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Ailyn Maung
Hnou Lee
October 16, 2022
Thematic Reflection #2:
So far into the semester, we have discussed and learned more about knowledge,
representation, and power. For this thematic reflection I will be focusing on knowledge.
Knowledge is something that is important as it is something that helps expand our minds.
Knowledge as time goes on is something that continues to develop, change and grow,
there are multiple ways people tend to learn knowledge. In one of the provided readings by
Meiland - The Difference Between High School and College, the author states “The method of
study most commonly used is memorization..” (Meiland, p. 80.) This is something that stood out
to me as from grades K-12 we were all taught that memorizing the taught material was
important. In my opinion, I slightly disagree with this method of perceiving knowledge because
there are different ways of learning and I do believe this is not the most efficient way to learn.
Since this is not the most efficient way of learning, is it true or even proven that students are
actually learning the given material and understanding it, or are they mainly just memorizing
because they have to in order to succeed in education? I believe educators should learn different
ways to teach students instead of making them only memorize the material, since it is uncertain
that students actually understand the provided material. Instead, educators should teach students
different ways to understand given material, for example allowing students to share their
knowledge with their peers on the material that is being taught. By doing this, students can prove
how they understand the material and even apply their knowledge towards things outside of
class. This concept ties into how every student learns differently, and how each student uses their
knowledge in their everyday lives.
Having knowledge and education is something that a person can use to gain power. In
another reading by Malcolm X - Saved, the reading discusses how regardless of your own
personal situation, seeking higher forms of education and furthering your knowledge can all
happen with the start of yourself. The author states “..my reading of books, months passed
without me even thinking about being imprisoned. In fact, up to then, months passed without me
even thinking about being imprisoned. In fact, up to then, I never had been so truly free in my
life.” (Malcolm, p. 129.) When the author stated this, it stood out to me because with his own
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decisions, he decided regardless of being in prison, he still wanted to read and seek higher
education, which allowed him to feel free and in control of his life. Another statement in the
reading, “I took special pains to hunt in the library for books that would inform me on details
about black history,” (Malcolm, p. 131.) This is a statement that stood out to me as that
regardless of imprisonment Malcolm wanted to teach himself about civil rights and the history of
his own ethnic/racial background. I believe this whole provided reading shows how knowledge
really is power, and this reading shows how the author is a really powerful figure in the civil
rights movement as he educated himself on black history. I believe this reading is a good
influence to inspire others that with whatever background, you are still able to gain power but it
is all based on your actions.
Along with knowledge, there are different ways you can perceive and process that given
information. In another reading that was provided in class by Staley - How do you perceive and
process information, the author talks about the different learning styles. As well as in another
provided reading by James - Understanding who is smart the author discusses how there are
different types of intelligence. The reading states “But learning style theory says we all have
preferences in terms of how we perceive and process information,” (Staley, p. 11.) Like
discussed in one of our classes, everyone has different ways of learning. I believe people’s
learning styles connect to intelligence. I believe people who have more of a visual/spatial
intelligence learn better with a visual style. I believe this is very important because this can be
better for how someone can learn. To further explain, someone who is more of a visual learner
may not be able to learn aurally or may not be the best when being taught aurally.
Overall, with the reading discussed in class and assignments, this also furthered my
knowledge. These readings helped me understand that there are different ways of being taught,
processing, and learning knowledge. I also know that with furthering your own knowledge
comes great power.