Theory of Evolution

My conception of literacy surely has changed this semester. As I previously posted to this blog I hadn't really given it much thought before. My previous definition was the ability to read and write, or more casually, knowledge of something (e.g computer "literate"). My definition has now expanded more fully into the realm of "knowledge", even expertise, or as James Gee might put it, fluency. By fluency I mean fluency in what you are doing right now, whether that is school, work, playing basketball, or any other activity. However, I don't think I have to abandon the old definition. Being literate on a very basic level means the ability to read and write. As someone looking forward to working in a low income school as a special ed teacher, this definition of literacy remains important. Also important (and more closely related to Mr. Gee) is the notion that we are born to certain literacies (Discourses). As I go forward in my education and career this is something I will have to be mindful of and work to maximize the potential of my students, regardless of the primary Discourse.

I have grown a little in my ideas of what it means to educate too and this class has played some part in that. As I stated above, as an educator my goal is for my students to do everything they are capable of to the best of their abilities. Successful education is not passive, it is involved, and it must look beyond the day the student leaves my classroom. I want to prepare my students for life as it is in this world so that they may prosper to the extent to which they are capable.

I'm not really sure if my writing has changed this semester. Prior to this semester I had not been in school for 17 years, so writing has really been limited. One thing I can be certain of is that in my formal writing I have been careful to include as much bullshit as possible, and in my less formal writing to try to maintain my sense of humor while I discuss the matters at hand with my classmates. I am a firm believer that the sheer act of doing something over and over will improve your abilities, so I must have improved at least a little this semester. I know I have. I am finding it easier to come up with things to say as the semester goes on. Writing exercises that creativity muscle in the brain which only gets stronger the more it works out.