MODLUE 2:

CONCEPT OF LITERACY
OBJECTIVES:

At the end of the module, you are expected to:

 Define literacy;
 Identify laws and policies connected to literacy
 Understand the concepts of literacy and how to apply it; and
 Design a concept map on the theme of literacy.

Almost everyone has access to information nowadays. The adage of a picture paints a
thousand words is true today. Learning is not only in the four corners of the classroom.
Students were taught to read and write at an early age. For every grade level, their
reading and writing skills develop as well.

LITERACY is not a one-off act. Beyond its conventional concept as a set of reading, writing
and counting skills, literacy is now understood as a means of identification, understanding,
interpretation, creation, and communication in an increasingly digital, text-mediated, information-
rich, and fast-changing world. Literacy is a continuum of learning and proficiency in reading,
writing, and using numbers throughout life and is part of a larger set of skills, which include
digital skills, media literacy, education for sustainable development and global citizenship as
well as job-specific skills. Literacy skills themselves are expanding and evolving as people
engage more and more with information and learning through digital technology.

KINDS OF LITERACY

1. Reading and writing – Traditional definitions of literacy usually refer to the ability to read
and write. These are skills that can be developed over time, and they should be
practiced regularly. More than just knowing how to read and write basic letters and
sentences, this literacy means that you can understand and communicate what you
have read and that you can express yourself to writing.

2. Numerical literacy – is the ability to use basic math skills in everyday life and the ability
to use numbers to solve problems or manage finances. Hand-in-hand with financial
literacy, numerical literacy means:
a. Understanding the charts, diagrams, and data
b. Solve problems
c. Check answers
d. Explain solutions
e. Use logic

3. Digital literacy – means being able to critically use technology, to navigate through
various online forums and devices, understanding how technology works and being able
to creatively and inventively manipulate technology to solve problems. It goes hand in
hand with media literacy. Basically, being digitally literate means being able to use
technology to solve problems and to express yourself. Contrary to popular belief, young
people are not necessarily digitally literate just because they are competent in using
technology – it depends on what they use it for.

4. Health literacy – allows you to understand the health care system such as:
a. Medications
b. Communicating with doctors and specialists
c. Getting the necessary health

Having poor health literacy skills is dangerous and can result in taking incorrect
medications, trouble following instructions from your doctor about lifestyle, food, and
referrals, missing appointments, and so on.
 5. Financial literacy – is to understand and manage your finances. It is having the
knowledge, skills and confidence to make responsible financial decisions including:
a. Understanding how finances work and applying them to your life
b. Planning for your financial future and managing your personal funds
c. Being confident to make important decisions
d. Navigating financial systems and institutions
e. Making the best use of the resources you have

6. Media literacy – is your ability to understand the message you are being told on
television, radio, social media, and more. Media literacy means understanding:
a. Media is constructed with a specific purpose in mind
b. People will see the same thing and understand it differently
c. Constructing media is a business
d. It reflects political and cultural ideas
e. The type of story changes depending on the type of media

7. Civic/Social literacy – is the ability to understand all of the subtle nuances that come
along with living or working in a particular society. It consists of understanding the
language, methods, assumptions, and unstated ideas that make up to behave and
communicate. The benefit to having a good understanding of cultural literacy is knowing
how to avoid misunderstandings and communicate well with people of other cultures.
Knowing your own culture make you more emphatic and aware of others.

8. Emotional/Physical literacy – Emotional literacy is identifying, validating, and expressing

your feelings, as well as recognizing and responding to the feelings of others. Physical
literacy is the development and repeated use of fine motor skills, balance, confident
movement, and the enjoyment of being able to move with skill. Having competent
physical literacy is a fundamental tool for the development and expression of emotional
literacy. The more comfortable you are with your own body, the more in tune you will be
with your own feelings, and the more in tune you will be with the world.

9. Legal literacy – refers to the understanding of the law, the Bill of Rights, the constitution
and the ability to obey them

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF LITERACY IN SOCIETY

Literacy defines society as to whether it is functional or not. If the citizenry does not value
literacy and its different types, the opposite of an orderly and efficient society would be
displayed. The Philippine government is mandated to deliver quality education to its citizens.
The mere presence of literacy in the Constitution, Republic Acts, Executive Orders, Resolutions,
and Ordinances strengthens its place in the state. Be familiar with the following laws:

1. BP 232: Education Act of 1982

2. RA 7165: Literacy Coordinating Council Act

3. RA 10122: Literacy Coordinating Council Act Amendments

4. RA 10533: Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013

5. RA 10556: Araw ng Pagbasa Act

6. RA 11522: National higher Education Day

7. RA 11551: Labor Education Act

8. RA 11394: Neutral Desk Act

9. RA 11369: National Students’ Day Act

10. RA 11358: National Vision Screening Act

 11. RA 10743: National Teacher’s Day Act

12. RA 10679: Youth Entrepreneurship Act

13. RA 10922:Financial Literacy Week Act

14. RA 10650: Open Distance Learning Act

15. RA 10410: Early Years Act

16. RA 10157: Kindergarten Education Act

17. RA 11713: Teacher Education Act

18. RA 11650: Learners with Disability Act

Education is important in every nation. The Philippine Constitution stipulates that the State shall
protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education taking the appropriate measures
for all to gain access. The government shoulders public education. Scholarships, subsidies,
loans, and other incentives are available to those in need, particularly those underprivileged.
The state also promoted non-formal, informal, and indigenous learning systems responding to
the needs of the community and providing adult citizens, the disabled, and out-of-school youth
with training in civics, vocational efficiency, and other skills.

LEARNER ASSESSMENT

Assessment is important to education to ensure that the students genuinely understand

essential skills and information, not just remembering facts. It is a checkpoint to see whether a
student knows the most significant tasks in the learning process. Assessments evaluate their
ability to complete challenging tasks similar to the difficulties they would face outside the
classroom.

Learner assessment in literacy instruction are of the following types:

1. Formative assessment – is the process that students and teachers use to acknowledge
and address student learning during the learning process to improve that learning. The
information gathered from the assessment is used to adapt teaching and learning to
meet the needs of the students through re-teaching, alternative instructional approaches,
or more practice opportunities, which can lead to student success. Feedback is also
used in formative assessment so that the learners become aware of any existing gaps
between the desired goal and their current knowledge, understanding, or skill that will
guide action to achieve the goal.

2. Summative assessment – is usually applied at the end of the instruction period to

measure the outcome of student learning. It is employed for recording and reporting
purposes. In order for this type of evaluation to be as precise, impartial, and fair as
possible, it is essential that all students receive assignments that are regularly graded
and that they understand exactly what is expected of them. This type of evaluation can
be used for more than just determining marks; it can also be used to determine the
overall effectiveness of instruction, which can be used to guide modifications to the
course’s or a program’s curriculum.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN LITERACY INSTRUCTION

1. Equity and access – regardless of a student’s upbringing, social condition, or talents, all
students shall have equitable access to high-quality education. Teachers should work to
develop inclusive learning environments.

2. Cultural sensitivity – teachers need to be considerate of their pupils’ cultural experiences

and origins. To avoid preconceptions or prejudices in educational content, varied texts
 and resources that represent the student’s own cultures and experiences must be
employed.

3. Informed consent – teachers should get parents’ or guardians’ approval before using
sensitive data or assessment tools while gathering information on kids’ literacy
development to promote respect for privacy.

4. Assessment and diagnosis – the ethical evaluation of pupils’ reading ability is a crucial
component of effective literacy training assessments must be accurate, trustworthy, and
unbiased to inform education with assessment data rather of stigmatizing or labelling
children.

5. Inclusive practices – all pupils, including those with special needs or impairments, should
be included in literacy education. This may entail offering accommodation, assistive
technology, or tailored training.

6. Privacy and data security – is essential to protect students’ private information and
literacy data. When gathering, maintaining, disseminating student data, educators must
adhere to privacy laws and regulations.

7. Professional development – is important for teachers to update them on the most

effective methods for teaching reading and which involves being aware of the most
recent findings and instructional strategies of teaching literacy.

8. Parent and family engagement – is a key component of ethical literacy training.

Respectful, open, and culturally aware communication will help to strengthen the
relationship between the home and the learning environment, and the school.

9. Social and emotional learning – of the pupils should be taken into social account when
teaching literacy, learning outcomes and ethical behavior can be improved by
developing supportive and caring learning environment.

10. Ethical leadership – educational leaders and school administrators should provide an
ethical example for their staff members and advise them on how to teach literacy in an
ethical manner. They should also set up rules and guidelines that encourage moral
behavior