Teaching Literacy to a Modern World

For teachers, it is easy to think of the importance of literacy in relation to standardized tests. These tests are designed to measure a student’s ability in that area. But what can be easily overlooked, is the actual role literacy should play in a student’s life. 

As mentioned in chapter one of Adolescent Literacy, teachers need to encourage student literacy that will be applicable in the modern world we live in. Although it is beneficial for students to perform well on their standardized tests, it is more important that they understand how to use that properly in the world around them. The author proposes many questions in relation to this “new” view of how education should be implemented in students of today’s society. “But what if schooling looked different? What if we recognized that the world in which we now all work and live is different and what if education were about preparing students to live productively in that world (Beers, p. 11)?” I think when we consider these questions we are going to engage our students with a new way of learning that appeals to them. Technology is a great way to not only interest students, but to prepare them. 

Beers talks about a student who was not doing well in his English class, however he did have the ability to articulate using his language in a more modern format. He had an environmental blog that he cared a lot about. If his English teacher had less specific requirements, then this student might have been able to express his thoughts in a written format so that the teacher could recognize his ability. 

This same idea of teaching to a modern and ever-changing generation can be applied to any subject area. In a math classroom for example, one might put an emphasis on creative problem solving. It is still relevant to know math facts and equations, but being able to come up with original ideas to find solutions might prove to be more beneficial in our society where people can look up many questions on the Internet. 

In chapter 10, Jim Burke discusses important “learning skills” for the twenty-first century, one of which refers to creative thinking. Burke refers to it as “creativity and intellectual curiosity.” Teachers need to invoke this type of learning and thinking in their classroom so that their students become active and productive members of society. To motivate students in this way of thinking, Burke would invite professionals into his class to have them talk about the ways in which they have to constantly learn and stay current with their work. This shows students that they “must continue to learn as their fields evolve” and “be highly literate (Burke, p. 150).” 

It is important that teachers prepare their students for a world in which the implications of literacy are constantly changing. So what’s more important; students’ performance on standardized tests, or their ability to utilize that knowledge in our modern world?

Beers, G. (n.d.). Adolescent literacy: Turning promise into practice.