Core Literacies | The Teaching & Learning Centre | Seneca Polytechnic

Seneca’s Strategic Plan 2017–2022 commits that the Core Literacies are taught, practised, and assessed in our programs.

Embedded into the Standards of Practice are the core literacies. Faculty connect with students as active partners in learning and seek to continuously develop expertise in their disciplines and model the core literacies to promote teaching excellence.

Written Communication
Create written works using correct English grammar, punctuation, syntax and sentence structure to express ideas and facts in a manner suitable to the intended audience.

Oral Communication
Participate verbally in discussions and conversations, exchange thoughts and information, make clear presentations, and interact with a variety of audiences.

Quantitative Literacy
Select and use the required mathematical/analytical concepts and operations necessary for problem – solving, decision – making, economic productivity and real world applications.

Information Literacy
The ability to know when there is a need for information, to be able to identify, locate, evaluate, organize and effectively and responsibly use and share information to inform and solve problems.

Creative Thinking
To explore ideas, generate possibilities, and seek out and/or develop other alternate responses rather than opting for one immediate or “correct” answer.

Ethical Reasoning, Personal and Social Responsibility
Ethical reasoning involves respecting other individuals and their rights, and making informed choices that benefit other individuals, society and the environment, in a manner that requires the individual to be aware of and process the principles of right and wrong as they relate to human conduct. Individuals demonstrate personal and social responsibility by being dependable and accountable, while being sensitive and responsive to the well – being of others and aware of the possible consequences of their actions.

Inquiry and Analysis
A systematic process of exploring issues and challenges through the collection and analysis of evidence gained by breaking complex topics or issues into relevant and simpler parts.

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Critical thinking is the exploration and examination of issues, ideas, artefacts and events before accepting or forming an opinion and/or reaching a conclusion. Problem solving is the process of designing, evaluating and implementing a strategy to answer a question or achieve a desired goal.

Digital Literacy
The ability to locate, use, summarize, evaluate, create, and communicate information while using digital technologies and mobile platforms; and to engage safely and responsibly and ethically in online communities and networks.

Intercultural Knowledge and Global Perspective
Intercultural Knowledge is the knowledge, attitudes and skills that support effective and appropriate interaction in a variety of cultural contexts to adapt to and build relationships. Global perspective is the exploration of global issues and challenges from diverse worldviews that respects differences, while informing and broadening individual views.