Double Entry Journal #8

The challenge presented by Situated Language and Learning, A critique of traditional schooling, by James Paul Gee, is how to teach all children, regardless of their social class, the necessary skills to be successful in school and in an ever changing and complex world. 

The main argument in this book is addresses how language affects the many ways in which we learn.  The numerous types of specialized registers of language, such as those associated with science, mathematics, technology, internet, and video games, can either hinder or promote learning for a student.  This depends greatly on each student’s personal background, experiences, and unfortunately, social class.  Students with a lower socioeconomic status have less exposure to language and its diversity, and typically receive less support at home.  According to Gee, students will be most successful at learning these specialized registers when they do so through context and experiences that they find engaging and interesting.   I agree with his sentiment that the academic register of language is not enough and think that in order to create independent, successful citizens of the 21^st century it is essential that we educate children in a way that is accessible and achievable by all.  I love how the author invites the reader to think about the way that video and computer games accomplish this, through simulation and fantasy, and encourages making this connection to teaching. 

By “way with words,” the author simply means the way in which a person expresses themselves with language.  A person’s “way with words” may be very appealing or can completely disengage the audience.  Personally, I like the way this book is written.  The word choice and humor (so far) are interesting to me.  I can see how some people will not appreciate the author’s style, or as he put it, will feel like they are “about to fall into the black hole of “jargon” and “academic language” – language they don’t particularly like or care about.”

Outside of school I have learned several different “ways with words” for varying situations. As a child I played sports and was a cheerleader, all of which had unique language registers.  Throughout middle school I played musical instruments and participated in choir, which also have their own jargon and technical terms.  As an adult, I formally studied American Sign Language, and have become a mother… two new and immense forms of language specialties.  Currently, I am surrounded with the lingo of a teacher as I near the end of my Elementary Education degree. 

Sources:

Gee, J. P. (2004). Situated language and learning: A critique of traditional schooling. New York, NY: Routledge.