Return-Path: <nifl-fobasics@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id j81Ks2G02345; Thu, 1 Sep 2005 16:54:02 -0400 (EDT) Date: Thu, 1 Sep 2005 16:54:02 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <0IM50028AOMWOUD1@vms044.mailsrvcs.net> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-fobasics@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-fobasics@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-fobasics@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Barbara Garner" <b.garner4@verizon.net> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-fobasics@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-FOBASICS:1473] RE: Expertise in Low Literacy Learners X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII X-Mailer: Microsoft Office Outlook, Build 11.0.5510 Status: O Content-Length: 3340 Lines: 87 I agree with the view that our students are certainly experts in many areas and your area of research is interesting. Is the concern learner's reaction to the term "expert" in an interview protocol? I assume you'll test the protocol before you use, so test the use of the term. You might want to do a test with two groups, testing two different ways to ask the same thing and see if you get markedly different responses. That will tell you which way to ask the questions. Barb Garner Editor, FOB -----Original Message----- From: nifl-fobasics@nifl.gov [mailto:nifl-fobasics@nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Nancy Krygowski Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2005 4:17 PM To: Multiple recipients of list Subject: [NIFL-FOBASICS:1472] RE: Expertise in Low Literacy Learners Question This sounds like interesting research. I understand the point the psychology professor makes. Though my students sometimes have skills they are good or even very good at, I don't think they would perceive themselves to be 'experts.' That word carries a lot of weight, often the weight of being "schooled" in an area or skill. I think the important and interesting idea here is to compare reading to a skill or area that low level readers have ease with. Why not just phrase it that way--what do you do really well? What can you do easily? Nancy Krygowski ABE/GED Instructor Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council -----Original Message----- From: nifl-fobasics@nifl.gov [mailto:nifl-fobasics@nifl.gov] On Behalf Of PHCSJean.2164047@bloglines.com Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2005 1:43 PM To: Multiple recipients of list Subject: [NIFL-FOBASICS:1469] Expertise in Low Literacy Learners Question Good day everyone! The endless dissertation process continues. I've encountered a new hurdle in the committee review process, and I'm hoping you all might have some feedback for me. I'm doing my work on the metacognitive processes of low literacy learners during the reading process and comparing it with their metacognitive processes during something they would perceive themselves to be experts at. I'm considering metacognition to be thinking about thinking, sort of self reflecting on the how-do-I-do-this. Ultimately, I think there may be some transfer of learning opportunities between the way the expert area is thought about and the reading development, but that's way off. At this point, I'm getting ready to do the interviews. The psychology professor on my committee has a HUGE issue with using the term "expert" with the population. (I will be working with public ABE programs and an incarcerated population who are all native English speakers.) She thinks that the term could be offensive and intimidating. I believe that everyone is gifted in some area and has strength in something. In the ABE population, it just isn't reading, and all too often they get stuck in that 2nd-3rd grade level and never make the transition to fluent reading and comprehension. I'm looking to see if there is something to help unlock that--whatever it might be. Here's the question. In your experience, which I suspect is similar to mine, have you seen areas of expertise in your students? Do you think the term "expert" would be problematic? Any other insights would be much appreciated. Jean Marrapodi Providence Assembly of God Learning Center Providence, RI
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Mon Oct 31 2005 - 09:49:34 EST