Changes

==Origin==

==Origin==

[[Latin]] ''litterātus'', < littera [[letter]].

[[Latin]] ''litterātus'', < littera [[letter]].

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century 1883]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century 1883]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1: the [[quality]] or [[state]] of being literate  

*1: the [[quality]] or [[state]] of being literate  

'''Literacy''' has [[traditionally]] been [[described]] as the [[ability]] to [[read]] and [[write]]. It is a [[concept]] claimed and defined by a range of [[different]] theoretical fields.

'''Literacy''' has [[traditionally]] been [[described]] as the [[ability]] to [[read]] and [[write]]. It is a [[concept]] claimed and defined by a range of [[different]] theoretical fields.

The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization] (UNESCO) defines literacy as the "[[ability]] to identify, [[understand]], [[interpret]], create, [[communicate]], compute and use printed and written [[materials]] associated with varying [[contexts]]. Literacy involves a [[continuum]] of [[learning]] in enabling [[individuals]] to achieve their goals, to [[develop]] their [[knowledge]] and [[potential]], and to [[participate]] fully in their [[community]] and wider [[society]]."

The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization] (UNESCO) defines literacy as the "[[ability]] to identify, [[understand]], [[interpret]], create, [[communicate]], compute and use printed and written [[materials]] associated with varying [[contexts]]. Literacy involves a [[continuum]] of [[learning]] in enabling [[individuals]] to achieve their goals, to [[develop]] their [[knowledge]] and [[potential]], and to [[participate]] fully in their [[community]] and wider [[society]]."

Some have [[argued]] that the [[definition]] of literacy should be expanded. For example, in the United States, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Council_of_Teachers_of_English National Council of Teachers of English] and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Reading_Association International Reading Association] have added "visually representing" to the [[traditional]] list of competencies. Similarly, in Scotland, literacy has been defined as: "The ability to read, write and use numeracy, to handle [[information]], to [[express]] [[ideas]] and [[opinions]], to make [[decisions]] and solve [[problems]], as [[family]] members, workers, [[citizens]] and lifelong learners."

Some have [[argued]] that the [[definition]] of literacy should be expanded. For example, in the United States, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Council_of_Teachers_of_English National Council of Teachers of English] and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Reading_Association International Reading Association] have added "visually representing" to the [[traditional]] list of competencies. Similarly, in Scotland, literacy has been defined as: "The ability to read, write and use numeracy, to handle [[information]], to [[express]] [[ideas]] and [[opinions]], to make [[decisions]] and solve [[problems]], as [[family]] members, workers, [[citizens]] and lifelong learners."

A basic literacy [[standard]] in many [[societies]] is the ability to read the newspaper. Increasingly, [[communication]] in [[commerce]] or [[society]] in general requires the [[ability]] to use computers and other digital technologies. Since the 1990s, when the [[Internet]] came into wide use in the United States, some have asserted that the [[definition]] of literacy should include the [[ability]] to use tools such as web browsers, word processing programs, and text messages. Similar expanded skill sets have been called multimedia literacy, computer literacy, information literacy, and technological literacy. Some [[scholars]] propose the [[idea]] multi-literacies which includes Functional Literacy, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_literacy Critical Literacy], and Rhetorical Literacy.

A basic literacy [[standard]] in many [[societies]] is the ability to read the newspaper. Increasingly, [[communication]] in [[commerce]] or [[society]] in general requires the [[ability]] to use computers and other digital technologies. Since the 1990s, when the [[Internet]] came into wide use in the United States, some have asserted that the [[definition]] of literacy should include the [[ability]] to use tools such as web browsers, word processing programs, and text messages. Similar expanded skill sets have been called multimedia literacy, computer literacy, information literacy, and technological literacy. Some [[scholars]] propose the [[idea]] multi-literacies which includes Functional Literacy, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_literacy Critical Literacy], and Rhetorical Literacy.

Other [[genres]] under [[study]] by academia include [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_literacy critical literacy], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_literacy media literacy], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecological_literacy ecological literacy] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_literacy health literacy] With the increasing [[emphasis]] on [[evidence]]-based [[decision]] making, and the use of statistical graphics and [[information]], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statistical_literacy statistical literacy] is becoming a very important aspect of literacy in general. The [http://www.stat.auckland.ac.nz/~iase/islp/ International Statistical Literacy Project] is [[dedicated]] to the promotion of statistical literacy among all members of [[society]]. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literacy]

Other [[genres]] under [[study]] by academia include [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_literacy critical literacy], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_literacy media literacy], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecological_literacy ecological literacy] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_literacy health literacy] With the increasing [[emphasis]] on [[evidence]]-based [[decision]] making, and the use of statistical graphics and [[information]], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statistical_literacy statistical literacy] is becoming a very important aspect of literacy in general. The [https://www.stat.auckland.ac.nz/~iase/islp/ International Statistical Literacy Project] is [[dedicated]] to the promotion of statistical literacy among all members of [[society]]. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literacy]

[[Category: Languages and Literature]]

[[Category: Languages and Literature]]

[[Category: Sociology]]

[[Category: Sociology]]