Literacy and Numeracy

Just watched an inspiring video about improving literacy in Tennant Creek. I've embeded it for your viewing pleasure.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-b3rnwM2rQ4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

It's interesting to see how literacy, and the lack of it, can have a big impact on society. If one generation is allowed to ignore their literacy needs, the flow on effect can be felt for a long time if it is not dealt with promptly. The potential for problems increases exponentialy with the addition of alternate literate types for new technologies and its new terms, jargon and accepted literacy standards (SMS, Twitter, Facebook).

So as Learning Managers we have a lot to consider when teaching. As Unsworth (2001) states that this range is not dealt with in schools, but the traditional methods and understandings are still valid, but need to be expanded. Hopefully with the national curriculum coming in, the full range of literacy will be acknowledge by making it a part of every subject; giving student a full and rounded understanding of how literacy relates to everything we do.