Literacy as a Personal and Social Value
Abstract
As a common concept of many fields such as philosophy, economics, anthropology,
sociology, psychology and theology, the “value” is defined differently in each
discipline. And at various disciplines, this concept is considered and processed through
different aspects. Particularly, in philosophical, sociological and educational sciences
“value” is examined more closely and implicitly.
All definitions and explanations of “value” in different disciplines, allow us to understand
the “literacy” as an educational concept through more qualified and broader perspective.
We need such a perspective; because literacy is regarded as the basic reading
and writing skills in our country.
Started in 1970s and survived until 1990s, the theories and researches that focused
within the frameworks of concepts “interaction” and “socialization” has changed the
definition of literacy and made it different.
Today, literacy is a term of education expressing the communication skills and attitudes.
At the same time, it is the personal development subject that includes the person’s
knowledge and skills to be used in the field of social and cultural issues. Moreover, literacy
is defined as personal and social values that make people have creative and deeper
values and find solutions the community’s problems and contribute to the advancement
of society.
After the 1990s, framework of the concept of literacy has continued to expand. Depending
on technological developments, variations in living conditions in cities and
new needs arisen, in developed societies, different literacy has begun to be concerned.
Computer literacy, technology literacy, internet literacy, media literacy have emerged
as various types of literacy. On the other hand, types of literacy such as information
literacy, cultural literacy and universal literacy have developed.
Literacy is a personal and social value on which non-governmental organizations and
public educational institutions are trying to develop all over the world.
The child’s interest in this value is emerging in the early years when he or she begins
to be interested in reading and writing. Child’s first perceptions, manners and experiments
related literacy starts and are shaped within the family. Family is a very important
institution for the development of child’s literacy knowledge, skills and attitudes. However,
in many researches, it seems that the family alone is not enough for the children
to be literate. In addition, it is highlighted that educational institutions and families
with non-governmental organizations and educational institutions must act together in
cooperation with the family. This emphasis then has revealed as concept of the family
literacy.
As a result, in today’s conditions, for our country to have an advanced and literate
society, it depends on giving special attention to literacy in all educational institutions,
including education in the families and schools and efforts of non-governmental organizations.
It is responsibility of non-governmental organizations and the state as well as
the people to make this leap
Keywords
Kişisel ve Sosyal Bir Değer Olarak Okuryazarlık
Abstract
Değer kavramı eğitim, iktisat, felsefe, antropoloji ve sosyoloji gibi çeşitli bilimlerin ortak kavramlarından biridir. Okuryazarlığın bu kavramın anlam çerçevesine girip girmediği tartışmalı bir konudur. Ancak insanın değer üreten bir varlık olması ve okuryazarlığı beğendiği, önem verdiği, istediği ve faydalı bulduğu bir davranış olarak tanımlaması bu kavramı kişisel bir değer olarak tanımlamamızı kolaylaştırabilir. Okuryazarlığın sosyal hayattaki bütün ilişkilere özel bir anlam yüklemesi de onu sosyal bir değer olarak düşünmemize imkân verebilir.Bu çalışma öncelikle okuryazarlık kavramının tarihsel süreç içinde nasıl tanımlandığına dair bir sürecin izini sürmektedir. Ayrıca toplumun değer atfettiği bir durumun (okuryazarlığın) zamanla bir değere dönüşüp dönüşemeyeceğini; bununla birlikte insanın varlığını gerçekleştirme yolu olarak kullandığı okuryazarlığın ardındaki düşüncenin bir değer olup olmadığını sorgulamaya çalışmaktadır.
Keywords
