The Summer Institute Comes to a Close

It's hard to believe that yesterday was our last day at the MSVU Summer Institute in Mississauga. During the two weeks, I created new identities for myself: computer geek, star-staff photographer, peon podcaster, and oscar-worthy filmmaker. Each day, I found a new part of myself. And, that is a fundamental part of being literate...discovering who you are, within particular spaces and places. I really enjoyed meeting and learning from individuals I had only read about until this course: Vivien Vasquez, Guy Merchant, Julia Davies, Michele Knobel, Colin Lankshear, Jerome Harste, Andy Manning and Peggy Albers. Because learning is a social practice, I also enjoyed learning with T and blogger bon.

Another Literacy Researcher was Blye Frank (MC), of Dalhousie University, who,in his closing remarks, reminded us of what really matters in life, learning and literacy:
1. Being able to disrupt the COMMONPLACE
-finding out who we are, not letting others define us, nor trying to define others, finding ways of being, challenging histories and philosophies, etc.

2. Interrogating Multiple Viewpoints
-the biggest research project to work on is "oneself"
-challenge our own viewpoints
-challenge and question other viewpoints
-understand that our position is not necessarily the best
-ask whose voices are heard, whose are left out?

3. Focus on Socio-political Issues

4. Take Action and Promote Social Justice
-fight for "equity" not "equality" - equity recognizes that we are not the same,it ensures that some people will and should be treated differently...especially those who come from disadvantageous environments.
-always reflect and act on our own work...embrace change and evolution.

Blye believes that the issues worthy of our focus include: gender, sexuality, ability, race, age, class, religion, and region. All other issues fall under these umbrellas. Interesting.

After viewing many...many... Public Service Announcements, we, finally, all headed home. T, blogger bon and I went our own separate ways. Congratulations to T and blogger bon, as they have now earned their M.Ed. degrees! What an accomplishment. Feel proud of your efforts. I will miss you guys at convocation...but, please try to celebrate at a REAL Irish Pub...without velour seats and Tom Jones! T...I'll be there next year...I hope.