1. Siobhan Murphy & Karla Holt
Engaging Learners in Literacy First Literacy Defined and Defining the 21st Century Learner
with
Siobhan Murphy & Karla Holt
Developed by ERLC/ARPDC as a result of a grant from Alberta Education to support implementation

2. Where are you? Use the clip art tool to place an icon on the map.
Options for introduction Activities:
Note: Choose one activity or add your own activity.
Have participants state their preferred name to be used during the course of this session
Engage participants in the webinar by asking them to place an icon on the map and diagram that best describes their role.
Ask participants to state something that they hope to gain from today’s session.

3. Place an icon that best describes your role in your school division.
Options for introduction Activities:
Note: Choose one activity or add your own activity.
Have participants state their preferred name to be used during the course of this session
Engage participants in the webinar by asking them to place an icon on the map and diagram that best describes their role.
Ask participants to state something that they hope to gain from today’s session.
Teacher
Consultant
Administrator
Other

4. Engaging Learners in Literacy First
A professional conversation to assure students, “develop a broad and deep range of literacy skills so they can have the literacy future they deserve…”
Literacy First: A Plan for Action (p.1)
Alberta Education 2010
Prior to the Workshop
Ensure participants have Literacy First: A Plan for Action, Alberta Education 2010 available from:
Webinar Moderator: Place link in chat window or complete a file transfer of the document.
Introduce the Workshop
Provide a brief overview of the session – you may want to read out the quote in full: A professional conversation to assure students, “develop a broad and deep range of literacy skills so they can have the literacy future they deserve, optimize their lifelong learning potential and become active, participating members of their communities and the wider society.”
What is Literacy?
Part 1 of 3: Literacy Defined

5. Goals: Gain familiarity with the key themes in Literacy First
Reflect on the definition of literacy
Explore skills required by the
21st Century Learner

6. Literacy First: What is it?
Mention the basis of the Literacy First document as outlined on the Alberta Education website paragraph three and four:
Education has developed Literacy First: A Plan for Action.  This Kindergarten to Grade 12 action plan supports the vision, values and goals of the provincial literacy framework – Living Literacy: A Framework for Alberta’s Next Generation Economy (September 2009).  In addition, Literacy First: A Plan for Action supports the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) Literacy Action Plan and Learn Canada 2020.
Literacy development is a shared responsibility.  School authorities, school leadership staff, teachers of all grades and subject areas, parents, communities, and students must all work together. Alberta Education will work with partners and stakeholders to ensure that students develop the literacy skills and strategies they need to succeed in lifelong learning, employment, and citizenship.

7. Literacy: A World to Discover
As people are in introducing/reintroducing themselves, have them answer a get-to know-each-other question such as What literacy skills did you use today? Your students?

8. Opening Activity: What literacy skills did you use today?
Your students?
As people are in introducing/reintroducing themselves, have them answer a get-to know-each-other question such as What literacy skills did you use today? Your students?

9. Literacy First – Key Themes
What is Literacy?
2. Building literacy skills in all subjects and all grades
3. Literacy as a factor in high school completion rates
4. More literacy support for all learners
5. Literacy professional learning for all K-12 teachers
6. Literacy is a shared responsibility
Literacy First: Key Themes
Briefly review the 6 key literacy themes stated in Literacy First: A Plan for Action.
Explain that although the themes are inter-linked, today we are focusing mainly on Theme 1-What is Literacy.

10. Consider
How you define literacy will then influence what you believe needs to be done about it and how.
2009, National Center Vocational Education Research
Consider
Your definitions…
Read the challenge: How you define literacy will then influence what you believe what needs to be done about it and how. 2009, National Center Vocational Education Research  

11. What is your definition of literacy?
Consider
What is your definition of literacy?
Consider
Ask participants to consider how they define literacy and invite them to respond on the slide in Elluminate using the text tool.

12. communicating meaning
Literacy Defined…
Literacy is acquiring, creating, connecting and
communicating meaning
in a wide variety of contexts.
Literacy First: A Plan for Action (p.3)
Alberta Education 2010
Discuss the implication of the Alberta Education definition of literacy in Literacy First p.3 using the focus question on the next slide: How does this definition impact what you believe needs to be done and how…in your context? .

13. communicating meaning
Literacy Defined…
Literacy is acquiring, creating, connecting and
communicating meaning
in a wide variety of contexts.
Literacy First: A Plan for Action (p.3)
Discuss the implication of the Alberta Education definition of literacy in Literacy First p.3 using the focus question on the slide: How does this definition impact what you believe needs to be done and how…in your context?
How does this definition impact what you believe needs to be done and how…in your context?
What is literacy?

14. Theme 1 - Complexity
What is Literacy? - A need for a definition of literacy to reflect its complex nature
Theme 1: Complexity
Ask participants to read theme 1 of the document (p. 3 & 4) addressing the rapid change and complexity of literacy today.
Ask participants which of the two images (on next slide) best reflects their interpretation of the reading and why

15. Theme 1 - Complexity Literacy is like ______________ because: a forest
Ask participants to read theme 1 of the document (p. 3 & 4) addressing the rapid change and complexity of literacy today.
Ask participants which of the two images best reflects their interpretation of the reading and why
a forest
the human body

16. Ever Changing Definition
Michael O'Gorman
Pan Canadian Literacy Forum 2008
Ever Changing Definition
Webinar: Upload video in Media Browser or provide link to video to participants
Inform participants that they are going to view Superintendent Michael O’Gorman as he discusses the ever changing definition of literacy. The clip itself is 28 minutes long. Michael O’Gorman spoke at the Pan Canadian Literacy Forum in We will be watching a portion of the clip, should it interest you to do so, it can be viewed in its entirety on the CMEC website at
Post-viewing discussion: what does the evolving definition of literacy imply for your education context? Ask participants to share their thoughts and ideas aloud or via chat.
What does the evolving definition of literacy imply for your education context?

17. What’s Your Connection?
It is imperative that the education system prepare students for today and also for the ever-evolving future of tomorrow by ensuring students are able to…
A. Solve problems,
B. Think critically and creatively,
C. Collaborate and communicate,
D. Master digital literacy and
Know how to learn in diverse environments
Literacy First: A Plan for Action p.4
Alberta Education 2010
Instruct the participants to read final paragraph in theme 1, after they’ve completed reading poll the participants:
Ask participants to indicate which, of the five imperative (solve problems, think critically and creatively, collaborate and communicate, master digital literacy and now how to learn in diverse environments), spoke loudest to them: most challenging, most relevant, most exciting, etc.
When the polling is complete, ask participants to explain their reasoning for their choices. i.e. Of those who chose # E, who could share their reason?

18. Apply Your Understanding
How does this influence what you believe needs to be done to support student “literacy” learning?
Apply Your Understanding
Ask the participants: How will this discussion influence what you believe what needs to be done about it and how will you do this?
Monitor discussion listening for common themes/concerns to be used as you summarize the session. This is what I’m hearing…
Break Out Rooms

19. How do 21st Century Learners…
Acquire
Create
Meaning
This slide requires participants to shift from their own learning to that of their students.
Ask participants: How do 21st Century learners acquire, create, connect and communicate meaning?
Invite participants to record answers using the text tool in the boxes on the slide.
Discuss: What are the implications for education?
Connect
Communicate

20. View Multiple Literacies from 21st Century Learners' Perspectives
Preface the clip: Cheryl Prokopanko and a student named Chris spoke at the Pan Canadian Literacy Forum We will be watching a portion of the clip, should it interest you to do so it can be viewed in its entirety on the cmec website.
Post View conversation - provide 3-5 minutes for discussions. Be aware of time, but cautious to not stifle deeper thinking.

21. 21st Century Learner Literacy First: A Plan for Action p. 2
Display model from Inspiring Action on Education p9 also in Literacy First p. 2
Display competencies needed by 21st Century learners to be active participants in an increasingly knowledge-based and globalized society.
Ask participants to reflect on which competencies Chris (from previous video) displayed; which competencies their students/learners display?
Clip art put in the diagram.
Literacy First: A Plan for Action p. 2
Alberta Education 2010

22. Diversity & 21st Century Learners
Themes 2 & 4 –
Diversity & 21st Century Learners
2. The importance of building literacy skills in curriculum for all subjects and grades
4. Diversity of the Kindergarten to Grade 12 student population and the need for more literacy support for all learners
Explain to participants that they will be going into break out rooms with Theme 2 in one room and Theme 4 in another room.
Moderator-Allow participants to move themselves between rooms.
Explain to participants that they need to read themes 2 and 4 in the document.
Ask participants to identify the diversity with 21st century learners.
Use the margin notes on slide 15 to mark:
3 – points you find interesting
2 – points you find challenging
1 – point you believe is the essence
Ask for volunteers to share their responses.

23. Highlight green – interesting pink – challenging
Themes 2 & 4 - Diversity
Break Out Rooms
Highlight
green – interesting
pink – challenging
Explain to participants that they will be going into break out rooms with Theme 2 in one room and Theme 4 in another room.
Moderator-Allow participants to move themselves between rooms.
Explain to participants that they need to read themes 2 and 4 in the document.
Ask participants to identify the diversity with 21st century learners.
Use the margin notes on slide 15 to mark:
3 – points you find interesting
2 – points you find challenging
1 – point you believe is the essence
Ask for volunteers to share their responses.

24. green – interesting
pink – challenging

25. green – interesting
pink – challenging

26. Wish List for a 21st Century Classroom
Re-read the focus of today’s learning: How do 21st Century learners acquire, create, connect and communicate meaning? What are the implications for education?
Based on the information provided today, what would your ‘wish list’ look like to meet the needs and demands of the 21st Century learner?
Ask participants to respond using the text tool in Elluminate.

27. Further Learning Opportunities:
Learning Opportunity 1: Part 2 Literacy Competencies
Date: Literacy Competencies Webinar, November 2, 2011
Link