Building and Enhancing New

Literacies Across the Curriculum

FRITZ HUMPHREY C. DIAZ, LPT

Course Instructor, PEC 121
Definitions of
Traditional
Literacies
 The word “literacy” stems from the word “literate”, which
first appeared in the 15th century and is in turn derived from the
Latin word “litteratus”, meaning “(a person) marked with letters” –
that is, “distinguished or identified by letters” – and it carried with it
the idea that such a person was cultured and educated.
Since the subjects of the time (e.g., grammar, logic, arithmetic,
geometry, etc.) all had written texts (which were composed of
letters) that had to be studied, the ability to read and write was
therefore of prime importance, leading to the strong association of
being “literate” with the ability to read and write.
1. Traditional Literacy (Conventional Literacy) - is
the ability to read the written word to gain
understanding and meaning.
2. Functional Literacy (Practical Literacy) – is the ability
to read (i.e., decode and comprehend) written
materials needed to perform everyday vocational tasks.
This is the equivalent of reading the text “Ang bata ay
nagbabasa.” And being able to understand that basa
here refers to reading and not being wet.
3. Early literacy/emergent literacy – learning literacy actually
begins at a very early age, long before official lessons in
school. This term is used to describe the knowledge the child
has of reading and writing before reaching the age where
these skills are taught
4. Basic literacy and skills – is the ability to correspond
visual shapes to spoken sounds in order to decode written
materials and translate them into oral language. Simply put,
it is the ability to recognize letters and words. This would be
a kin to recognizing that the sequence of letters “b-a-s-a”
forms the word basa in Filipino, even without understanding
what it means.
 21st Century
Education Contexts
21st century Education Schools. Schools
st
in the 21 century focus on a project-
based curriculum for life that would
engage students in addressing real-world
problems and humanity concerns and
issues.
These changes haves implications for
teachers:
(1) Teachers must discover student interest
by helping them see and what and how
they are learning to prepare them for life
in the real-world;
(2) They must instill curiosity, which is
fundamental to lifelong learning;
(3) They must be flexible in how they teach;
(4) They must excite learners to become
more resourceful so that they will
continue to learn outside formal school.
The 21st Century Curriculum. The 21st
century curriculum has critical attributes
that are interdisciplinary, project-based and
research driven.
• The Curriculum also integrates Higher
Order Thinking Skills (HOTS), multiple
intelligences, technology, and multimedia,
multiple literacies and authentic
assessments, including service learning.
Technology in the 21st Century Pedagogy.
Technologies are not ends in themselves but
these are tools students use to create
knowledge for personal and social change.
Understanding 21st Century Learners.
Today’s students are referred to as “digital
immigrants” (Prensky, 2001). Most likely,
digital natives usually react, are random,
holistic and nonlinear.
21 st Century Skills Outcome and the Demands in the
Job Market. The 21st Century Skills are a set of abilities
that students need to develop to succeed in the
information age. The Partnership for 21st century Skills
list three types, namely:
1. Learning Skills which comprise critical thinking,
creative thinking, collaborating and communicating.
2. Literacy Skills which is composed of information
literacy, media literacy, and technology literacy
3. Life Skills that include flexibility, initiative, social
skills, productivity, and leadership. These skills have
always been important in an information-based
economy
21st Century Learning Implications. 21st Century Skills.
The 21st century skills are viewed relevant to all
academic areas and the skills may be taught in a wide
variety of both in-campus and community settings.
A PARADIGM SHIFT FOR 21ST CENTURY EDUCATION

Before 21st Century 21st Century Education

Education

Time-based Outcome-based
Focus: memorization of Focus: what students Know,
discrete facts Can do and Are. Like after all
the details are forgotten.
Textbook-driven Research-driven
A PARADIGM SHIFT FOR 21ST CENTURY EDUCATION

Before 21st Century 21st Century Education

Education

Passive learning Active Learning

Learners work in isolation Learners work collaboratively
and confined in the with classmates and others
classroom (walled around the world ( global
classroom). classroom).
Teacher-centered: teacher is Student-centered: teacher is
dispenser of knowledge, facilitator/ coach of students
information, and attention. learning.
A PARADIGM SHIFT FOR 21 ST CENTURY EDUCATION
Before 21st Century Education 21st Century Education
Little to no student freedom Great deal of student freedom
“ Discipline problems”—No trust No “ discipline problems”
between educators and Students and teachers have
students. Little student mutual respect and relationship
motivation as co-learners. High student
motivation
Fragmented curriculum Integrated and Interdisciplinary
curriculum
Grades taken from formal Grades are based on student’s
assessment measures performance
Student diversity is ignored Curriculum and Instruction
address student diversity
Literacy is the 3R’s ( reading, Multiple literacies of 21st century
writing, and arithmetic ) aligned to living and working in a
globalized new society.
 A PARADIGM SHIFT FOR 21ST CENTURY EDUCATION

• The paradigm shift from the 20th to the 21st Century

have evolved. Students become the center of
teaching-learning process in the 21st century using
wide array of needed in surviving the test of time
and preparing for future career endeavors.

• Teachers turn to become facilitators rather than

lecturers and dispensers of information.

• Curriculum is designed in a way that it connects to

life in real world, interconnected with other
disciplines and reshapes the student’s holistic
perspectives
 Integrated and
Interdisciplinary

Technologies and Global

Multimedia Classrooms

The Critical
Student Attributes of the 21st Century
Centeredness
21st century Skills

Project-Based
Relevant, Rigorous,
and Research
and Real World
Driven
Creating/ Adapting to Constant
Personal and Social Change and
Lifelong Learning
Characteristics of a
21st Century
Teacher
Self-directed Has a passion for excellent teaching

Multi-Literate
Flexible Multi-Skilled

Characteristics of a 21st Century

Teacher

Multi-Specialist Lifelong learner

Critical thinker

High Emotional Quotient Creative Problem Solver

21 st Century Teacher

[Link]-literate. Teachers know how to use various

technologies in teaching.
2. Multi-specialist. Teachers are not only knowledgeable
in the course subject they teach but also in other areas
so that they can help the learner build up what they gain
in the classroom and outside the school make sense of
what was learned.
3. Multi-skilled. Teachers cope with the demand for
widening learning opportunities by being skillful not just
in teaching but also in facilitating and organizing groups
and activities.
21 st Century Teacher

4. Self-directed. Teachers are responsible for various

aspects of school life and know how to initiate action to
realize the learning goals of the students and the
educational goals of the country, at large.
5. Lifelong learner. Teachers embrace the ideal that
learning never ends. Therefore, teachers must be
constantly updated on the latest information related to
their subject and pedagogic trends. They should also
share what they are learning with their students and
colleagues with a high sense of professionalism.
21 st Century Teacher

6. Flexible. Teachers are able to adapt to various

learning styles and needs of the learners. They can
facilitate learner-centered teaching with flexibility
using alternative modes of delivery.
7. Creative problem solver. Teachers create
innovative ideas and effective solutions to the
arising problems in the field, be it in the
classroom, in the school or the profession as a
whole.
21 st Century Teacher
8. Critical thinker. Teachers are critical thinkers as they
encourage students to reflect on what they have
learned, and rekindle in them the desire to ask
questions, reason out, probe, and establish their own
knowledge and belief.
9. Has a passion for excellent teaching. Teachers
possess passion in the teaching profession to ensure
that students are motivated to learn under their
guidance and care.
10. High Emotional Quotient (EQ). Teachers do not just
have the head but also the heart to teach. Teaching is
emotionally taxing but an influential job as it involves
interaction with human beings.
Group Performance Task 1:
Browse the internet and look for technology tools
for learning and have it presented in class.
 21st Century
Skills
Categories

Fritz Humphrey C. Diaz

Course Instructor
21 st
century Skills refer to a broad set of
knowledge, skills, work habits, and
character traits that are deemed
necessary in coping with today’s world
and future careers and workplaces.
Thus, it can be applied in all academic
subject areas and educational settings
throughout student’s life.
21st century Skills
(1) critical thinking, problem-solving, reasoning, analysis,
interpretation, synthesizing information;
(2) research skills and practices, interrogative questioning;
(3) creativity, artistry, curiosity, imagination, innovation,
personal expression;
(4) perseverance, self-direction, planning, self-discipline,
adaptability, initiative;
(5) oral and written communication, public speaking and
presenting, listening;
(6) leadership, teamwork, collaboration, cooperation, facility
in using virtual workspaces;
(7) information and communication technology (ICT)
literacy, media and Internet literacy, data interpretation
and analysis, computer programming;
Framework for 21 st Century
Framework for 21st Century