Literacy
What is Literacy?
Professional Development to Support Literacy
U-CAN Read
Chief Ministers Reading Challenge
What is literacy?
Literacy is viewed as a flexible group of skills and strategies that are closely linked to context and purpose. Contemporary views of literacy have moved beyond simple print literacy to encompass notions of active citizenship, new communications practices and information technologies, critical thinking and linguistic and cultural diversity. The multiplicity of literacy practices has led many educators to use the plural terms ‘literate practices’ and ‘multiliteracies’ to emphasise the diverse ways that we use the non-verbal, spoken, print, visual and multimodal communications practices of the world in which we live.
One definition of literacy agreed to by State and Federal ministers (MCEETYA) in 1997 is:
Literacy is the ability to read and write and use written information and to write appropriately in a range of contexts. It also involves the integration of speaking, listening, viewing and critical thinking with reading and writing, and includes the cultural knowledge which enables a speaker, writer or reader to recognise and use language appropriate to different social situations.
Professional Development to Support Literacy
The Literacy and Numeracy Section provide support materials and courses for teachers in ACT schools. Definitions and examples for the different approaches are given as a guide for your information and to use when programming.
While information provided in the booklets describe the frameworks of the programs, it should be stressed that engaging in specific professional development, dialogue and receiving on-going support is essential to embed these approaches. The Literacy and Numeracy Section offer specific professional learning workshops that address these programs. Information on these workshops can also be found on the Professional Learning and Events Calendar on ‘Activated’ or by contacting the Literacy and Numeracy Section on 6205 7616.
BLP and BNP Booklet
Early Years Literacy and Numeracy Development
Professional Development Overview
U-CAN Read
Literacy intervention for students Yrs 3 -10http://www.canberra.edu.au/centres/ncclr/home
U-CAN Read is a joint program offered by the ACT Department of Education and Training and the University of Canberra. It is dedicated to developing students’ literacy skills by providing parents and carers with ideas, knowledge and support.
Located in the Faculty of Education at the University of Canberra, U-CAN Read draws on up-to-date international research on best practices and theory in literacy teaching and learning.
The aim of the program is to provide parents or carers with students who are performing well below their expected year level in literacy the skills to support their own child’s literacy learning.
This program caters for students in years 3 - 10.
The literacy centre operates five days a week (8am-7pm) on 6201 2453
