The articles that we have read by Gere and Rodriguez have really caused me to think about the educational system in colleges and primary schools in a different way. Before, I would have thought that the shortcomings in education were mostly due to Eurocentric curriculum, incompetent instruction, overcrowding, underfunding, etc… In other words, the usual suspects that we hear about as problems in the educational system. These articles have made me think that there may also be fundamental problems in simply providing an educational experience that is meaningful and relevant.
Both Gere and Rodriguez have criticisms of schooling along these lines. In my interpretation, Gere felt that the field of composition in universities was more interested in promoting the professionalism of the field than providing a well-rounded curriculum to students. Extracurricular writers/ writing groups are purposefully left out. Rodriguez describes how in all of his years of primary school, college, and graduate school he lacked an educational experience that connected with his culture, or taught him to think for himself. From both of these authors, it would seem that the goals of the educational system are misguided.
If I were asked to define the word “literacy” I would say that literacy means the ability to read and speak, reading comprehension, level of vocabulary and word recognition. I would imagine when schools are evaluating the literacy of students these are the same things they are looking for. Rodriguez made me think that literacy also refers to intellectual sophistication to a certain degree. Rodriguez describes how although he was a bookworm, he never felt that a book caused him to reflect and come to his own opinions/ conclusions. Rather, he states that he read to be told what to think. I don’t know that I would consider this literacy, and it certainly should not be the goal of schools to develop this type of literacy in kids. It is not intellectually enriching.
Further, Rodriguez also describes how he would read just for the sake of feeling educated: “Most books, of course, I barely understood. When reading Plato’s Republic, for instance, I had to keep referring to the book jacket comments to remind myself what the book was about. Nevertheless, with the special patience and superstition of a scholarship boy, I looked at every word of the text. And by the time I reached the last word, relieved, I convinced myself that I had read The Republic. In a ceremony of great pride, I solemnly crossed Plato off my list.” (pg. 444) Obviously, this type of reading is not intellectually enriching either. So, I think we could stand to take a more sophisticated view of literacy and focus on more than just ability to read, speak with proper grammar, etc… Especially those of us going into the teaching profession. I found Rodriguez’s article to be more provoking to me personally, because I am and education major and his article addressed mostly his experience in primary schools. This article speaks directly to what my goals should be as an educator.
Gere’s article described the field of composition in universities as more self-serving and driven towards prestige than interested in teaching comprehensive background in composition. Gere speaks about many people in private/ extracurricular writing groups that function much differently than those offered in universities. Many of the people involved in these groups were rejected in the realm of academia. Gere’s article made me think that these academic institutions are trying to force people to fit a mold which may or may not utilize their unique talents. Gere feels that the world of academia should take a broader view of what they consider professional. She states: “Few of the participants in the Tenderloin Women's Writing Workshop or the Lansing, Iowa Writers' Workshop had much formal education, and many had negative experiences with schooling. They did not think of themselves as writers because teachers had taught them they could not write. Yet these individuals wrote effectively in workshops, published their writing, and gained personal and community recognition for their work.”
This made me think about how the system of education does take a very selective view in many ways. How could schools reject people and tell them that they cannot write when these same people are then going on to have some success as writers, and more importantly, take great satisfaction from writing? I don’t think rejection and humiliation have any place in education unless you’re somewhere like Harvard’s business school. In a primary or undergraduate level the most important goal of the educational system should be to encourage each student to find their own talents and interests and develop them. For my own future profession as a teacher, I would like to seek out a broader view of what kinds of experiences and materials I find to be of educational relevance. Gere’s article indicates that the current narrow scope of the educational world leaves many people behind. While Gere is speaking specifically of the field of composition, I see how this can parallel any are of education.
My personal reflections on this are that the educational system does not focus enough on intellectual enrichment in a real sense. These articles indicate that the educational system is focused a narrow view of what’s considered educational, and is dismissive of what isn’t. Further, literacy development in schools seems to be too superficial to be intellectually enriching. I have thought more about these topics and seen these areas for criticism. I’d be interested now in reading some articles with some practice ideas on how to improve education and promote deeper literacy.
I am not listed as a contributor, so I am posting my blog contribution here in order for it to be considered turn in on time.
ReplyDeleteThe articles by Gere and Rodriguez have enlightened my understanding of literacy and education in different ways. Gere’s article discusses the idea that literacy can be developed outside of the regular classroom environment. In her article, “Kitchen Tables and Rented Rooms: The Extracurriculum of Composition”, she discussed different writing groups of “regular” people, who were not particularly scholarly or formally educated, but came together because of their love of writing along with a personal sense of reward that they felt when expressing themselves on paper. Gere’s states, “Although it remains largely invisible and inaudible to us, writing development occurs regularly and successfully outside classroom walls” (p. 78). She removes the idea that in order to be successful at writing, a person has to attain a certain level of academia. She shows extracurriculum of composition is just as valuable.
In Rodriguez’s article, “The Achievement of Desire”, he talks about his pursuit of education and how the more he achieved academically, the more he became alienated from his family. As I read the article I could relate to some of his experiences. For me, it raised the concern of how one, including myself, could avoid becoming displaced from family and friends as I continue to pursue education. As he talked about the “scholarship boy”, he stated that, “the scholarship boy must move between environments, his home and the classroom, which are at cultural extremes, opposed” (p. 432).
He also stated that, “Gradually, necessarily, the balance is lost” (p. 434). Rodriguez points out the awkwardness he felt as he became increasingly literate and aware of the differences between his life at home and school. He felt that in order for him to achieve his desire of education, he had to choose. I agree to a certain degree, because I understand that a person has to focus and spend large amounts of time in solitude as they pursue their studies.
On the other hand, it raised concern for me as someone with a desire to become an urban educator. It brought to mind the description of the “Talented Tenth” that was spoken of by W.E.B. duBois. To paraphrase, these are the minorities that become educated and eventually leave their communities after becoming successful instead of staying around to build them up.Rodriguez’s article made me aware that I will have to put forth a conscious effort to balance myself between both worlds in order to be effective in my field. As I experience the cultural differences between schooling and what takes place in my family and community, I will need to pay close attention to the changes in attitude that may take place within myself.
At this point in the semester, I would define literacy as the ability read and write, as well as express oneself in a clear and concise manner. It doesn’t seem to really be based on a person’s level of education because the more it is put into practice, the better you become at it.