Blog 1 ...What I learned from Chapters 1-3

Here it finally is...09-13-2010 ...I actually wrote my notes on paper as I was reading (i'm still old school)...but I may add notes here & there as I type from my notes/reading.  So yes it may still be work in progress.  I pulled out the important points that jumped out at me, and will elaborate at the ending after reading my notes again & again--just because this is a way that I learn book/textbook material and keep it logged into my brain. 

READING NOTES, McAndrew & Reignstad
 Tutoring Writing: A Practical Guide for Conferences

Chapter 1, p.1
Theories underpinning Tutoring Writing:  "The theory of tutoring suggests a powerful way to help a writer grow in skill and confidence and also supplies tutors with direction in their practice since these theories have direct implications for the practice of tutoring."

5 Major Theoretical Strands Tutoring

• Social Constructionist Theory
• Reader Response Literary Theories
• Theories of Talk and Writing
• Collaborative Learning
• Feminism

#1 Social Constructionism (SCT) Theory:

-influental across many disciplines
central tenets             research methology

-In composition theory, SCT introduced by:

1. Kenneth Brufee (composition studies)
2. Mikial Bakhtin (Literary theory)
3. Lev Vygotsky (Psycholinguistics)

SCT --language is "social--a phenom. of societies
-created by societies
-serving societies

Language = Social Level                                                            ex. WRITER

1. among its users                                                             -writing alone
2. connecting self w/ others                                              - still connected
3. thru web                                                                          -thinks:    what has read
4. net of shared ideas                                                                          what has heard

                                                                                                     -thinks:    what was said
                                                                                                                    what was previously written
{Always part of society} = {Language}

Reading notes, con't, Chapter 1, p. 1-2

"[A writer] is always a part of society, just as language itself is, so writing is primarily a social act."

Humans construct:

• meaning
• communication
• knowledge              {their world & themselves

PERSONAL understanding ---->>>>>>> others share >>>>> LANGUAGE---reading/listening--to us!

{{ Dialogue}}}}Dialogue...Dialogue = Language

"From this 'other people' or social orientation comes the power and the necessity of dialogue as the source of language, knowledge, and culture." p.2

Vygotsky (1978):  "Language and learning occur through interaction with society."

• Actual Development Level (language & literacy) **can work w/o assistance
• Level of Potencial Development **could work w/ help of teachcer or peer coachin

"So, for Vygotsky, 'Human learning presupposes a specific social nature and a process by which children grow into the intellectual loife of those around them."

My Viewpoint:  This is true because if children, youth, and/or adults are brought up in a negative environment and do not find a place of solace like an educational institution or a positive role model, they will become as inate or productive as their society around them.