| Nonliteracy | Literacy |
| emphasize instructing, training, informing | emphasize teaching |
| observing | doing |
| memorizing | thinking |
| exposition | inquiry |
| dependency | non-dependency |
| student passive receptacle | student active learner |
| time based | competency based |
| goal oriented | process oriented |
| emphasis on content | emphasis on student |
| content drive | process driven |
| teacher-centered activities | student-centered activities |
| verification | discovery |
| based on teacher needs | based on student needs |
| information in isolation | integrated information |
| knowledge acquisition | knowledge application |
| doing it right | doing the right thing |
| understanding in bits and pieces | understanding in context |
| recitation favored | argument favored |
| reading promoted | doing promoted |
| individual learning and competitive learning | cooperative learning |
| receiving | sharing |
| Nonliteracy | Literacy |
| Nonliteracy | Literacy |
| instructing is easier | teaching is more difficult |
| emphasis on subject | emphasis on student |
| standard assessment | alternative assessment |
| emphasis on breadth | emphasis on depth |
| emphasis on value of time | emphasis on value of information |
| value of knowledge | value of process skills |
| preparation for careers | preparation for life |
| value of content | value of relationships |
| instructing is "efficient" | teaching is time consuming |
| emphasis on instrumental value | emphasis on "moral" value |
| gloss over all content areas | cover a few areas well |
| "cost effective" | "expensive" |
| Nonliteracy | Literacy |