Conversation 2:

Summary

According to Szwed, the 5 elements of literacy are text, context, function, participants, and motivation. Text is a general term for any written content, including that which people read and write, but it encompasses more than simply words on a page. Szwed contends that it encompasses not only the written material’s substance but also its form, style, and many genres and subgenres, which can range from novels to graffiti. Szwed recommends the method of studying literacy through ethnography. Ethnography involves direct observation and immersion in a particular community or group to understand their practices and behaviors. Szwed argues that this method is necessary because it allows researchers to go beyond simplistic assumptions about literacy and delve into the social contexts, functions, and meanings of reading and writing within a specific community. When Szwed writes that “we must come to terms with the lives of people without patronizing them” in reference to ethnography, he means that researchers should approach their subjects with respect and without condescension.If I was a literacy instructor following Szwed’s advice in a high school in the Bronx, I would likely approach teaching literacy by first understanding the specific needs and contexts of my students. I would also take into consideration the diverse backgrounds, languages, and literacy practices of my students. According to Perry, there are two types of models: the autonomous model and the ideological model. The autonomous model of literacy describes literacy as a set of strictly technical skills while the ideological model of literacy views literacy as a set of practices other than just skills. It’s not necessarily a matter of one model being better than the other because they serve different purposes and have different implications. The autonomous model is more traditional and focused on technical skills while the ideological model emphasizes the social and cultural dimensions of literacy. The term “orality versus literacy” refers to the comparison and contrast between oral communication (spoken language) and written communication (literacy). Communities transmit knowledge, norms, and cultural values through literacy practices. The language and literacy practices learned in a particular community contribute to an individual’s understanding of the world and their ability to participate in that community. Literacy standards are created through a complex process that involves various stakeholders. These standards often reflect the values, norms, and priorities of the dominant culture.