Reading Response #2

Cummins et al. suggests that students engage in a variety of literacy activities based on the world around them, especially socially that transcend their pursuit of "academic literacy" in the dominant language of the school environment. According to Bransford and colleagues the traditional teacher-student model limits the transmission of information and skills. their research suggests that deep understanding and cognitive engagement are far more likely by engaging students in contexts where instruction builds on their previous knowledge and their learning is supported by a community of learners. To me, there is no better place to build and/or activate a community of learners than in cyberspace. Cyberspace provides no end of opportunities for meaningful and authentic use of language proposed by Egbert. Students have the opportunity to engage in activities that engage them in ways that have meaning for them and expose them to a much broader range of information, facts, and perspectives than the traditional "book" model of learning. The Blogosphere enables them to interact and engage individuals who may be prime time players in any number of subjects and problems of the day. Additionally, the blogosphere ESL enables them to engage not only native speakers of English in their learning process but individuals from their own cultural background as well as individuals from other cultural backgrounds with much different worldview than their own. It certainly broadens the learning horizon, and the fact that everything is out there for all to see adds another dimension to the idea of being both factually and linguistically accurate.
My first baby steps into the blogosphere have been enjoyable, although at times frustrating as I learn to master a new technical skill. I must say it is not as hard as I first imagined, but it is new and there are some things I need repetition on to master. What I have noticed right away is that I am much more careful about what I say and how I say it. The idea of being "public" gives me a sense of care and responsibility about my thoughts and ideas I might not otherwise consider. I think for the moment it perhaps holds me back a little bit, but as I get accustomed to blogging that will change. Being a history and literature buff, I think my blog will include lots of things related to those subjects. Although, some things could be somewhat controversial. For example, the Holocaust, but I think that deserves discussion especially since we hear so much in the news there days about Holocaust deniers and the implications for the world we live in, particularly from leaders like the Iranian president. I have some pictures I took from the Dachau concentration camp that I will at some point post and write about my feelings as I wondered through the camp.