My previous definition of literacy pertained to an individual's ability to master a skill, but there were many holes as to how an individual is deemed literate. Although Gee's article changed my definition slightly, I still believe that literacy is an individual's ability to master a task. However, Gee's article caused me to consider the role of interpersonal relationships on the individual's mastery of the content or skill. Becoming successful in a skill is pointless unless the individual is able to share their knowledge, either directly or indirectly, with another individual or group of people. Because Gee was so concerned with how individuals interact with each other, I feel that it is important to include it in my definition. Knowledge and information kept in isolation from others doesn’t help others because is knowledge is meant to me shared not hoarded. Gee was concerned with how individuals navigated social circles and whether or not they were able to successful integrate themselves into it. Since social interactions are a large part of our society, my definition of literacy has to take that into consideration.
Amanda:
ReplyDeleteI really like the idea you include in your definition about social interaction---which, as you correctly identify--- is important to Gee as well. Almost any type of literacy does involve others, as even reading and writing require readers, and language, which is based in communicating to others at even its basic level.
But you aren't providing quite enough detail or explanation to really earn full credit for this assignment, because you don't explain exactly why you believe what you do and why your ideas about literacy have changed.
Grade: 3.5/5