Reflection

One common thread between all three of the English classes I’ve been taking this semester is the strong benefit small groups have when doing English coursework. Even in classes where the assignments are turned in individually, the ability to share work with peers and get an idea of what they’re doing has been helpful.

In 332 in particular, I’ve liked the emphasis on looking at literacy as it’s practically used, not just an idealized longing for when students learned “real” literacy. Literacy needs to address the way students communicate and interact. Teachers need to encouraged to bring new methods and tools into the classroom. Fixating on standardized testing is driving English classrooms towards the rote summary; constant checkups on whether students have read the material, but little concern on the way anyone intends them to use it.

While the many opportunities to talk about games were of course a fun part of the class, I think the most enjoyable part still comes back to the story creating group project. I’d love to see the format expanded into a longer assignment. It might be something that Google Docs helps enable students edit a story rapidly while keeping the same storytelling momentum.

I hope the remaining English classes I’m taking at Chico will have the same open-endedness and exploratory attitude of 332.