Conversation 2

Summary

Szwed in “The Ethnography of Literacy” discusses the five elements of literacy which are text, context, function, participants, and motivation. According to “What is Literacy?” by Kristen Perry, “Being functionally literate involves having an understanding of the ways in which texts are used in the world to achieve social goals and purposes.” To further elaborate, functional literacy used in everyday instances such as academic publishing and navigating new digital forms of communication. In “The Ethnography of Literacy” Szwed states, “Ethnographic methods, in fact, are the only means for finding out what literacy really is and what can be validly measured.” In other words, ethnography in literature is recommended by Szwed because it can help counteract stereotypes and biases by presenting a more diverse and inclusive range of culture. In reference to ethnography, when Szwed wrote “we must come to terms with the lives of people without patronizing them” he highlights the importance of respecting and empathizing with those from diverse backgrounds or different experiences, we must approach them with a genuine desire to understand their lives and have no bias towards them. If I were a literacy instructor from the Bronx, I would choose an ethnographic approach to teaching with the element of motivation. It is important to get to know the students' backgrounds and understand where they come from to better help them succeed as an individual. Literacy motivation is important especially for students in NYC where poverty and HS dropout rates are high. According to Perry the two models of literacy are the autonomous model and the ideological model. The autonomous model of literacy emphasizes individual skills and the practical ability to read and write, focusing on functional literacy without delving into broader social and cultural contexts. In contrast, the ideological model of literacy recognizes that literacy is deeply influenced by societal power structures, ideologies, and cultural factors, viewing it as a tool for critical engagement with social and political issues beyond the mere acquisition of basic reading and writing skills. The ideological model of literacy may be better because it promotes critical thinking about the broader societal and cultural implications of literacy and empowers individuals by understanding the ideological aspects of literacy, individuals are empowered to advocate for themselves and their communities. Orality refers to a form of communication it uses knowledge and culture through spoken language and storytelling, while literacy involves the ability to read and write, enabling the preservation and dissemination of information in written form. As read in “The Ethnography of Literacy” by Szwed, literacy practices are shaped by communities which is why ethnography is used to understand cultural values. Each community has its own cultural values and norms, which influence the kinds of texts and literature that are valued and promoted. For example, communities with a strong emphasis on religious texts may prioritize religious literacy. Literacy standards are usually created through people like teachers, policymakers, etc. They serve students, educators' parents, or guardians. They are assed for cultural bias by using diverse panels of experts, educators, and community representatives to identify any potential cultural bias.