Noll makes interesting and eye-opening observations and discoveries in her case study. What grabbed my attention was her statement in the Implications portion of her findings. Noll writes, “With few exceptions, the adolescents’ literacy strengths, cultural knowledge, and richness of expression outside of school are not fully recognized or tapped in school. Their teachers are, for the most part, unaware of the multiple literacies that are so central to the students’ out-of-school lives.”
I think Noll’s statement regarding literacies being unrecognized is not only true in the case of the American Indians, but also true for most students. Students are proficient in many literacies that are not fully employed in the classroom, especially in technology and in the use of technological devices. In addition, they are involved in and excel in the arts. Students are literate in cultural, visual, and musical expression.
Unfortunately, many schools and teachers do not value the students’ literacies as stated above. It’s not that schools and teachers are unaware of students’ multiple literacies, it’s that schools and teachers feel extreme pressure to focus solely on tested material, the traditional literacies: reading and writing.
While traditional literacies are certainly very important, I think a small shift in school values could benefit students. Not only should students still be taught traditional literacies and be expected to become proficient, but they should be taught and have the opportunity to explore other cultural, visual, musical, and technological literacies. As a result, I believe students would be well-rounded and feel more valued and more confident.
Laura Corbello
Comments (4)
I think public education is putting more problems into the schools because they are pushing testing too much. Students' talents are being pushed aside to cram in the reading, math, writing and any other area of testing focus. I really think we are doing our kids a disservice by putting so much emphasis on those tested areas. I know it's our job, and if we don't, we know what happens. I get so frustrated with where education as a whole is going. There are so many families that are broken and kids that are in need of our love and encouragement to pursue areas of interest and talent. Students can learn by doing those things (dancing, singing, etc). It is our job to mold these kids into what they will become in the future for the benefit of themselves and for society. With the ever so changing cultural problems, how are these kids ever going to be proud of who they are and where they came from?
Posted by Abby Boughton | June 10, 2010 9:02 PM
Posted on June 10, 2010 21:02
Laura-
I like that you looked at this article from the point of view of how many types of literacy that were considered in the study. Traditionally I feel that children are measured on how well they read, comprehend, write and compute math problems. In reality, human beings are talented in other ways.
I began my second year teaching at a themed school that caters to Howard Gardener’s theory of the 8 Multiple Intelligences. Students can select which “smart” they are: Word Smart, Art Smart, Logic Smart, Nature Smart, People Smart, Music Smart, Self Smart or Picture Smart. Two to three times per year students are given the opportunity to participate in “mini-courses” that are developed by teachers and other school staff that are based on one of the “8 Smarts”. This really gives students who are not necessarily reading or math inclined to practice their favorite “smart” for two consecutive days.
In this experience I have noticed that some of my most quiet book worms have blossomed when placed in a certain classroom with a certain group of students that think much like they do. At the same time, some of my lower students can flourish in a classroom that is brimmed with art and craft supplies, and they can really excel creatively. In my opinion it is necessary to cater to all schools of thought and to let students shine in anyway possible, and to succeed in school.
Renee Hennings June 10, 2010
Posted by Renee Hennings | June 10, 2010 9:09 PM
Posted on June 10, 2010 21:09
Laura,
I think you made a very valid point about using a variety of literacy in the classroom. I firmly believe classrooms across the nation have evolved as society has evolved, but we still hang on to some "traditional" elements of learning. One of those is reading instruction. The mediums students use in todays world to read with are vastly different than those of years past. Technology has changed the world of literacy as well. More should be incoroportaed into rooms, and maybe many of the traditional reading textbooks should be eliminated. Not becuase they aren't good for instruction on reading, but it allows teachers to fall back into a rut of instruction that may not be meeting the needs and interests of the students in todays world.
Michael Lemke
Posted by Michael Lemke | June 11, 2010 4:57 PM
Posted on June 11, 2010 16:57
Laura,
I had never thought of that reading the way that you did and it really opened my eyes. I wish that more schools would do what Renee's school did. I think that giving a child to shine in what they are good at is so important. I would love my school to get more technology in its classrooms because some of my children are so good at it! It would be so interesting to do what Renee's school did a couple of times a year with my grade level. I would be very interested to see how well the students did and what they picked as their "smart". That is a great idea!
Posted by Natalie Enns | June 11, 2010 10:40 PM
Posted on June 11, 2010 22:40