Precursors of Functional Literacy

Precursors of Functional Literacy
Author: Ludo Th Verhoeven
Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing
Total Pages: 374
Release: 2002-01-01
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 9789027218063

The purpose of this volume is to present recent research in the field of the acquisition of functional literacy and its precursors. The volume aims to capture the state of the art in this rapidly expanding field. An attempt is made to clarify the vague and often inconsistent definitions of functional literacy from the perspective of development. Cognitive, linguistic, educational, and social factors of literacy development are all taken into account. The volume consists of three subsequent parts. The first part goes into phonological precursors of literacy development. In this part the focus is on the development of early language precursors of of reading and writing. The cultural foundations of these precursors are explored, and their links with reading development are dealt with in detail. Different psycholinguistic approaches are also proposed to explain the occurrence of literacy problems. In the second part, the scope is on the constraints of reading and writing efficiency at the word level and beyond. The acquisition of reading and writing is seen as a result from the interaction between phonological, orthographic, and semantic processes. A crosslinguistic perspective is taken on the role of writing system factors in the acquisition of literacy skills. The final part deals with the role of social and educational factors in literacy acquisition. Starting from a crosscultural perspective, the central issue is how the attainment of functional literacy is dependent on sociocultural variation. The predictors of more advanced levels of literacy development are considered, including foreign language literacy and adult literacy.

Functional Literacy

Functional Literacy
Author: Ludo Th Verhoeven
Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing
Total Pages: 502
Release: 1994-01-01
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 9027217912

The purpose of the volume is to open up new perspectives in the study of literacy by bringing together current research findings from linguistics, psychology, sociology and anthropology. The book divides into five parts. The first part deals with theoretical questions related to the definition and the modeling of the construct of functional literacy. The second part goes into the notion of literacy development. Both societal and individual aspects of literacy development are taken into account. In the next two parts the actual achievement of literacy in various regions of the world is dealt with. In part 3 the focus is on attaining literacy in developing societies, and in part 4 on attaining literacy in industrialized societies. In the final part the question is raised how functional literacy can be promoted through education. Starting from a cross-cultural perspective the central issue is how standards of functional literacy can be established throughout the world.

Improving Adult Literacy Instruction

Improving Adult Literacy Instruction
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 504
Release: 2012-04-26
Genre: Education
ISBN: 0309219590

A high level of literacy in both print and digital media is required for negotiating most aspects of 21st-century life, including supporting a family, education, health, civic participation, and competitiveness in the global economy. Yet, more than 90 million U.S. adults lack adequate literacy. Furthermore, only 38 percent of U.S. 12th graders are at or above proficient in reading. Improving Adult Literacy Instruction synthesizes the research on literacy and learning to improve literacy instruction in the United States and to recommend a more systemic approach to research, practice, and policy. The book focuses on individuals ages 16 and older who are not in K-12 education. It identifies factors that affect literacy development in adolescence and adulthood in general, and examines their implications for strengthening literacy instruction for this population. It also discusses technologies for learning that can assist with multiple aspects of teaching, assessment,and accommodations for learning. There is inadequate knowledge about effective instructional practices and a need for better assessment and ongoing monitoring of adult students' proficiencies, weaknesses, instructional environments, and progress, which might guide instructional planning. Improving Adult Literacy Instruction recommends a program of research and innovation to validate, identify the boundaries of, and extend current knowledge to improve instruction for adults and adolescents outside school. The book is a valuable resource for curriculum developers, federal agencies such as the Department of Education, administrators, educators, and funding agencies.

Learning to be

Learning to be
Author: Edgar Faure
Publisher: UNESCO
Total Pages: 348
Release: 1972-01-01
Genre:
ISBN: 9231042467

Differentiated Literacy Strategies for Student Growth and Achievement in Grades K-6

Differentiated Literacy Strategies for Student Growth and Achievement in Grades K-6
Author: Gayle H. Gregory
Publisher: Corwin Press
Total Pages: 241
Release: 2004-10-28
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1452299420

"All-encompassing. I kept turning the pages and saying to myself, ′Oh and they included this and this and this.′ I am very impressed by the range of information." Debbie Wilks, Third Grade Teacher Riverside Cultural Arts and History Magnet School, Wichita, KS "Experienced teachers will remember what they have forgotten. New teachers will find that it reinforces prior learning. All teachers will learn new ideas and strategies. This book offers ideas for teachers of all levels and teachers who teach a diverse student population." William Fitzhugh, Second Grade Teacher Reisterstown Elementary School, Reisterstown, MD Choose the most effective strategies to promote literacy learning for ALL the young readers, writers, speakers, and listeners in your diverse classroom! Differentiated Literacy Strategies for Student Growth and Achievement in Grades K-6 is the resource that gives teachers an instructional and assessment framework designed to promote the multiple competencies their learners need: functional literacy for phonics, spelling, and reading; content-area literacy for vocabulary, concept attainment, and comprehension; technological literacy for information searching, evaluation, and synthesis; and innovative literacy for creativity, growth, and life-long learning. With a focus on research-based, data-driven, and differentiated strategies, noted authors Gayle Gregory and Lin Kuzmich offer teachers step-by-step guides to: Pre-assessing diverse learners for literacy skills, competencies, learning styles, and learning gaps Implementing a broad array of high-payoff and developmentally appropriate strategies to move all students to the next stage in their literacy learning Creating units, lessons, and adjustable assignments that address all four competencies in literacy learning in the differentiated classroom With more than 100 planning models, matrixes, rubrics, and checklists included, this book is the ideal resource for all elementary teachers who want to close the achievement gap for emerging learners and insure the growth and development of all learners.

Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8

Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 587
Release: 2015-07-23
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 0309324882

Children are already learning at birth, and they develop and learn at a rapid pace in their early years. This provides a critical foundation for lifelong progress, and the adults who provide for the care and the education of young children bear a great responsibility for their health, development, and learning. Despite the fact that they share the same objective - to nurture young children and secure their future success - the various practitioners who contribute to the care and the education of children from birth through age 8 are not acknowledged as a workforce unified by the common knowledge and competencies needed to do their jobs well. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 explores the science of child development, particularly looking at implications for the professionals who work with children. This report examines the current capacities and practices of the workforce, the settings in which they work, the policies and infrastructure that set qualifications and provide professional learning, and the government agencies and other funders who support and oversee these systems. This book then makes recommendations to improve the quality of professional practice and the practice environment for care and education professionals. These detailed recommendations create a blueprint for action that builds on a unifying foundation of child development and early learning, shared knowledge and competencies for care and education professionals, and principles for effective professional learning. Young children thrive and learn best when they have secure, positive relationships with adults who are knowledgeable about how to support their development and learning and are responsive to their individual progress. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 offers guidance on system changes to improve the quality of professional practice, specific actions to improve professional learning systems and workforce development, and research to continue to build the knowledge base in ways that will directly advance and inform future actions. The recommendations of this book provide an opportunity to improve the quality of the care and the education that children receive, and ultimately improve outcomes for children.

Primary Teaching

Primary Teaching
Author: Catherine Carden
Publisher: Learning Matters
Total Pages: 713
Release: 2018-11-15
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1526454785

This book includes full coverage of the content of professional studies modules and goes beyond to support trainees on placements and in their learning on the course.

The Literacy Myth

The Literacy Myth
Author: Harvey J. Graff
Publisher: Transaction Publishers
Total Pages: 402
Release: 1991-01-01
Genre: History
ISBN: 9781412837668

Harvey Graff's pioneering study presents a new and original interpretation of the place of literacy in nineteenth-century society and culture. Based upon an intensive comparative historical analysis, employing both qualitative and quantitative techniques, and on a wide range of sources, The Literacy Myth reevaluates the role typically assigned to literacy in historical scholarship, cultural understanding, economic development schemes, and social doctrines and ideologies.

Developing Adult Literacy

Developing Adult Literacy
Author: Juliet McCaffery
Publisher: Oxfam
Total Pages: 303
Release: 2007
Genre: Education
ISBN: 0855985968

This book will help those who plan and develop literacy initiatives; using case studies from literacy programmes in many countries including Egypt, India, Indonesia, Mali, Nigeria, the Philippines and Uganda, it demonstrates the importance of literacy, its power to improve lives, and the role literacy plays in social and economic development.