21st Century Literacy

• In June 1996, the U.S. Department of Education defined technology literacy as "computer skills and the ability to use computers and other technology to improve learning, productivity, and performance." The Partnership for 21st Century Skills, a collaboration among the DOE, education nonprofits and major U.S. technology companies, stresses the importance of technology literacy. "Every child in the U.S. needs 21st century knowledge and skills to succeed as effective citizens, workers and leaders."
  
  

Technology Literacy Skills

• The Partnership for 21st Century Skills is helping English teachers transform their teaching to support this new literacy. In addition to the traditional skills of the language arts, literature and reading curricula, technology literacy places heavy emphasis on what the International Technology Education Association calls the Four Cs: communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. On April 23, 2009, in collaboration with the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, NCTE unveiled its own comprehensive curriculum framework aligned with technology literacy objectives.
  
  

New English Objectives

• NCTE's framework encourages English teachers to adopt technology-centered learning objectives. Its overall purpose is to help students become proficient with technology tools to seek out information, organize it and communicate it using various media. NCTE also urges teachers to help students become discriminating and analytical in their research, use and critique of multimedia.