Dear Students,
Week 4 ends tonight, and week 5 begins. Your conversation on our Discussion Board #3, about American Indian and Native Alascan perspectives on literacy, looks fascinating. Be sure to post replies to classmates if you haven’t yet done so.
In week 5, we will explore the African perspectives. There is a longer reading, a few videos, Discussion Board Post #4, and a quiz. I’m also asking you to contribute a source on this topic. If you identify with the African perspective, let us know–share your knowledge and experience in Post 4. By the way, there is an error on the syllabus: week 5 is Tues, Sept 21 to Tues, not Thurs, Set 28th.
I have enjoyed reading all the literacy narratives. Thank you for sharing a piece of your story with me. Some of you wrote about your journey of learning to read as a child, and some of you wrote about your experience with books in the later years. Many of you are grateful for the gift of your love of reading to one special individual, often a teacher–would you consider sending them your narrative, so that they know how much you appreciate them?
I also graded quiz 1. In general, they were great, informative and to the point. Here and there, I ask for more details, more of your own voice. For example, some of you listed a literacy-related problem, but did not describe it, or you used the language from your source to describe it. I want to hear your voice here, so do paraphrase and paint as full a picture as possible of whatever it is you are explaining. In terms of the extra credit, many of you send emails to the speakers/ authors we discussed in week 3. Amazing and impressive! If you hear back, let me know. And if you deserve the extra credit but didn’t receive it, please also let me know by resending the screenshot of your message to the person you contacted.
Keep up the great work,
Prof. Barnes
