“Adult Illiteracy (Distance Learning).” Whatwhenhow RSS, what-when-how.com/distance-                 learning/ adult-illiteracy-distance-learning/.

This article analyzes adult illiteracy in America through the definition of the word “literacy”, statistical information, historical attempts to address the issue, causes of adult illiteracy, solutions to the problem, and goals for their future development.  They argue that adult literacy is crucial to function in society, where illiterates are often cheated out of better jobs, proper healthcare, and schooling for their children.  Due to over a fifth of the population being classified as illiterate, this issue needs to be addressed through various solutions.

Cardoza, Kavitha. “Turning The Page On Illiteracy, Adults Go Back To Class.” NPR, NPR, 31 Oct. 2013,www.npr.org/2013/10/31/241862699/turning-the-page-on-illiteracy-adults-go-back -to-class.

This article discussed two adults and their varying struggles with adult illiteracy, how this issue was caused since childhood, and the programs they participate in to learn to read.  The first adult, Shirley, never learned to read in school due to the lack of support in the special education programs.  She hid her illiteracy for 50 years due to embarrassment and thus was taken advantage of by her friends.  The adult literacy program has boosted her from a Kindergarten level to 2nd grade.  Jason, another illiterate learner, also felt idle in his special education classes at school and thus dropped out.  His career is at a stall because he cannot take the contractor’s license exam without acquiring the reading skill.  His two year training with a tutor has allowed him to write his own checks and even read a novel.  The point of this article is to prove that despite their past setbacks and struggles, adult programs allow illiterate adults another chance at life.

“Hidden Illiteracy: The Ignorance of Ignorance.” Hidden Illiteracy: Semi and Functionally Illiterate Definition | Applied Scholastics International, www.appliedscholastics.org/education-issues/hidden-illiteracy-the-ignorance-of-ignorance.html.

This educational source discusses what it believes is the most dangerous form of illiteracy- the hidden illiterate.  This person is ignorant of their own illiteracy because they are unaware of what they do not know, and thus hidden to the world as well.  According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, ⅔ of students are reading at a below proficient level, and most are unaware of their limitations.  This illiteracy transforms to broader areas such as health illiteracy, legal illiteracy, and more.  According to the late Hubbard, a literary scholar, the best method to combat this form of illiteracy is to clearly define words using the dictionary.  Without any confusion, the subjects are able to understand texts and continue to grow in their literacy paths to adulthood.

“What does it Mean to be Literate? | Silvia Tolisano- Langwitches Blog.” Silvia Tolisano

Langwitches, 28 Aug. 2010, langwitches.org/blog/2010/08/28/what-does-it-mean-to-be-literate/.

This article explains how the meaning of the word literate has evolved throughout time.  According to the dictionary, literary means read or write, however in this ever growing digital age; literacy has been transformed.  He uses an example of two monks- one monk uses scrolls, an ancient writing form, while the other monk uses the new technological form of books.  If the original monk refuses to write in books, does he become illiterate?  The author imposes this sample example upon the movement from printed literacy to digital literacy.

Signing off,

Delectable Danielle