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Hi Honza,<br>
<br>
One word... "Literacy"!<br>
<br>
Literacy is an amazing word. It means the ability to read and write.
I've heard the term "ASL Literacy" and I shake my head. They use the
word literacy to mean educated, but that's because of the history of
the word - only the educated could read and write.<br>
<br>
Before you can appreciate literacy, you need to understand each skill
involved. Reading is not a single skill, but 4 distinct skills
that build on one another. The first level is elementary reading: the
ability to understand symbols individually, symbols together to form
word, and words together to form sentences.<br>
<br>
The second level is inspectional reading. How long would it take you
to read a 400 page book? It really depends on the quality of the
book. Some books only deserve 5 minutes. Other books deserve multiple
readings. Inspectional reading assumes that you have 5 minutes with a
book. You read the cover, back page, the index at the back and the
table of contents at the beginning. You then flip through the entire
book. After 5 minutes you should be able to explain the basics of the
book, and you should be able to decide whether the book is worth your
time to read as a whole or in part. If you only have 5 minutes with a
DVD, you'll probably still be navigating the menu.<br>
<br>
The third level of reading is analytical. Is it a practical or a
theoretical book? Practical books deal with what works. Theoretical
books have something to be understood. The distinction is between
action and knowledge. Theoretical books teach you that something is.
Practical books teach you how to do something. Analytical reading
requires that you create an outline of the book, either in your head or
on paper. It also requires that you come to terms with the author.
The author will use words (or signs) in a certain way. Understanding
the main words the author is using is of the utmost importance. Next
in analytical reading is to understand the author's message. Is his
message personal opinion or is it supported by reason. Lastly, you
need to understand the author's solution. Only then will you really
understand the book, and only then can you state that you agree,
disagree, or you're not sure about the author's message.<br>
<br>
The fourth level of reading is syntopical reading. Syntopical reading
involves more than one book and more than one author. Syntopical
reading is really about discovering the shape of the discussion. The
first step is to find several works that discuss the main idea. The
next step is to understand all of the special terms the various authors
use that may or may not be the same. Next you'll need to define the
questions and issues. Only then can you understand the discussion at
large. <br>
<br>
Writing is a whole other topic. It includes penmanship, note taking,
outlining, freewriting, and editing.<br>
<br>
Literacy change the structure and quality of the mind. Merely watching
a video will never compare with active and skillful reading. I find
the idea of pressing a record or play button equal in skill to the
mastery of literacy to be laughable. <br>
<br>
This is an amazing time in history when book, pens, pencils, paper and
notecards are so cheap. It's easy to underestimate the power of the
mind. But a computer, no matter how fancy or flashy, will never
compare to what the skillful individual can achieve through the skill
of literacy.<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
-Steve<br>
<br>
<br>
Honza wrote:
<blockquote
cite="mid:a932ce170708071253w24e9122r4afd9da3133c9a83@mail.gmail.com"
type="cite">I hope most of sw-l members have subscrbed again for a
list, so there is someone answering.<br>
<br>
as you know when telling people about SignWriting there are always
people saying "thats good think" and another people saying "why SW when
we have cameras, computers.. there is no sence writing sign language
when it is easier just to record it on camera" <br>
<br>
I always answer but don't have camera or computer always by you.. <br>
<br>
what is your opinion, what would you answer?<br>
thank all of you.. <br>
(If there are enought answer I will publish your answer in Czech deaf
magazine) - thats not warning at all ;) <br>
<br>
Honza<br>
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