Re: How do YOU read?
KEN GOODMAN (KGOODMAN who-is-at CCIT.ARIZONA.EDU)
Sat, 23 Dec 1995 09:54:21 -0700 (MST)
I think we need to put the discussion of how well readers construct a text and
meaning which corresponds to the writers text and meaning in a trannsactional
context. It's not unimportant that the reader is trying to understand
the author, the author's intents and motivation, but far more important
is the relative "distance" between what each brings to the transaction. If
I read an author I know personnally- Gordon for example- I see his face, hear
his voice, put I read into the context of what I know about his beliefs. and
since I share many of those I may even go beyond what he is saying to project
my own expectations of what I believe we would say on the topic of the writing.
On the otherhand there are writers on this network whose recent comments I
have taken "at face value" to me. I may be overreacting- as Judy D. argues
perhaps she has more awareness of the general views of the authors. ANd I am
certainly putting their comments of teaching ethincally and socioeconomically
diverse learners into my own strong views on the subject. The point is that
each case I construct my own meaning which may be closer or farther from the
writers depending on what we each bring to the transaction.
As a teacher, I often lament how much of the meaning- for me- my students have
missed in a particular reading- as when a student professes agreement on
successive response cards to two diametrically opposed views. But I then
remind myself that that's the way the reading process works. And I know where
I need to begin with my teaching.
Ken Goodman