literacy and the new generations: mccrindle research
TRANSCRIPT
-
8/2/2019 Literacy and the New Generations: McCrindle Research
1/20
-
8/2/2019 Literacy and the New Generations: McCrindle Research
2/20
Chapter 9
LiteracyFor as long as we can remember, there have been concerns
about supposed declining literacy standards. Some blame
teaching methods and, others, teachers.
More recently, the media have said technology is to blame, that
too much texting has caused young people to frgt hw 2 wrt prprly. Has
-
8/2/2019 Literacy and the New Generations: McCrindle Research
3/20
word up
students with grammar and composition areas that have traditionally
been the focus of primary education.119
Perhaps the problem lies in the changing status of tertiary educa-
tion. University has become the normative education pathway from
year 12 in recent years, and it is no longer only those who learn best
through the structured, auditory teaching style of academia who go on
to higher education. Indeed, nearly half of all year 12 graduates now
continue their education at university.
Despite dissatisfaction with current literacy standards, year 12
retention rates and tertiary participation have never been higher.
Since the late 60s, year 12 retention rates have increased from 20% to
around 80%,120 while 38% of those aged 25 to 34 years have tertiary
qualications, compared to 24% of those aged 55 to 64.121 On the
face of it, if people are spending longer at school without emerging
more literate and learned, then education must have deteriorated in
l i Th i b hi d h d li d
-
8/2/2019 Literacy and the New Generations: McCrindle Research
4/20
lIteracy
The teaching of reading and writing:past and present comparisonsMethods of teaching English in schools have changed over the years,
but how exactly? Below, differences are identied between the English
curriculum of the 1950s and of today. We have referred to the NewSouth Wales Curriculum for Primary Schools, published in 1952, and theNew
South Wales K-6 English Syllabus, rst published in 1998.
1 Oral expression correct orms o speech v. context ospeech
Past: Children were taught correct sound formation (e.g. th
instead of f ) and expression (e.g. the use of has and have).
Present: Children are taught about different spoken texts (e.g.
i ) d
-
8/2/2019 Literacy and the New Generations: McCrindle Research
5/20
word up
3 Spelling and writing memory v. drawing on knowledgeo dierent strategies
Past: The look, cover, write and check method was taught. A
familiar word was written on the blackboard and the teacher would
pronounce it. The pupil then studied the word, following which it was
covered and the pupil asked to write it from memory.Present: Students spell words by drawing on knowledge of the
various blends, letter combinations, long vowel sounds, sight words,
letter/sound correspondences and other strategies. Students are taught
how texts differ according to their purpose, audience and subject
matter.
4 Grammar systematic v. practical instructionPast: Children in the earlier grades were taught the correct use of
capital letters and full stops, as well as the proper forms of speech. In
-
8/2/2019 Literacy and the New Generations: McCrindle Research
6/20
lIteracy
Picturebooks
Potter, Beatrix, Peter Rabbit
Milne, A.A., Winnie the Pooh
Little Golden Books:
The Sleepy Little Lion
The Three Bears
The Little Red Hen
The Three Pigs
Present: Stories often deal with social issues such as gender (e.g.
stereotyping) and violence (e.g. bullying).
Fairytales/make-believe
Wild, M., My Dearest Dinosaur
Williams, J., The Prophecy
-
8/2/2019 Literacy and the New Generations: McCrindle Research
7/20
word up
The Reading Wars:Whole Language v. PhonicsTransition of teaching methods
Pre-1950s Phonics method
195080 Whole word method
1980late 90s Whole language method
Today Balanced method
From the 1950s until recently, Australian schools favoured the wholeword and whole language methods over the phonics-based system to
teach children how to read and write. The whole language method
minimises both decoding (phonics) and repetition (whole words).126
Children learn how to read and write through exposure rather than
-
8/2/2019 Literacy and the New Generations: McCrindle Research
8/20
lIteracy
The successful teaching methods used at Belleld Primary are
supported by the ndings of a report released by the government in2005, titled Teaching Reading.129 The inquiry into literacy and subsequent
report were sparked by the alarming statistic that 20% of school leavers
are functionally illiterate.130 It concluded that the whole language
method was not in the best interests of students and that phonics
instruction was necessary for foundational reading prociency. Thereport noted that the whole language method especially disadvan-
tages children who start school without acquiring any literacy skills at
home an unfortunate possibility in low socio-economic areas such
as Belleld.131 The ndings of Teaching Reading were similar to those
of national surveys conducted in the USA and UK.132 The methods
implemented at Belleld also support a body of research which has
found that systematic phonics instruction is particularly benecial to
children who are experiencing reading difculties.
-
8/2/2019 Literacy and the New Generations: McCrindle Research
9/20
word up
Back to Basics:Reading, Writing and ArithmeticUntil 2005, the amount of time spent on each subject taught in New
South Wales primary schools was not xed. According to some this
meant that children were not getting enough of the basics, whilenon-essential studies such as recycling and road safety were taking
up valuable schools hours. Since then, the basics reading, writing
and arithmetic have been allocated 55% of the school week in New
South Wales classrooms.133 More recently, the Deputy Prime Minister
at the time, Julia Gillard, vowed to bring back phonics and grammar in
a national curriculum.134
The back to basics debate is reignited every now and then often
informing education policy. This is driven largely by concerns of the
-
8/2/2019 Literacy and the New Generations: McCrindle Research
10/20
lIteracy
Public v. PrivateMany parents continue to pay for private coaching,136 with one infour children receiving extra tutoring during their schooling.137 Is this
because parents feel their children are not being adequately instructed
in the core subject areas?
Not necessarily. It says more about parents expectations than educa-
tion standards. There are a lot of options for todays parents to choose
from and they want to be sure their children have the best education
available. Gen X-er parents are more able to provide this for their chil-
dren (thanks in part to the education their Boomer parents provided),
being on average older and more nancially stable than their own
parents were at the same stage in their lives. Enrolments in government
schools have dropped from 73.5% in 1986 to 67% today137 as more
parents choose non-Government schools.136 According to our education
-
8/2/2019 Literacy and the New Generations: McCrindle Research
11/20
word up
2. In half of the teaching courses, less than 5% of course time was
spent preparing teacher students to teach reading.3. Fewer than a third of senior teaching staff believe teacher gradu-
ates are adequately prepared to teach reading.131
Because younger primary teachers were taught the whole language
method of reading and writing, some may have difculty implementing
a phonics centred English curriculum.
It does need to be said, however, that todays teachers face greater
challenges in teaching their young pupils, and should be credited for
this. Support from parents is generally less, while parents are more
demanding than ever; class sizes have increased; teachers are con-
stantly under the scrutiny of superiors, the media and parents, and they
often have to deal with disruptive and troubled pupils, while modes of
discipline are fewer than in the past. Its important to keep in mind that
improving literacy standards is not just the job of the teacher. Parents,
-
8/2/2019 Literacy and the New Generations: McCrindle Research
12/20
lIteracy
-
8/2/2019 Literacy and the New Generations: McCrindle Research
13/20
word up
Type of text 1967 Today
Poetry 1. Francis Beaumont, English(15841616)2. Siegried Sassoon, English(18861967)3. Georey Chaucer, English(13431400)4. Alexander Pope, English
(16881744)5. Samuel Coleridge, English(17721834)6. John Keats, English(17951821)7. Kenneth Slessor, Australian(19011971)
1. Bruce Dawe, Australian(1930)2. Samuel Wagan Watson,Australian (1972)3. Deb Westbury, Australian(1963)4. Wilred Owen, English
(18931918)5. Komninos Zervos, Australian(1950)6. Steven Herrick, Australian(1958)
Drama 1. Hamletby William Shakespeare, English(15641616)2. Romeo and Julietby William Shakespeare, English(15641616)
1. Stolenby Jane Harrison, Australian(1960)2. The Clubby David Williamson, Australian(1942)
-
8/2/2019 Literacy and the New Generations: McCrindle Research
14/20
lIteracy
Non-Fiction 1. An excerpt rom Lincolns
Gettysburg address2. Excerpt rom Shaws preace toThe Apple Cart
1. Maybe Tomorrowby Boori
(Monty) Pryor, Australian (1950)2. Into the Wildby Jon Krakauer,American (1954)3. One Mans Warby Stan Arneil,Australian (19181992)
The differences in the two reading lists are indicative of the changesthat have taken place over the 40 years between them. Australia has
become a multicultural society embracing the people and customs
from countries all over the globe, and increasingly less inuenced by
British culture. We have also taken more pride in home grown talent
shaking off cultural cringe and nding our own voice. And while
classic literature may inculcate a more formal approach to the English
language, modes of expression have changed since then people
appreciate the genuine over the proper.
-
8/2/2019 Literacy and the New Generations: McCrindle Research
15/20
word up
There is one area that technology is certainly inuencing. While
young people may be able to type 50 plus words a minute, their hand-writing leaves much to be desired. This is mainly because computers
have replaced the handwritten school assignment. Also, the foundation
style of handwriting has replaced the cursive handwriting style of the
recent past. The foundation style is much more plain and requires
less time and skill to master. While many are saddened that the art ofbeautiful handwriting is dying, it must be understood that there are
now fewer occasions where we are required to write by hand.
Manildra Public is one example of schools increasingly doing away
with pen and paper as classrooms turn digital. At this rural school in
New South Wales, students use the internet, word processing, desktop
publishing and photo software to complete tasks, while in creative
writing classes students can voice narration into a microphone. The
principal, Steve Wilkinson, says now he never has to battle to get
[students] interested [in their studies].139
-
8/2/2019 Literacy and the New Generations: McCrindle Research
16/20
lIteracy
-
8/2/2019 Literacy and the New Generations: McCrindle Research
17/20
word up
themes present in Dr Faustus (using examples) in a job interview? Or
even the correct usage of a coordinating conjunction in a sentence?
Technological skills are developing earlier, with a new generation
becoming immersed in technology younger then ever. If society is
going to attach more importance to technological ability than language
ability, then we have only ourselves to blame for the shortcomings of
younger generations.I watch with fascination my own three-year-old son Brighton inter-
act with the touch screens in his world. He is very adept at picking up
the iPhone and navigating his way to his favourite game, Angry Birds
(which is an interest he shares with Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who
rates this game as her favourite too). He is so capable of icking through
these touch screens, Ive seen him try to change the channels on the TV
by making the same nger swipe. In fact, these touch screen natives
expect all glass to come to life at the swipe action (Im waiting for the
-
8/2/2019 Literacy and the New Generations: McCrindle Research
18/20
conclusIon
ConclusionEnglish is our common code, its the communication medium that
binds our community together. Bridging the diversity of age, ethnic
background, gender and socio-economics, English is a link to the pastand a bridge to the future, so it is important that it is maintained.
But the English language is a dynamic one. Its strength is in the
ability of its structure to ex to meet the needs of changing technology
and changing times.
Its a resilient language which works across different countries, back-
grounds and generations. English is also an inclusive and innovative
language. Critical to the DNA of English is its ability to accommodate
new words,and words from other languages, and to t existing words
to new situations. English is not owned by a particular class, age, era or
CONDUCTING WORLD CLASS RESEARCH
-
8/2/2019 Literacy and the New Generations: McCrindle Research
19/20
Our specialty is in turning research into summary reports, A5 handout
cards, slide shows, sales tools, white-label reports & video bries.
Were experts in making research fnding compelling in keynotes,
worksops & executive briefngs. Mark McCrindle & his team have a
reputation as standout presenters.
Research is most useul when all stakeholders hear the insights.
We help by addressing research launches, media events, company
meetings and industry think-tanks.
Media activity requires new, robust, independent research with a
great angle and a trusted commentator. As the gold standard in
research, this is what we deliver.
PRESENTATIONS & WORKSHOPS
PUBLICATIONS & REPORTS
PR & MEDIA COMMENTARY
EVENTS & LAUNCHES
CONDUCTING WORLD CLASS RESEARCH
COMMUNICATING INSIGHTS IN INNOVATIVE WAYS
QUANTITATIVE STRATEGICQUALITATIVE
researchrooms.com
online surveys
data analysis
in-depth reports
media releases
focus groups
in-depth interviews
community forums
interactive technologies
trends forecasts
demographic analysis
customer segmentation
market research
mccrindle.com.au freecall: 1800 TRENDSmccrindle.com.au | [email protected] | freecall: 1800 TRENDS
ORDER FORMBOOKS
-
8/2/2019 Literacy and the New Generations: McCrindle Research
20/20
ORDER FORM
FULL NAME: MOBILE:
EMAIL:
ORGANISATION:
POSTAL ADDRESS:
CITY:
STATE:
POSTCODE:
TELEPHONE: FAX:
ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER (EFT) Please deposit funds to:
ACC NAME: McCrindle Research BSB: 032-078 ACC NUMBER: 308 562
Enter name in EFT description box, or fax remittance to 02 8824 3566
PLEASE INVOICE ME: We will send an invoice to your address above.
CARDHOLDER NAME SIGNATURE
CARD NUMBER EXPIRY DATE
CREDIT CARD: VISA MASTERCARD DINERSAMEX
(Please make payable to McCrindle Research)CHEQUE enclosed for $
PAYMENT OPTIONS
YOUR DETAILS
$30.00 each
$22.50 for 4+
$30.00 each
$22.50 for 4+
$24.95 each
$22.50 for 4+
QTY: QTY: QTY:
POSTAGE (select the one appropriate for your order)
TOTAL
PRICE:$< $50 $7.00
$50 - $99 $12.00
$100+ Free
TOTAL ORDER PRICE
All prices are GST inclusive. For more information please contact McCrindle Research
P: 1800 TRENDS (1800 873 637) E: [email protected] W: mccrindle.com.au
BOOKS
The ABC of XYZ: Understanding the Global Generations by Mark
McCrindle, with Emily Wolfinger. 238 pages. Published by UNSWPress, 2011. RRP $30.00
From explaining the labels and quantifying the numbers to outlining
the definitive events of each generation, the best-selling The ABC of
XYZ is a comprehensive and fascinating look at the generations.
The ABC of XYZ is a rollicking journey across time, generations and values that
has been forensically dissected by one of the best social analysts i n Australia.
Bernard Salt, Demographer & columnist; Partner, KPMG
The Power of Good: True stories of great kindness from total
strangers by Mark McCrindle. 232 pages. Published by Hybrid
Publishers, 2011. RRP $24.95
Seventy short, heart-warming stories of acts of kindness by strangers
with contributions by prominent Australians, including Jean Kittson,
Peter FitzSimons, Tracey Spicer, Father Chris Riley, and many others.
This book provides many examples of the power of doing good works, the
betterment conferred in so many different ways and, on occasions, leading to
the saving of lives. Tim Fischer A.C. Former Deputy Prime Minister
Word Up: A Lexicon and Guide to Communication in the 21st
Centuryby Mark McCrindle. 208 pages. Published by Halstead Press,2011. RRP $30.00
A fascinating insight into how English changes, a quirky look at youth
slang today, and a window into the minds of the different generations.
Mark McCrindle deserves a medal. Mapless, hes entered the alien t errains of
text-speak, web slang, Gen-Z dialect, among other domains, and returned with
a guidebook should we ever lose our way.
David Astle, Co-host of Letters and Numbers (SBS TV),columnist and crossword compiler
Post to: PO Box 7702 Baulkham Hills 2153, NSW | Fax to: +61 2 8824 3566 | Email: [email protected]