Literacy

Many definitions of literacy exist but at their core most definitions relate to oral language and an individuals’ ability to understand and communicate through text.
 
Today, literacy has become even more complex as “new literacies” have emerged.  The literacies of today are no longer linear (using a series of print-only, controlled vocabulary, basal readers to learn to read, print-only reference books to acquire information, and prescriptive templates for writing), but multimodal and multilayered.  Today’s learners must develop expertise with a wide range of literacy skills and strategies to acquire, create, connect, and communicate meaning in an ever-expanding variety of contexts.  Today’s youth connect and communicate through means such as blogs, wikis, instant messaging and texting.  They not only acquire information from print sources, but can listen to podcasts, webinars, visit countless websites, and share video via YouTube and other sites.  In the 21st century, literacy is much more than reading and writing. 

Digital literacy, balanced literacy, reading intervention, pullout programs, content-based literacy, animated literacy, and early literacy are examples of instructional strategies and programs used in AISI projects.

Learn more about Literacy from AISI Publications:

• Supporting the Literacy Learner II: Promising Literacy Strategies in Alberta from Cycle 2 and Cycle 3 AISI Projects (2010)
• Supporting the Literacy Learner:  Promising Literacy Strategies in Alberta  (2008)
• Literacy and Language Arts:  Provincial Research Review  (2006)
• Early Intervention and Reading  Readiness:  Literature Synopsis (2004)
• Language Arts Literacy & Reading Interventions: Literature Synopsis (2004)
• Research on the Teaching of Writing: Literature Synopsis (2004)

Hear stories from AISI projects about Literacy and other themes:

• AISI Videos
• AISI Stories

Search AISI projects focusing on Literacy:

• AISI Project Synopses Search Tool

Explore other Education and Government initiatives and resources:

• Advancing Adolescent Reading Initiative
• Literacy:  A World to Discover
• Literacy First:  A Plan for Action  (2010)
• Living Literacy:  A Literacy Framework for Alberta’s Next Generation Economy (2009)
• Passport to the Internet

Resources related to Literacy from National Organizations:

• Alberta Teachers Association (ATA)
  Recent articles published by the professional organization of teachers in Alberta on the theme of Literacy include:
  Literacy Learning Goes to the Dogs (2010)
  21st Century Literacies (2007)
  
  
• Canadian Council on Learning (CCL)
  This research-based council focuses on education and learning throughout childhood and adulthood. Recent articles published by this council on the theme of literacy include:
  Why Boys Don’t Like to Read: Gender Differences in Reading Achievement (2009)
  Improving Literacy Levels among Aboriginal Canadians (2008)
  Media Literacy for Children in the Internet Age (2008)
  How Parents Foster Early Literacy (2006)
  
  
• Centre for Family Literacy (CFL)
  This organization is dedicated to helping build, develop and improve literacy in Alberta.  It provides programs, training, resources and services for families.  Several print resources are available online.  Examples include:
  Family Literacy Tips for Parents (2010)
  Books that Reflect Aboriginal Culture (2007)
  
  

• Media Awareness Network
  This website is home to a comprehensive collection of media literacy and digital literacy resources for teachers and parents.  More than 80 percent of the resources are freely available on the website in both English and French.
  Media Awareness Network website
  The following report presents the findings of exploratory qualitative research with a purposive sample of teachers who are recognized by their peers for being successful in engaging their students positively and creating an excellent learning environment in the classroom. 
  Young Canadians in a Wired World, Phase III (2012)

Resources related to Literacy from International Organizations:

• Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)
  Educational Leadership published a recent issue on the theme of Literacy entitled Literacy 2.0 (2009).  The following free, full-text articles are available on this site. 
  Orchestrating the Media Collage (2009)
  Are Digital Media Changing Language? (2009)
  Plagiarism in the Internet Age (2009)
  Teaching Media Literacy (2009)
  
  
• Education Resources Information Center (ERIC)
  This is an online digital library of education research and information, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education.  The following articles related to Literacy are available on this site:
  Engaging Gifted Boys in New Literacies (2010)
  
  
• Harvard Education Review
  The spring 2008 issue of this publication includes several articles about adolescent literacy.  The following focuses on content-area literacy.
  Teaching Disciplinary Literacy to Adolescents (2008)
  
  
• Metiri Group
  This report provides a common understanding of what 21st Century Skills are, why they are important, and how they contribute to the success of students as they strive to live, learn and work in the Digital Age.
  enGauge 21st Century: Literacy in the Digital Age (2003)
  
  
• Moje, Elizabeth Birr (2010)
  Elizabeth Birr Moje makes the case for a disciplinary literacy that focuses on the literacy skills required of practitioners in a content field.  Articles and powerpoint slides from the National Reading Initiative Conference are available at the following links:
  Literacy in the Disciplines:  What, Why, When & How? (2010)
  Integrating Literacy Instruction into Secondary School Science (2010)
  
  
• National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)
  This policy brief includes research-based recommendations for effective instruction in 21st century literacy.
  21st Century Literacies (2011)
  
  
• National Middle School Association (NMSA)
  The following are free full-text articles published in Middle Ground which focus on the theme of Literacy.
  Digital Storytelling:  A Tool for Teaching and Learning in the YouTube Generation (2011)
  Change We Believe In:  Real Literacy for Real Learning (2009)
  
  
  
• OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA)
  The September 2011 issue of PISA in Focus reports that the proportion of students who said that they read for pleasure daily is declining in most OECD countries, particularly for boys.  The article relates reading for pleasure to reading ability, lifelong learning, and success in school.
  Do Students Today Read for Pleasure? (Sept 2011)
  
  
• Shanahan, Timothy
  Tim, a professior from the University of Illinois, argues for the value of disciplinary literacy in the following presentation and articles:
  The Death of Content Area Reading:  Disciplinary Literacy (2003)