You are a lifelong learner; and literacy is a lifelong skill! Some people, depending on background, define literacy as the ability to read, write and compute using numbers. Others think in terms of reading only. Take a walk down memory lane.

"School days, school days

They were golden rule days.

Reading and 'Riting and 'Rithmetic

Taught by a tutor with hickory stick..."

The idea of slates were before many who read this article were born. Hickory stick may have been foreign to your school days. but those who have read Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn may be able to relate to the fact that teachers in the schools of yesteryear were strict disciplinarians. Did the students learn more during that era? Continue the memory lane stroll.

Before the advent of modern technology, literacy played a critical role in nation building. The story of Abraham Lincoln and the one room school tells about the simplicity of life. Many like Abraham Lincoln had a passion for learning. Slaves struggled for freedom; and for most of them, it was the ability to read and write and master numeracy. This achievement set them apart; and they could share the knowledge with others. Those who were unable to read, write and count had no voice in society - whether slave or free. Thus, the cry for literacy resounded as a strong voice. Learning the basic skills became an honour in every country around the globe. People developed ambitions - to be among the educated gentry. One book that served well as a reader was the Bible. Being able to read the Bible or passages from it generated itinerant preachers.

However, literacy provokes a long journey. Those who live in communities and households with elderly residents can learn from them about the vicissitudes they encountered during their quest for an education. During a period without the modern conveniences, many travelled long distances to a schoolhouse. Walking seven miles to school seems like a hardship to some; but those who needed the thirst for learning quenched made the journey daily - often barefeet or in makeshift shoes. Leather shoes were reserved for church according to many from the era prior to 1950s. Some from rural communities tell of having to complete chores before leaving for school and facing more chores after they arrived from school. In addition, there was school work.

What was school like for many who did not have to wonder Why Johnny Can't Read? Everyone had to learn vocabulary. Not only did they learn the meaning of the words, they had to spell them accurately. Literacy is meaningless without this vital pair. Vocabulary is a list of words that an individual knows and recognizes as well as understands. Yes, students had to look and say. Students were taught diacritical marks and how to break words into syllables. Recitation demanded the ability to read and remember. How much did the student understand? Testing was simple. Write a summary or precis. Answer a series of questions using sentences. Guessing using eeny, meeny, minney, mo was not an option then.

Large classes did not impede learning. Everyone was expected to perform well in order to advance to the next grade level. My Dad told me of being in a class with fifty students! Were they a noisy class? Those who lacked discipline among the boys received 'tightened britches'. The bamboo cane,similar to the hickory stick, spoke to them.Girls were punished too ; but making an example of someone proved effective in communicating the message that school was an environment for learning. Students took pride in penmanship, which was taught in conjunction with poetry and other literature. Elocution provided a more creative and expressive form of communication rather than the simple recitation.

Nature Study enabled students to explore the natural environment. Most of all, everyone participated in survival skills or trade. Boys learned carpentry, masonry,art, drawing and skills that empowered them to earn an income. Girls were trained in housekeeping skills, sewing and embroidery.Everyone received character training based on biblical principles.

Do you want to know some of the problems with literacy today? Life is too easy; and the thirst for learning is not as visual as that of a dog panting for water. Instead, students pant for the electronics. Good learning is motivated by curiosity - an initiative to find out more information. They do not experience dyslexia, ADD or ADHD when they are engrossed in Grand Theft Auto or some other pleasurable activity on video games... Nintendo, XBox or PlayStation.Granted, there may be students who experience this problem. But according to Thomas Armstrong, ADD and ADHD are myths.

What these players, who can spend hours playing a game, watching television, texting a friend or using the internet do not realize is that people in other countries,many whose primary language is not English, are seizing the opportunity to learn English and use their brain to make an income . Youth, especially in Western cultures, are spending billions of dollars for leisurely and not necessarily educational pursuits. What are native English speakers doing to enhance their learning experiences? Using a joystick - which has an apt appellation? Where are the inventors and scientists of the present and future?

On commercials, it is evident that families are equipped with a phone for each member; and they share the minutes. Society demands that young and old possess a telephone. However, with a cell phone easily accessible, texting is now the language of teens and young adults. Being able to send a text message is like knowing a new language! Since the number of characters are limited, vowels and punctuation are removed from messages.

An ignorant adult who sees 'pita' may think it is a type of bread; but it means something different! Of course context may provide a clue to the meaning. But while an older adult may think 'lol' is lots of love, the younger generation is laughing out loud! Does texting help students who are confronted with an essay or a report?They are used to concise messages with no punctuation and they lose their sentence sense. Spelling becomes a serious problem too. However, the conscientious texter may move easily between the two languages.

Numeracy is a problem for many students. A cadre of students who can hold their own while texting or talking on a cell phone may write 400307 for 437 not because of any learning difficulty. They can learn the words to a favourite song or even the songs on their ipod. Why then is the concept of numbers so difficult? Did none of the teaching through the years make an impact on their understanding of numbers? The problem with many youth is selective memory and selective learning. They hear,see and do what pleases them. Yes, learning styles and left-right brain learning play a role. But, when all is said and done, literacy is a choice - a burning desire, a quest. It demands sacrifice and having a fixed focus on the true north of achievement as the primary goal.

An article which appeared in1955 alerted parents and educators to a critical situation. The associated book was entitled Why Johnny Can't Read.Even today, some educators are stumped by the fact that even theories and research cannot explain why there are nonreaders and poor readers in the educational system. The author indicated that readers needed to know phonetics. But, some words are not prone to phonics and must be learned by sight. Additionally, some students respond to phonics poorly.

Another researcher indicated that learning style was the answer. Students are different and learn in a variety of ways.In the school of yesteryear, children sang their multiplication tables; and a one hundred year old resident in the community where I live still know and can sing them! They sang history fact and other information. But, learning style is not the final answer for there are emotional factors. In the early 90s, researchers discovered ADD and ADHD as a cause for learning and behavioural problems. However, one writer has debunked ADD and ADHD as a myth. Parents and teachers regard the disorders as real. Ritalin is the popular drug for treatment; but no doubt, there are others.

Are there any answers to this dilemma? During a recent visit to Maryland, I attended a seminar conducted by Betty Caldwell on successful test taking -stressless tests. Her approach was that the left brain and right brain have distinct functions and are actively involved in learning,one's talents and abilities as well as habits.Those who are procrastinators and disregard rules,for example, have to work consistently to develop those weak areas. Complete assignments and review work regularly. Follow instructions.Many students , in my experience,fail a.test or an examination because they neglect the basic rubrics.The 'instant' society mentality clouds their literacy and logic. As a result, they see what they expect to see but not necessarily what is on the paper. Instead of using just left or right brain, students need to apply whole brain. Whole Language uses the idea of transferring knowledge across the curriculum.

Even with all the theories and modern technologies, many educators and parents still do not understand why the Johnnys and Janes in their life cannot read. Many  students can sound out words and call them ; but they do not understand their meaning because of a limited vocabulary and poor spelling skills. Adults and students are still confused by there and their, accept and except, as and has and many more confusing words. Thus, what is the future trend in a society where the goal is that no child is to be left behind? Is it longer school hours - from 7:30 a.m to 5:30 p.m and shorter summer holidays? Is it no holiday for those who are failing in core subjects?Should parents be required to take a more active role in the life of their child/children?

The present recession has resulted in job loss. Mothers have been encouraged to return to college and upgrade their education. Why? Most mothers head single parent homes and are the breadwinner for the family. Long distance education is popular '; and earning a degree online has emerged as a trend. Is the traditional classroom disappearing quietly? There is an Arizona charter school that has recruited Ivy League teachers ; and their success rate is phenomenal. Will more charter schools enter the educational arena?

A recent news story tels of a young man who lost a fingertip in an accident and was able to grow the fingertip within weeks! The Bionic Man with Lee Major and the Bionic Woman with Jamie Somers seemed like real life entertainment - in contrast to Batman, Superman and the Incredible Hulk - years ago.Today, scientific advances make it possible to have body implants - and nobody aware of it- unless publicized in the media. Considering that the school environment has been endangered by fights, stabbings and homicides, it is easy to imagine a classless school. Immunization and vaccinations are routine, so it will not be difficult to implant a chip with information on each person - whether newborn or a senior citizen - under the skin. Cameras are everywhere- on the street, in buildings, in homes and even built into computers. Chips, cameras, satellites  and genetic engineering will prove priceless in the future literacy challenge

What is the next step? Individualized, impersonal instruction will be available to all based on data - precise information from the  implanted chip. Homeschoolers abound now. Students will own an upgraded notebook,ipod or cell phone that will enable them to progress at their own pace, enjoy the educational pursuits that interests them and forget about the restraints of a school day. For once, students will enjoy a great virtual day! Parents will be free to pursue their online jobs; and literacy as practiced in the 21st Century will be a memory like Beowulf, Chaucer and Shakespeare!Until then, seize the day and read the myriad of intriguing articles on Hubpages.Leave your footprints in the annals of time by writing a comment.