Yahaira+Q.+Nov+20th

__From Morrell, (2008)__ “…it is not a question of whether to teach literature but literature and how (pp.84).” “Critical literary theories position the reader in a different relation to texts, not as a subordinated passive reader trying to divine an ultimate meaning, rather as an agent empowered to read upon and against the text (pp. 84).” “ The same students who read magazines cover to cover, memorized song lyrics, played video games, wrote emails and web logs, and text messaged friends on cell phones were also completely disengaged from the literacies of school (pp.91).” __From Lankshear and Knobel, (2006)__ “Participation means involvement in some kind of shared purpose or activity-taking part in some kind of endeavor in which others are involved (pp.158).”

__From Lee, (2007)__ “The reader must be active in the process of trying to make sense of a text. This means the teacher must have knowledge of how to design learning environments in ways that maximize the likelihood that students will be actively engaged in trying to make sense of what they read. It also means the teacher must have a good way of figuring out what in a given text is likely to pose particular problems for specific readers (pp.121).”

__Discussion:__ As I was reading the articles I thought of all of the functions of my cell phone and how cell phones have evolved so much over the past few years. I remember my first cell phone. It was no where near as functional as my Palm Centro. With my Palm I can keep track of all of my daily tasks and appointments on my calendar and memo pad. I have instant access to the internet, music and television. I can also play games, take pictures, instant message and check my email amongst other things. My cell phone has become a daily part of my life and routine throughout my day and I feel lost without it. As I consider the impact of my cell phone and other forms of technology on my everyday life I think about how technology is only going to continue to evolve and wonder how classrooms, teachers and students are going to be impacted. The Lankshear and Knobel article suggests that a divide will occur between the technologically sound who are willing to work together and teach each other and those who are not competent. It also suggests that as new mediums evolve, learning will move outside of the classrooms into new realms (the learner’s environment whether it be community or the learner’s virtual environment, for example web blogs).

__Questions:__
 * What would a critical literacy English and language arts curriculum look like and how can it be implemented for all students including those who are not native English speakers?
 * How can we as educators make the texts, whether they are commercial texts or outside texts, culturally relevant to diverse students?
 * In the age that we live in, a world that continues to be filled with hatred and violence, how can we as prospective educators promote acceptance of differences and integrate such lessons into a critical literacy approach?
 * Will the age of technology take over the need for authentic (by authentic I mean real, human teachers) teachers?