Literacy

Literacy is a complex and dynamic phenomenon that varies across time, language, and geography. The origins of literacy can be traced back thousands of years, initially invented as a tool for communication to be shared among only a small portion of educated human society. However, within the past few centuries, many societies have experienced transitions from mostly illiterate to predominantly literate populations through a variety of means including both formal and informal learning. The present entry considers literacy in a global perspective, including the history and definition of literacy; life-span perspectives; and finally some challenges and opportunities for the future.