Literacy in Europe

European background: Today the meaning of literacy has changed to reflect changes in society and the skills needed by individuals to participate fully in society.  One in five 15 year old and many adults in Europe cannot read properly. A study published by the European Commission shows that 31 countries are implementing many projects to improve reading literacy.

Local background:

In Romania, there is an emphasis on the long life learning, especially for disadvantaged groups. Our association has experience in international programs, but we want to extend our network of adult education organisations. We want to promote the Romanian system of fighting illiteracy and to acquire, through exchange of good practices, new ways of improving the current situation.

We consider the work done by adult education trainers and counsellors against illiteracy very important, in order to improve the life quality of their trainees, who usually come from disadvantaged groups.  Some of them are reconverted professionally, and need specific competences in working either with adults or with disadvantaged groups.

Digital literacy issues

Today I am making some research about digital literacy… I know what it is.. but what are the practical ways to resolve it? What do teachers need? What do their learners need?

Eshet-Alkalai contends that there are five types of literacies that are encompassed in the umbrella term that is digital literacy.

(1) Photo-visual literacy is the ability to read and deduce information from visuals.

(2) Reproduction literacy is the ability to use digital technology to create a new piece of work or combine existing pieces of work together to make it your own.

(3) Branching literacy is the ability to successfully navigate in the non-linear medium of digital space.

(4) Information literacy is the ability to search, locate, assess and critically evaluate information found on the web.

(5) Lastly, socio-emotional literacy refers to the social and emotional aspects of being present online, whether it may be through socializing, and collaborating, or simply consuming content.

So, are you digital literate? Am I digital literate? How can you do it when technology changes so fast?