An Epiphany during today's lecture.....a Temple of the Mind

Let me preface this post with this quick point. I usually find the class discussions in 338 to be engaging. This is not an attempt to kiss ass, but I feel it needs to be said because today I experienced something beyond  the level of engagement which I normally feel. Today I was struck with an epiphany in a most unexpected way.

In the quote by Dewey, where the he explores the inadequacies of formal lectures; a question was posed by Dewey and Dr. Branch about where lectures come from and how they are not a part of our regular daily activities. It was from this question that I was blasted with a lightening bolt of instantaneous understanding. A brief moment of clarity. Let me begin my rant!

There is only one place in western culture  where people all sit quietly and listen intently to the words of one man as if their souls depended on it. The answer is, THE CHURCH. It was at this moment that ideas began to start flooding in. Before there was an education system, there was the church. The first literate people in society were the clergy. I knew this from early Brit Lit classes, but I never truly understood how this connected into a direct lineage to the modern educational system until this moment in class.

The original purpose for literacy was to read the Bible. Obviously the goals have changed significantly from the earliest days of education. What is the purpose of modern education? I believe this purpose is no longer parallel with the earliest days of monastic pursuits.  In fact, things have changed so much that I think it its necessary to consider how the link between the church and educational system truly mimic each other, and only from there can we decide as future educators how we should chart our future path.

Consider for one moment the hierarchical power structure of the church. It mimics the power structure of the pyramid.   God hovering over the pyramid, the pope on top, and the layers of clergy descending down to the unclean masses. Yet, every day the university and public schools mirror  this same power structure. Knowledge hovering above the pyramid, with varying layers of administrators working their way down to teachers, students being the bottom rung. Even the students maintain a hierarchy of sorts according to age, grade, achievements, etc. Just look at the peak of Montana Hall.

If we do not want to preach from a pulpit as teachers, we should really consider how simply changing what is happening in our classrooms may potentially work its way up and change the very structure and nature of the system.

Oh well just something to think about......

C.C.R.

What does it mean to be College and Career Ready? I understand through our discussion on Monday, that the concept of literacy is something that exists on a continuum. Therefore it becomes difficult to pin down the precise moment one has reached this level of CCR. Everyone who has anything to do with the humanities can validate the subjective nature of the discipline. English does not have the same ability to be quantified as math or science. So, with this in aspect kept in mind, it becomes vital to apply a little common sense. For one to be College and Career Ready, they must possess an ability to read and write with a certain level of complexity and have mastery of a vocabulary which contains a fair smattering of multisyllabic words. The most import part of this CCR is for one to be able to ascertain meaning from written material and for one to be able to communicate their thoughts through written language as well.

What else may be important as an english teacher to convey to students with regards to literacy. I would like for my students to understand the true power of the written word. Through writing humans achieve immortality. They can pass on information and influence others thinking. The written word can transport a reader to alternate worlds or achieve time travel. The written word can help us assemble a kitchen appliance. To achieve mastery over written language, one suddenly has a voice and the ability to influence and change the world!