Literacy

=The Various Types of Literacy= One of the main goals of our Media Center is to enrich students' development of literacy. However, w//hat does this really mean?//

There are multiple types of literacy, each important as the other. Here's a snapshot of the multiple aspects of literacy.

Media Literacy
"The ability to read and understand a communications medium by looking //through// the processes it enables, interpreting its signs and symbols, while also looking //at// the medium's effect on an author, audience, and message." (Burniske, 11)


 * Translation:** Media literacy is the ability to read, understand and appropriately respond to any type of communication (books, emails, IMs, etc.)

Civil Literacy
"The ability to read, interpret, and respect the moral and ethical beliefs embraced by a particular social group and apply them in a responsible manner." (Burniske, 19)


 * Translation:** Being a good (digital) citizenship; embracing the accepted ethical, social norms.

Discourse Literacy
"The ability to read, understand, and abide by norms that govern the discursive practices of a particular social group." (Burniske, 42)


 * Translation:** Knowing how to act appropriately in conversation. In the context of online conversations, reading between the lines for "non-verbal" clues and typing appropriately in response.

Personal Literacy
"The ability to undergo a personal initiation to the self, recognize how others read and perceive that self through social interactions, and understand the social forces that shape an individual's identity." (Burniske, 61)


 * Translation:** Being able to explain your own choices in media and //why// you chose them.