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Literacy Is Still Not Enough
Foreword by George Saltsman
Six fluencies for today are examined with innovative steps to reflect social, cultural, and economic shifts. Practical resources feature Fluency Unit Plan Exemplars, assessment rubrics, and discussion questions.
- Grade Level: PreK-12
- ISBN: 9781544381268
- Published By: Corwin
- Year: 2021
- Page Count: 248
- Publication date: February 02, 2021
Price: $39.95
Review Copies
Review copies may be requested by individuals planning to purchase 10 or more copies for a team or considering a book for adoption in a higher ed course. To request a review copy, contact sales@corwin.com.
Description
While reading, writing, and arithmetic remain important, they are no longer enough. For learners to thrive, they must move beyond traditional literacies to modern fluencies—the unconscious mental processes that are learned, adapted, and applied in the context of real-world problems and challenges.
In this book, the authors unpack the fluencies (solution, information, creativity, communication, collaboration, and global citizenship) to reflect the relentless social, cultural, and economic shifts of modern times. Practical resources are presented alongside:
- Authentic Unit Plan Exemplars for each fluency
- Assessment rubric examples
- Discussion questions
Learners today must master an entirely different set of essential skills and knowledge needed to succeed than previous generations. This book provides a practical framework for integrating new fluencies into traditional curriculum.
Author(s)
Nicky Mohan
Ian Jukes
Ryan L. Schaaf
Ryan Schaaf is the Assistant Professor of Educational Technology at Notre Dame of Maryland University, and a faculty associate for the Johns Hopkins University School of Education Graduate Program, with over 15 years in the education field. Before higher education, Ryan was a 3rd-grade public school teacher, instructional leader, curriculum designer, and a technology integration specialist in Howard County, Maryland. In 2007, he was nominated for Howard county and Maryland Teacher of the Year.
In the past, Ryan has published several research articles in the New Horizons for Learning and the Canadian Journal of Action Research related to the use of digital games as an effective instructional strategy in the classroom.
Currently, he is overseeing and constructing peer-reviewed K-12 lesson units for the 21st Fluency Project, where he is also a featured contributor for the renowned Committed Sardine blog. He enjoys presenting sessions and keynotes about the potential for gaming in the classroom, the characteristics of 21st-century learning, and emerging technologies and trends in education.
Ryan is happily married to his beautiful wife Rachel and has two little boys that are his pride and joy. In his free time he enjoys fishing, exercising, gardening, and volunteering in local schools.
Table of Contents
Foreword
Preface: Evolution of the Fluencies
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
PART I: Setting the Scene for the Modern Fluencies
Chapter 1: Highly Educated Useless People
Introduction
Chapter 2: Education in the Age of Disruption
Disruptive Innovation
The iPhone as a Disruptor
Disruption Is Everywhere
What Is Exponential?
HyperInformation
Where Do We Begin?
Chapter 3: From Literacy to Fluency: The Starting Point
Literacy Is Still Not Enough
Conscious Application of Essential Skills
Unconscious Application of Essential Skills
Modern Learning Fluencies
The Path Forward
Chapter 4: Modern Learning Pedagogy and the Learning Progression
Learning Theorists and the Modern Fluencies
The Progression of Thought and Learning
The Role of Technology in the Modern Fluencies
Using Mental Processes
Heutagogy and the Fluencies
Modern Learning Skills
Context and Meaning: The Velcro of Learning
Chapter 5: Modern and Future-Ready Learning Environments
Types of Modern Learning Environments
It’s All About Mindsets, Not Materials or Miracles
Know Thy Learner: Cultural Competency
The Learning Space: Fabricating a Place of Imagination and Endless Potential
Essential Attributes of Modern Learning Environments
Screen Time
Cultivating Optimal Learning Environments
PART II: An Introduction to the Modern Fluencies
Chapter 6: Teaching and Learning Using the Modern Fluencies
What Are the 6 Modern Fluencies?
Why There Are Nine Steps to Each Fluency
Chapter 7: Solution Fluency: Real-World Problem Solving
Step 1: Define
Step 2: Determine
Step 3: Discover
Step 4: Dream
Step 5: Design
Step 6: Deliver
Step 7: Diagnose
Step 8: Debrief
Step 9: Decide
Chapter 8: Collaboration Fluency: Global Connections
Step 1: Explain
Step 2: Establish
Step 3: Explore
Step 4: Envision
Step 5: Engineer
Step 6: Execute
Step 7: Examine
Step 8: Evaluate
Step 9: Extend
Chapter 9: Information Fluency: InfoWhelm and HyperInformation
Step 1: Ask
Step 2: Audience
Step 3: Access
Step 4: Authenticate
Step 5: Assemble
Step 6: Apply
Step 7: Assess
Step 8: Analyze
Step 9: Action
Chapter 10: Communication Fluency: Text and Multimedia
Step 1: Pose
Step 2: Pinpoint
Step 3: Prepare
Step 4: Picture
Step 5: Plan
Step 6: Produce
Step 7: Probe
Step 8: Ponder
Step 9: Pledge
Chapter 11: Creativity Fluency: Innovation and Imagination
IQ versus CQ
Step 1: Illustrate
Step 2: Identify
Step 3: Inquire
Step 4: Imagine
Step 5: Initiate
Step 6: Implement
Step 7: Inspect
Step 8: Investigate
Step 9: Inspire
Chapter 12: Global Citizenship: Citizenship in the Digital Age
Cultivating Good Citizens Online and Offline
Thinking Globally, Acting Locally
Global Citizenship Passport
Chapter 13: Authentic Assessment: Techniques and Strategies
Summative and Formative Assessments
Authentic Assessment
Rubrics
Types of Rubrics
Creating Assessments and Rubrics Aligned to the Modern Fluencies
The Overview of the Unit: Full of Hot Air
The Importance of Peer and Self-Assessment
Feedback and Feedforward
Reflection
Tools for Formative Assessment and Rubrics
PART III: Moving Forward
Chapter 14: The Future of Education Is Now: Are You Ready?
An Overview of the Fluencies
When and How to Use the Fluencies
Today’s Learners Are Different
Chapter 15: Fluency Resources
Fluency Digital Libraries
Fluency Lesson Sparks
Fluency Lesson Planning Template
References
Reviews
A teacher’s job is no longer to dispense knowledge. Instead, it is to facilitate learning for students whose future world is changing exponentially. Literacy Is Still Not Enough is the right book at the right time to help us redouble our efforts to shift a multigenerational culture of learning that has been preparing students for a world that is in the rearview mirror.Jeff Remington,
Literacy is not enough! In spite of frequent critiques, schools are better at teaching simple reading and math skills than we have ever been. It is not enough! Literacy Is Still Not Enough shows how new fluencies drive success at all levels and shows the way to teach children the habits of mind that will define the new success. Well done on this rich reboot of a classicFran Murphy
Finally, a book that not only tells ‘why’ we need to teach the long-talked about 21st century learning skills, but much more critically ‘how.’ A masterful handbook for school leaders and school teachers. Essential reading!Andy Rankin,
The six fluencies are derived from an extensive review of global essential skills lists. This is an eminently practical resource that must be used to inform teacher training programs, which currently seem to lag behind the education young people need to successfully navigate life in the twenty-first century
This timely how-to guide is designed to help students, teachers, and schools effectively manage the many challenges of a world experiencing the profound disruption and ongoing reconfiguration of COVID-19 times. Learning the essential fluencies leads to the development of practical teaching and learning constructs based on modern learning skills that will enable successful and productive global citizenship for the modern, ever changing world.Mike Frost,
The six fluencies are derived from an extensive review of global essential skills lists. This is an eminently practical resource that must be used to inform teacher training programs, which currently seem to lag behind the education young people need to successfully navigate life in the twenty-first century
The initial publication of Literacy Is Not Enough had a profound impact on me as an educational leader, my colleagues, and my students. I am elated that Mohan, Jukes, and Schaaf updated this instructional gem.
The content and resources are innovative and appropriately presented for educators teaching in an unpredictable and ever-changing world—a visionary resource for the future of learning.
I have implemented the 9Ds of Solution Fluency in three different school settings with great success. My students have thrived and flourished using the carefully crafted learning progressions for inspiring real-world learning experiences.Dany Coelho,
The initial publication of Literacy Is Not Enough had a profound impact on me as an educational leader, my colleagues, and my students. I am elated that Mohan, Jukes, and Schaaf updated this instructional gem.
The content and resources are innovative and appropriately presented for educators teaching in an unpredictable and ever-changing world—a visionary resource for the future of learning.
Literacy Is Still Not Enough is a provocative read that not only opens many new discussions, and addresses topics left unanswered from the past, but also provided me with strategies to move to new levels of engagement and competencies. This book is a must-read for all in education.Lisa Holmes
Literacy Is Still Not Enough is an important and timely book that makes a compelling case for embracing an ever-evolving understanding of what it means to be literate in today’s highly visual and hyper-connected world. But beyond being a framework for establishing new foundations of literacy that meet the world where it is today, the book champions the use of authentic learning projects which are able to demonstrate relevance and context to today’s learners. This book is recommended reading for educators who not only want to better prepare their students for today’s landscape of communication, creativity, employment and global awareness, but to do so through projects that matter.Nikos Theodosakis
As an educator in an ever-changing world, this book reinforced the need for problem-focused learning. The 9Ds process for real-world problem-solving provides a road map for student success. My head was spinning with new ideas to make learning in my classroom more relevant by focusing on the six modern fluencies. My copy will be placed in an easy-to-grab location to use as a guide when designing any and all new units.
Mohan, Jukes, and Schaaf provide a deep look into the challenges that are making it hard for students to be successful when they leave the classroom. Fortunately, they provide clear and concise steps to allow students to learn independently through the 9Ds process ensuring the development of the modern fluencies. This book is a must-read for any educator who wants to disrupt the field of education and support students in thriving beyond life in the classroom.
The book is a helpful guide for designing units that emphasize developing higher-order independent thinking skills through explicit, organized steps, unit examples, and practical assessment strategies. The only reason I wanted to put the book down was to create fluency units that promote active, engaged, higher-level thinking in today’s and tomorrow’s learners.
This book is for any educational stakeholder who no longer believes ‘the way we’ve always done it’ is a good enough basis for an educational decision. Mohan, Jukes, and Schaaf have developed a pedagogical solution by reimagining the six modern fluencies. Their 9Ds process for real-world problem solving ensures that students are competent in the essential skills they will need after graduation.Becky Zayas
As an educator in an ever-changing world, this book reinforced the need for problem-focused learning. The 9Ds process for real-world problem-solving provides a road map for student success. My head was spinning with new ideas to make learning in my classroom more relevant by focusing on the six modern fluencies. My copy will be placed in an easy-to-grab location to use as a guide when designing any and all new units.
Mohan, Jukes, and Schaaf provide a deep look into the challenges that are making it hard for students to be successful when they leave the classroom. Fortunately, they provide clear and concise steps to allow students to learn independently through the 9Ds process ensuring the development of the modern fluencies. This book is a must-read for any educator who wants to disrupt the field of education and support students in thriving beyond life in the classroom.
The book is a helpful guide for designing units that emphasize developing higher-order independent thinking skills through explicit, organized steps, unit examples, and practical assessment strategies. The only reason I wanted to put the book down was to create fluency units that promote active, engaged, higher-level thinking in today’s and tomorrow’s learners.
Review Copies
Review copies may be requested by individuals planning to purchase 10 or more copies for a team or considering a book for adoption in a higher ed course. To request a review copy, contact sales@corwin.com.
Related Resources
- Access to companion resources is available with the purchase of this book.
- From Literacy to Fluency [Book Excerpt]