The construct of media and information literacy in Singapore education system: global trends and local policies

Author

Tzu-Bin Lina, Intan Azura Mokhtarb and Li-Yi Wangc

Year

2013

Publisher

Asia Pacific Journal of Education

DOI/Link

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Abstract

This paper discusses the representation of information literacy and media literacy in the
Singapore education discourse as part of its twenty-first century competencies
framework. Through examining the conceptual definitions, purposes/aims, and means
of these two significant twenty-first century competencies in the global context and the
Singapore education policy, the authors argue that despite both information literacy
and media literacy have been widely recognized as crucial skills in the knowledge
based economy, they are perceived as separate concepts, given differentiated emphasis,
and implemented using similar approaches by various governmental and educational
agencies in Singapore. To facilitate the acquisition of these critical competencies, this
paper argues that an overarching framework featuring the seamless integration of
information and media literacy in school curricula and public education needs to be in
place to clarify conceptual concerns and guide its practical implementation.

Keywords

information literacy; media literacy; twenty-first century skills; education
policy; Singapore

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