Literacies for Learning in Further Education

"For decades, UK governments, education and the media have complained of ‘low levels of literacy’.  Talk of literacy is usually about illiteracy.  Reading and writing are viewed as just general skills that people should have learned before, rather than as social and professional practices that we all need to learn and use through life.  Even our students think that any talk of ‘literacy’ or reading and writing, is about what they can’t do, rather than what they can do." *

Research in the UK and elsewhere, has shown that students who appear to have low levels of literacy in educational settings may use reading and writing effectively and skilfully in other areas of their lives. The UK ESRC TLRP funded Literacies for Learning in FE project explored what difference it can make when teachers or lecturers realise this about their own students. They looked beyond the notion of literacy as just 'basic skills', to explore the diverse social and professional literacies that students already use, and others they will need, in their studies, lives and careers.  The DVD and booklet therefore offer a timely explanation of why those in education need to think about students' reading and writing in terms of literacy practices, rather than reducing them to 'basic skills'.

The project was carried out by Lancaster University (lancs.ac.uk/lflfe/) and the University of Stirling School of Education, led by Professor Roz Ivaníc.  The DVD, booklet and framework were developed and produced by Dr Simon Pardoe at PublicSpace.ac.uk in collaboration with Professor Ivaníc.  (*Pardoe & Ivaníc 2007)  The full DVD contents is listed below; with the Introduction and Part 1 both to view here on Vimeo. The DVD and booklet are available for £22.50 on Amazon at amazon.co.uk/Literacies-Learning-Further-Education-booklet/dp/1862202001/   The booklet provides a summary of the video content, research themes and case studies, quotable clarifications of the key issues, suggestions for discussion, an annotated bibliography and the copyable framework for use in the development and review of course materials.

DVD contents (47 mins)                                                   More information at:  publicspace.ac.uk/projects/literacies-for-learning/
Introduction  -  (narrated 3:56, watch below)
1 Actions for understanding: 3 approaches  -  (interviews and narrated 4:45, watch below)
2 Reflections and review
3 Actions for change: framework + 5 case studies
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