In the book, Literacies Social,
Cultural and Historical Perspectives by Michele Knobel and Colin Lankshear
early in chapter one two subjects that caught my attention: literacy and
illiteracy. Up to the mid 1950s only third world countries were referred to or
having adult illiteracy. Interestingly enough in the United States during the
1940s as World War II progressed more
and more men were needed for military service it was this all branches of the
military rejected soldiers’ and sailors were rejected for poor reading and
writing skills. (Knobel & Lankshear, 2011, pg 4.) I mentioned this fact
because; adult and child illiteracy was put aside and not in the public eye in
the U.S. only until recent times children and adult literacy has become a
recognized issue.
Knobel, M., & Lankshear, C.
(2011). Literacies Social, Cultural and Historical Perspectives. New
York, NY: Peter Lang.
You are complimented for bringing to light an unpopular truth, that illiteracy is alive and well in all nations. The "third world" is very much a part of a secret culture within our borders. For most of my youth I lived a third world lifestyle in a first world country, without running water or bathroom facilities in my home, and tarp walls. It was ignored and not something the community spoke about. Instead we were quietly accommodated like being aloud to take showers at the elementary school before school began. Illiteracy is often associated with poverty. In a “perfect world” educational resources would be free and many are however it takes a great amount of energy and time to mine for and organize these resources. I am hoping to get better at this practice of mining and finding ways to redistribute this knowledge to others in a digestible form. I must point out however a new and much scarier form of illiteracy is being formed not out of poverty but out of the mindless entertainment that new technologies are bringing our youth. Hence we must keep separate the concept of literacy and technology as the two are not the same. Providing technology to those in poverty will not decrease illiteracy. It is the proactive interaction whether through technology or other forms that will help individuals make sense out of new literacies and use them to further the learning in their lives.
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