Holly's Response to "Globalizing English through Intercultural Critical Literacy"

I found this article interesting for a couple of reasons.  The first being the use of technology.  I love the idea of partnering with another school in a different culture and using a discussion board to facilitate conversations about literacy and culture. I found it interesting that the author stated that "These differences [cultural differences] tend to remain silent in face-to-face discussions, but they might surface more easily in online discussions where students have time to reflect and compose their responses and inquiries about the cultural values and beliefs that shape their ideas" (p.167).  I think that this is an interesting thought.  I know that I often have a hard time processing how I feel about something or coming up with questions on the spot, but when I am given time to think about it and write, I can usually figure out what I'm thinking and how I feel about a topic.  I think that it's interesting that the authors noted this difference even in high school students.  I am wondering if this might even be true for younger students.  And why is it true?  Why is an online written form of communication more effective than an in person discussion?

Another idea that I found thought provoking was the when the authors quoted Scribner and Cole on page 152: "Literacy is not simply knowing how to read and write a particular script but applying this knowledge for specific purposes in specific contexts of use."  It makes me wonder if this is how we are teaching students today.  Are we only teaching them how to read and write in order to get into college or pass a test, which have to be done, or are we also teaching them how to apply that knowledge in other areas of life that will last them much longer than a college entrance essay or a standardized test?  Are we teaching our students that it's more important to know this information because it's on the test, or are we teaching them the information is important because you can apply it here, here and here? And are we teaching them the correct contexts for use?  That quote brought out some questions for me, as I'm sure you can see.  I don't think these questions have easy answers either.  The answers will take time and may be very complicated, but there are answers.