So far in this class literacy has been associated quite frequently with a race. We need to race to catch up to other countries currently ahead of us, and then beat them once we finally catch up. Also, the idea of a race comes from wars, which always seem to renew interest in literacy. We end up racing not only to beat our enemies on the fields but also in academics. While I grasp the idea of wanting to be number one, having a certain reputation to uphold, I don't understand why we constantly need to connect literacy with racing. I also believe that part of the reason we seem to disregard our good fortune to have been given the opportunity to gain literacy is due to this racing aspect. Instead of finding ourselves lucky and feeling grateful for our knowledge we find it expected. Additionally we never seem content, always needing to push further. Maybe we should slow down, walk at our own pace and take the time to acknowledge the gift of literacy, take in the opportunities it affords us and expand on it as we see fit, not as society deems fit. If we focus too much on the racing aspect we lose the value of literacy. We start to learn, or teach, in a fast paced manner, not really understanding what we hear/speak but rather just tossing out ideas and hoping some stick. Is this really an appropriate means to win the "race?" Maybe this method can get us high standardized testing scores but in the end does that amount to the most literate students?
5 comments:
You bring up a very good points! I think literacy can be lost when focusing on this "racing" aspect you bring about. I don't think anyone appreciates literacy as a whole. I think teachers shouldn't "race" when teaching students. I don't think that's the right method at all. If educators aren't taking the time, where time is needed, than I think students have a big disadvantage. In the end it does come down to the standardized testing scores. They don't reflect, in my opinion, a sense of genuine literacy. If students and teachers just pass by opportunity to "race" for literacy than important and useful skills and knowledge are lost in the process. I like the idea that you stated about slowing down and walking at our pace. I like how it's more of an individual idea that you're going for rather than the demands of the society!
Being competitive seems to be a natural human trait. We do everything to prove that we are better than everyone else. We are in college to get a degree to prove ourselves better to those who don't. Countries go to war to prove they're the better nation. Even as kids, with sports especially, we are taught to be the best, not the best of ourselves and to make our parents proud, not ourselves. That's why I believe this race is fueled by comparison. We are constantly compared with others to who has the better job, who has the better home, who has the better life, etc. So, yea, it is like a race, but this race has no finish line. Everyone will try their hardest to find the fastest way to win, but there's always a new competitor to enter the race.
First, I don't think countries go to war to prove that they are a better country, the road to war is paved with much more complicated ideas (though let's face it, they are usually economical). And while I agree that literacy shouldn't be a race, I do think that the competitive mentality is extremely important. If there was not an end or reward (a job, a degree, etc.) to push one into improving literacy, I do not think that many people would bother with it, especially in an age where the 'moral' imperative from our last reading would not work as well. If a society illiterate then it can never improve. The race, I believe, is partly to create improvements in a world where many things still need to be improved. And there are some problems that can't wait while literacy is taught at a slow and leisurely pace. Sure, some things may not be understood at the moment they are taught, but literacy is one of those things where practice creates improvement. The more students read and write, the better readers/writers they become. Literacy is not like math where not understanding step one will prevent you from moving to step two.
All in all, I do not believe that countries, in terms of literacy are competing to produce the most literate citizens, especially in an age that is driven by the idea of the international. A literate individual does not just benefit the country anymore, but the world.
I really like the points you bring up in this post. As we discussed in class, during the Cold War the U.S. made it a point to try to "beat" the Russians in a literacy/education battle. This shouldn't be the point of an education. An education should be to the benefit of the individual, rather than the greater population. While I understand that having highly educated individuals benefits a country, that benefit should come second to that of the individual citizen. We need to focus on how learning can enhance one's life, because it does. Being literate leads to a better job, higher pay, but also a more fulfilling personal life.
I agree with Cortney's comment that if educators aren't taking the necessary time then the students are at a big disadvantage. Education is a privilege, not a race. We should treat it as such.
Post a Comment