[NIFL-LD:3234] RE: What is Literacy?

From: woods@ncia.net
Date: Wed Nov 08 2000 - 00:03:10 EST


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Subject: [NIFL-LD:3234] RE: What is Literacy?
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Marsha Tait wrote:
> The ability to read, write, and speak English proficiently, to compute and
> solve problems, and to use technology in order to become a life-long
learner
> and to be effective in the family, in the workplace and in the community.

Thanks Marsha. A couple questions. How would you define "proficiently?" How
is it measured? What level of problem-solving might be expected for
literacy. I could think of a range from tieing a shoe to computing orbital
velocities. Surely, it's somewhere inbetween. Also, what sort of technology
do you refer to? Computers? Of course, a pencil is also a sort of
technology.

I have been trying to identify things that a person can do that demonstrates
literacy. For instance a person might demonstrate literacy if she or he:
1. can read and understand a newspaper article.
2. can pass a GED test.
3. fill out a job application.
4. follow a written recipe.
5. read and order from a menu.
6. fill out an order form and compute a total price for items purchased.
7. make change.
8. write a friendly letter.
9. find a location on a map and give directions to find it.
10. use a bus or train or other similar schedule effectively.

Might anyone have suggestions for the list? Or is there another approach to
defining
literacy that's significantly different?

Thank you,

Tom Woods



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