What Does It Mean to Be Literate in the 21st Century?

You always thought you knew what literacy meant, but you may be in for a bit of a surprise. Literacy is not exactly the same thing as it used to be.

True, the definition of literacy remained unchanged for quite a few years. For a long time, it has meant the ability to read and write and nothing more.

This ability has gained importance over the years, but now there’s a new kind of literacy on the horizon. It still involves reading and writing, but now there’s another skill integrated into it.

As our world begins to change faster and faster with technology that’s constantly being modified, our definition of literacy is changing too. And it’s changing quickly.

New media in a technological world is shaping the lives of youth and, as a result, redefining the literacy skills that will be necessary for youth to be able to function successfully in the world they are growing up in. Reading and writing won’t help you much anymore if you don’t have any clue how to navigate a smartphone or use the internet.

Check out the video below to learn what literacy means today.