a self-enhancing effect on the individuals that aids in developing their minds. Similar to the previous metaphor, there is a great divide between the literates and the illiterates.
What can we take away from Scribner's views on "literacy"?
Literacy:
We should learn to accept the multifarious nature of literacy in order to adapt to the diversity of this changing society, allow our students to be socially empowered by the knowledge that literacy brings and open them up for self-enhancements in their journeys to getting literate.
So what exactly is "literacy"?
Due to the tricky nature of the word, Scribner did not choose to define the word but instead, she opted to provide certain parameters that are important in assessing what defines literacy for different people in this modern society due to differing views about the social purposes and values of literacy.
3 metaphorical analysis have been done by Scribner in an effort to suggest some current views of the meanings of literacy and the underlying assumptions that each metaphor has on the social facts of the society.
Literacy as Adaptation
This metaphor suggests that literacy is needed for functional reasons like performing everyday tasks. Such an analysis of literacy suggests it to be a necessity to the lives of people and a lack of literacy would mean that people will not be able to function in their community or society.
With reference to Singapore's context, this metaphor seems to echo our government's national ideology --> National survival, which is why the Compulsory Education Act was passed in 2000 to make sure that Singaporeans have a minimum primary education to handle the basic functions in their future school and work life. The adaptation function can be seen from MOE's Intermediate Outcomes of Education (Primary), "be able to think for and express themselves".
However, one will have to note that this functional approach is probably not the best definition as "the standards of functional competency will definitely change with time" and these standards will need to be considered with respect to tomorrow's requirements, not today.
Literacy as Power
With the changing needs of the people, the Singapore government shifted its focus to more pragmatic approaches --> literacy as an economic resource, such that the educated population can ensure the prosperity and survival of Singapore. This suggests that only the literate people will be able to wield power and advance in the society.
This is illustrated in MOE's Intermediate Outcomes of Education, which shows a steady progression in the expectations of students, from "love Singapore" (Primary Schools) to "understand what it takes to lead Singapore" (Junior College). With reference to today's context, the ability to understand the language of technology is an important prerequisite to succeeding in the work life.
However, one will have to note that this functional approach is probably not the best definition as "the standards of functional competency will definitely change with time" and these standards will need to be considered with respect to tomorrow's requirements, not today.
Literacy as Power
With the changing needs of the people, the Singapore government shifted its focus to more pragmatic approaches --> literacy as an economic resource, such that the educated population can ensure the prosperity and survival of Singapore. This suggests that only the literate people will be able to wield power and advance in the society.
This is illustrated in MOE's Intermediate Outcomes of Education, which shows a steady progression in the expectations of students, from "love Singapore" (Primary Schools) to "understand what it takes to lead Singapore" (Junior College). With reference to today's context, the ability to understand the language of technology is an important prerequisite to succeeding in the work life.
Literacy as a State of Grace
A literate person tends to be associated with positive traits and is able to engage in higher order thinking and learning. More importantly, literacy will have a self-enhancing effect on the individuals that aids in developing their minds. Similar to the previous metaphor, there is a great divide between the literates and the illiterates.
What can we take away from Scribner's views on "literacy"?
Literacy:
- is a social achievement
- is an outcome of cultural transmission
- involves social analysis
- is not a necessity for personal survival
- does not exclude a person from full participation in economic activities or in town or society life
- is not dominated by a specific metaphor (There's no "one size fits all" kind of metaphor)
- may have multiple meanings depending on the culture of the society
We should learn to accept the multifarious nature of literacy in order to adapt to the diversity of this changing society, allow our students to be socially empowered by the knowledge that literacy brings and open them up for self-enhancements in their journeys to getting literate.
Labels: Literacy in Three Metaphors Article Response
1:59 AM
Jess Chen...
