First, let me apologise for my tardiness in contributing my blog. I was simply unable to access my blog account. now, thanks to Dr. D. all that is sorted out.
As I read the article entitled Literacy, I realize that the criteria for determining whether someone is literate are dynamic rather than static. In earlier times, persons were considered literate if they could sign their names, read the scriptures or the newspaper. However, to be literate in today’s society, one not only has to master the art of reading, speaking, listening, comprehending, analyzing and synthesizing but must demonstrate mastery in computer and digital technology as well. This makes me wonder just how literate I am considering that I could not even access my own blog account. Time and time again,I am haunted by my lack of computer and digital technology savvy. Everywhere I go I am forced to interact with various forms of technology. – doing my banking, interacting with machines rather than personnel when I try to communicate with some companies, printing my own boarding pass at the airport and the list goes on.
The comparison of the varying levels of literacy around the world was quite informative. I always believed that the USA was the leader in literacy but I was wrong. It seemed evident that levels of literacy are determened by many factors such as culture, politics, religion and socio-economic factors.
From time immemorial, literacy has been used as a tool to discriminate against, to control and to segregate people. Things are hardly any different today’s society. The NCLB Act, though instituted to create a level playingfield for all students, is interpreted and implemented differently in affluent societies and in low income societies. The article, Rethinking Schools bears this out. In affluent societies, teachers and administrators have the freedom to adjust the curriculum to suit the needs of their students and to make decisions that better prepare their students for the challenges in the real world. In urban communities where many of the students are not meeting the level of proficiency as measured by the state exams, administrators and teachers do not have the freedom to choose and implement programs that they believe will significantly improve their students’ performance. Most of what we do in the urban classrooms is dictated by the state and the pressing desire for our students to be proficient on the state exams. We operate on very limited financial resources, inadequate parents’ involvement, and a high level of students with disciplinary problems.
As I read the article, The Greatest Art ...., I am reminded of Gardener's Multiple Intelligence theory. Illustrations in books can greatly impact the students' understanding of the written text.
What am I wondering about?
I was impressed with the teachers' actions in the article, Scilencing Teachers... However, I wonder about my ability to take a stance and become an advocate for my students in situations controversial. As a non-tenured first year teacher, whose agenda will I be willing to adopt? When interests conflict, whose interest will take priority- my own or the students’? There is no doubt in my mind that a scripted curriculum is not in the best interest of our students. I teach special education and all ofmy students have to sit the grade appropriate state examinations. Most of my students are very low functioning academically and, in my opinion would be better served if the focused on life skills such as making change, balancing a bankbook, following a recipe, reading labels and transportation schedules, keeping abreast of current events and so on rather than just pressing for proficiency in the state test. Now, how brave am I to advocate for this?
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
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