Defining and Unraveling Literacies
“Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope . . . For everyone, everywhere, literacy is, along with education in general, a basic human right . . . Literacy is, finally, the road to human progress and the means through which every man, woman, and child can realize his or her full potential”
-Kofi Annan
The following section of my portfolio is dedicated to examples in which I have learned to challenge and expand upon the meaning of the word literacy, and its many definitions, through my course work at Michigan State University. I instead refer to it in the plural, as "literacies," as I believe it evokes so much more than what most educators initially take into consideration.
“The Hidden Intricacies of Literacy: The Power and Pervasiveness of One of the Most Complex Words in the English Language”
This research paper, written for one of my many theoretical teaching courses at MSU, explores the many facets of the immensely complicated words that is literacy, as well as many specific examples of the ways in which I hope to integrate "vocabularic," visual, analytical, social, and critical literacies into my future French classrooms in particular. Furthermore, in my personal and humble opinion, this is one of the pieces of writing in which my passion for teaching genuinely shines through and takes center stage.
te_302_final_paper.word_doc.word_doc.doc | |
File Size: | 58 kb |
File Type: | doc |
"The Power and Importance of Students' Funds of Knowledge: Comprehensive Research and Examples of Transformative Pedagogical Practices"
The following essay is a both a reflective and research-based piece on the work and learning I did as a teaching assistant within Michigan State University's incredible pre-college writing, or PCW program. In many ways, this program revolutionized my thinking on teaching, and as the title suggests, truly elucidated the kinds of authentic learning that can take place if we choose to incorporate students' "funds of knowledge" into the curriculum. This paper weaves scholarly articles along with the observations and experiences I had with these students, including examples of the kinds of inspiring work I did through my own lesson plans with them.
eng_408_paper_for_weebly._word_doc.doc | |
File Size: | 75 kb |
File Type: | doc |
Learner Case Study: "A Reflection Upon a Comprehensive, Eye-Opening Two-Phase Interview"
Attached is a reflective paper detailing much of what I gained from a two-phase video interview with one of my pre-college writing students. In order to maintain and respect this learner’s privacy, I unfortunately cannot post the video itself on this forum. Thus, my aim in writing and including this piece is to try to encompass the voice of the incredible individual who was so willing to share aspects of his Chinese culture and personal life with me. More specifically, our discussion centered around the power of stories in his own life, and the ways in which these tales have helped to mold him into the person that he is today through the lessons that underlie them. His enthusiasm and wisdom have impacted me in ways that words cannot fully explain, although, through this brief essay, I attempt to do precisely that.
eng_408_learner_case_study_paper._word_doc.doc | |
File Size: | 30 kb |
File Type: | doc |
VIDEO:
Chimamanda Adichie: The Danger of a Single Story
In this video, acclaimed Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie's speech beautifully illuminates the power of stories in a way that supplements and accentuates my sentiments perfectly. I highly encourage anyone and everyone to watch this engaging, compelling, and thought-provoking video. Trust me when I say it is worth your time.
Chimamanda Adichie: The Danger of a Single Story
In this video, acclaimed Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie's speech beautifully illuminates the power of stories in a way that supplements and accentuates my sentiments perfectly. I highly encourage anyone and everyone to watch this engaging, compelling, and thought-provoking video. Trust me when I say it is worth your time.