2 Additional 21st Century Literacies for Us to Teach

Earlier in the week, we saw how the Internet has really changed how we access information, but also how we develop our identities online. As our students continue to expand their knowledge and their tech use, it’s essential that we arm them with the necessary skills for these new literacies. With that fact in mind, the Writing with Design team has two more important literacies for you to consider for your classroom.

Communicating Across the Board and Across Cultures

When the printing press was first invented, it revolutionized how quickly knowledge could be spread across the globe. Now, the Internet has kicked this trend into overdrive. Never before have we been able to communicate with so many people and all in the blink of an eye. One second you can be talking to a friend in Asia, and the next, playing video games with someone from South America. It truly is an amazing time to be alive, but teaching cultural literacy is key here, so that your students can appreciate the communication differences between cultures.

Software and App Adoption

While this one might sound like something that takes place in the backroom of an IT dept, increasingly, we’re seeing students who are making their own software decisions. Of course, it’s not hard to imagine that they download and use apps on their smartphones. Yet, with every piece of software and every app having its own pros and cons, we also need to be teaching how to choose them. This is especially true when it comes to malicious software and information security as well.

“As our students continue to expand their knowledge and their tech use, it’s essential that we arm them with the necessary skills for these new literacies.”

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