Visual literacy as a necessary component of functional literacy
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The issue is relevant due to the need to include a visual component in the structure of functional literacy for the formation of meta-subject competencies in high school students that correspond to the trends of modern development of society and create a basis for successful further education. The research purpose is to substantiate the need to include the “visual literacy” component in the structure of functional literacy in high school students to ensure high-quality education for students that meets the modern development of the information society. In the context of digital transformation of society and total visualization of content, the lack of systemically developed visual literacy leads to functional limitations of the individual, while the existing components of functional literacy do not solve the tasks related to critical interpretation, verification and creation of visual images. Based on the results of the analysis of the components of functional literacy, the formation of which is relevant for high school students, it is determined that a common feature of all considered components is a practical orientation, since simple knowledge is not functionally necessary for a person, unlike the ability to actualize existing knowledge, act in conditions of uncertainty, use critical thinking and make informed decisions taking into account ethical principles. Five key structural elements of visual literacy are proposed, based on the ability to perceive and critically analyze visual data, create visual materials for subsequent communication, which corresponds to the pragmatic orientation of functional literacy and meets the current social demand.
Authors: Aleksey S. Gorin, Lyudmila N. Makarova
Institution: Tambov State University
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7166541577