Multi-literate Teacher of the 21st Century


(PRESS RELEASE)

Educators and scholars worldwide have acknowledged the inadequacy of traditional competencies and literacies in coping with the demands of the times, especially with the advent of information and communication technologies. According to UNESCO, literacy is a plural and dynamic concept, and there is no single notion of literacy but multiple literacies. 

To develop a multi-literate society, we first need to develop multi-literate teachers. Thus, the Philippine Association for Teacher Education (PAFTE) has adopted “Leading in the Formation of the Multi-literate Teacher Educator of the 21st Century” as the theme for its 40th Annual Convention.

Dr. Florentino H. Hornedo, UNESCO Commissioner, a prolific writer, scholar and a Palanca awardee for literature, and Hon. Salvador H. Escudero III, Representative of the first district of Sorsogon and Chairman of the Committee on Basic Education and Culture of the House of Representatives, are the keynote speakers for the first two days of the convention.

The various dimensions of literacy which will be discussed by invited experts are Cyberliteracy (Cynthia Grace Diaz), Media and Information Literacy (Ramon R. Tuazon), Financial (Economic, Business and Entrepreneurial Literacy – Avelina De La Rea),  Health Literacy (Carolina C. Porio), Music Literacy (Corazon P. Kabayao), and Multilingual Education (Dina S. Ocampo).  How to make television more learner (child)-friendly will also be discussed by Frank G. Rivera of the National Council for Children’s Television.

Department of Education Undersecretary Yolanda S. Quijano will give an update on the K to 12 Curriculum, while Dr. Paraluman R. Giron, the Chairperson of the K to 12 Technical Working Group will discuss how multiple literacies are being integrated into the emerging new basic education curriculum.

Updates on teacher education will be discussed by Teacher Education Council (TEC) Executive Director Dr. Beatriz G. Torno, CHED Technical Panel for Education member Dr. Amor Q. De Torres, and the Director of the Center for Teaching Excellence, Dr. Purita P. Bilbao.

The 40th PAFTE National Annual Convention will be held on 17-19 October 2011 at the Diamond Hotel in Manila.