Does the buzz of a drone excite you, or better still, are you skilful enough to fly one?

Can you create an app or use augmented reality (AR)/virtual reality (VR) technology to create specified content/messages or deliver/demand services?

Emerging trends in robotics, artificial intelligence (AI) and other ‘disruptive’ technologies demanding such specified skills are becoming more popular and increasing in usage, especially among the millennial generation. Though such technologies are available for the masses, the millennials seem to be able to learn faster, and are more literate, at utilising such technologies for creative and varied purposes.

The above-mentioned demographic group would fit like a glove under the theme of this year’s International Literacy Day, which is ‘Literacy in a Digital World’. It is celebrated on 8th September every year after being made official by UNESCO in 1965. The aim of its celebration is to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies, more so in managing the current changes and challenges.

The word ‘literacy’ commonly refers to skills learned by an individual to gain access to knowledge and information. In the late 19th century, one who is literate is considered to be ‘well-educated’ and ‘learned’.

Onwards into the mid-20th century, the definition has been expanded to describe as having the cognitive ability to ‘read and write text, and to be knowledgeable or educated in a particular field or fields’.

Malaysia was recently ranked, alongside other countries, and placed at #53 in the list of the World’s Most Literate Nations (WMLN). Out of the 61 countries ranked in the list, there were three other ASEAN member countries, namely Singapore (#36), Thailand (#59) and Indonesia (#60). Finland was the top country in the list, with USA at #6 and the UK at #27.

The rankings were compiled by the Central Connecticut State University (CCSU), USA and were determined using currently available databases on aspects relating to computers, education system-inputs, libraries, newspapers and education-test scores.

The Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Professor Datuk Dr. Asma Ismail, in her speeches and talks, has often times emphasised on the need for students and other groups in society to continually learn, re-learn, un-learn and co-learn.

In acquiring new knowledge and skills, they can also gain new (and hopefully positive) insights and viewpoints into various areas of involvement in their lives. They can therefore ‘design’ and shape themselves to become better individuals, with an enhanced outlook of the future, rather than just merely relying on fate in shaping their lives.

The future of mankind would require not only advancements in technology, but also development in man’s values and morality. University students therefore, need to understand that they should graduate by design, and not by chance.

With education serving as the underlying factor in the promotion of a literate society, it is crucial for us to look at how the education system can be further improved to fulfil the demands and needs of society and the country. As said by Paulo Freire, having ‘critical literacy’ skills would allow the individual to contribute to the socio-economic development of a nation, with the individual having the capacity for social awareness and critical reflection to further initiate personal or social changes.

The General Conference of UNESCO, in 1978, has also adopted a definition of ‘functional literacy’, in describing on how an individual having such skills should be able to function in society. The definition, in use until today, states that a person who is functionally literate can engage actively in pursuits which can bring personal and social benefits; and in enabling him to continue using reading, writing and calculation skills to spur his own and the community’s development.

In ensuring the growth of a highly-literate society, it would currently require them to know more than one language and more than one way of communicating. As they become bi- or multi-lingual, they can communicate and interact better with the different demographic groups they come in contact with. This could lead to better understanding and tolerance among the different communities, and which could in turn promote cooperation and unity.

The ability to use new communication technologies such as the internet, multimedia and digital media would create different ways of conveying messages and sharing knowledge and understanding each other. Utilising text, speech, along with other sounds and images would bring about different contexts in communication.

It is therefore essential for the modern society to be multi-literate, or empowered, as said by James Paul Gee, in making use of the various skills acquired and in deciding whether they could be meaningful and beneficial, as they go through their social realities daily.

It would be necessary for them to have multi-literacy skills to be able to contribute and grow in the public and professional domains. This would ensure that the nation would be developed in a more sustainable manner, and to be able to face greater challenges and disruptions in the future.

Text: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin