Reflection on the Semester

Reflecting on this semester in Theories and Models of Literacy, I realize that all of the reading truly impacted how  I view literacy practices, how I analyze my own literacy, and why I study language and literacy. Throughout the semester I have been able to focus on why we practice reading and writing the way we do and the impacts that has on our thinking processes. Thinking metacognitively about my own thoughts and literacy practices exposes how much  I really take for granted what the ability to read and write means to me.

As we discussed the multiple implications of literacy development, it was helpful to have secondary sources such as Purcell-Gates'  book to read and analyze. As a teacher, this was extremely insightful, and the book provided another vantage point to my perspective of teaching literacy and the associated literacy practices. I could relate much of the information and experiences in the book to my own basic literacy students. This helped to given a much closer connection to the reading, and therefore a deepened appreciation not only for the assignment, but other readings like it that helped to expand my ideas around literacy. I believe that all of the discussions that took place during the reading were thoughtful and important for the class. With so many diverse backgrounds, the conversations brought even more meaning to the book, and provided other contexts such as  Liberata's literacy experiences in Burundi.

My definition of literacy definitely expanded as I was exposed to more types of literacy and the various arguments surrounding literacy practices and where literacy occurs. Before, I limited my understanding of literacy to academic or learning based practices that were more formalized. Now I have expanded that to be much more social and communal, and to include daily practices such as list making, agendas, schedules and planning.

Analyzing many of the advantages and disadvantages, I now know that the ability to read isn't just a benefit, but in today's society, it is necessary. I do, however, look at the disadvantages, such as little focus on memorization and heightened dependence on writing things down all of the time. I would enjoy spending some time with a culture that isn't as dependent on literacy and note the changes in how I engage myself with the community. This class has definitely been a humbling experience and has set me up to approach my students in a different manner. This class has really informed my own practices and understanding about literacy, and will definitely strengthen the foundation of my professional career as an adult educator. As I continue to develop and grow, the ideas and discourse that I experienced in the class will be a critical part to the role that I play in the lives of adult learners.