1. I have to say that this has been one of the most enlightening classes that I have had
throughout my university career. When I started this class, I had a very basic idea of what
literacy was. Like many others, I defined literacy into the linear category of “reading and
writing”. As the weeks progressed, I realized that literacy is a multi-dimensional concept
that includes social aspects, economic aspects, cultural aspects, and even aspects of
individual preference. Furthermore, literacy is not something that is solely developed
from individual efforts, but, as Brandt states, requires the “sponsorship” of others.
Our literacy skills are a direct result of the societal interactions that we experience
every day. Scribner describes this as “functional literacy”, or “the level of proficiency
necessary for effective performance in a range of settings and customary activities” (16).
Whether you are filling out a forms, reading a street sign, or even updating your status on
Facebook (what Szwed describes as “public and private literacy” (425)), all of these
aspects of literacy are a direct result of an individual’s needs to navigate through
everyday life. Before becoming part of this community of practice, I never would have
thought that literacy had any relation to filling out a form, or reading a road sign.
Fortunately,as the course progressed, my idea of literacy evolved. Literacy is not limited
to simply “reading and writing”, but is an ideal that pertains to comprehending and
processing information of many different varieties.
I chose to explore and expand three selections because each of them
representedepiphany moments for me. Taking part in recording the literacy log was an
eye opening experience for me as I discuss in the reflection. I was very happy with the
outcome of the literacy interview with my wife; it actually brought us closer together as a
couple and as parents raising and educating two small children. Lastly, I chose to reflect
on the movie The Reader. I normally do not have time to watch movies, but I am glad I
found the time to see it. I loved how the concept of illiteracy flowed through the movie
like the undercurrent of a river.
Resources:
Brandt, D. (1998). Sponsors of Literacy.College Composition and Communication, Vol.
49, No. 2 (May, 1998), pp. 165-185 Published by: National Council of Teachers of
English Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/358929
Scribner, S. (1984). Literacy in Three Metaphors. Retrieved from:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-NQx4UJlVmxa0RDeXdNbVgxRDA/edit
Szwed, J.F. (1981). The Ethnography of Literacy. Retrieved
from:https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-NQx4UJlVmxa1VERk9SZXV1RFU/edit