My thoughts

This course has changed my perspective quite a bit this semester about literacy, education and the process of writing. Previously, I thought that literacy was just being able to read and write. I have since come to find out there is a lot more involved with literacy. There is a discourse which students must learn in school in order to be seen as literate. Every child has a primary discourse which they learn in their nieghoborhood, family, community and so on that is learned basically at birth. This is not something that i would consider to be taught but more learned through observing their family and members in the community. Students second form of discourse is then learned in school. This is taught to them by teachers and learned in books. This discourse must be mastered in order to be seen as literate in the eyes of the school and to make good grades. Students need to master this way of speaking, writing and presenting themselves in order to be literate. My ideas of education have changed as well. Since I would like to be a teacher some day I see the value into putting everything I have into teaching my students. I need to go above and beyond what is needed to push my students to excel. We read various stories of teachers who set a bar up high for their students then help them along the way to help them achieve that goal. I know teaching is not going to be easy and I am ready for the challenge. As far as the writing process goes, my views on that have changed some what as well. I value creating a rough draft and having others look it over and help to critique it. I would enjoy the helpful hints on making it better but also would enjoy a few positive points about my paper as well.