Thursday, June 5, 2008

In chapter 2, Grimm claims "I believe writing centers can do a better job of supporting students if we stop locating literacy problems in individuals and instead locate them in cultural constructions" (29).

As I was reading this, I was thinking "absolutely" and "right on." It makes perfect sense to stop blaming individuals for the way they were brought up. None of us can help that we are working class, southern, female, dyslexic, etc. Accepting the "loss of innocence" in the work of the writing center also seems really appropriate. We should be aware of the cultural implication of the work that we do and how we are sometimes supporting those implications.

I just worry about the burden that these models place on the tutors. I am not sure that I could help Mary unpack the assignment that is constructing her in particular ways and then help her decide how to deal with those constructions on the spot. Is it fair to expect tutors to think that quickly and deeply? Will it help students more or less than more typical approaches in the short term and the long term?
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1 comment:

Carolyn A. Jones said...

I questioned one of Grimm's statements: When writing center people learn to think aloud as they read drafts, juxtaposing competing responses for writers to see and hear, they can then assist students in learning positions, in seeing possibilities for redesign, in mapping the cultural tensions that are carried in competing notions of literacy. Meta-discursive fluency - the ability to recognize and articulate the different values, expectations, and habits of mind that underlie competing cultural notions of literacy - is a skill that most effective writing center workers develop without conconscious awareness" (52). When I read that statement, I wrote, "Really". Is it that easy to do. I really don't think so. I'm with Emily, I'm not sure I could unpack the assignment and contributing constructions on the spot or even with some thought. How would one learn to do this? Is is just through being a good listener?

Thursday, June 05, 2008

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