J.

Dainty (1027220)

Final Reflection - Synthesis

University of Guyana

Department of Curriculum and Instruction

ERE4207: Issues and Trends in Literacy Education

Lecturer: Mrs. Cromarty

Date: 30th April 2023

 Introduction

Over the past few months, I was given the pleasure of completing a course that not only

educated me on the many aspects of literacy, but it introduced me to methods and strategies that I

have begun to conduct in my classroom to combat the many issues I face in teaching literacy. In

this reflection, I would like to share my journey on what I’ve learned, what I would like to put

into practice, etc.

 Final Reflection – Synthesis

What did you know? Coming into this course, made me feel like I

knew next to nothing when it came to the

deeper complexities of literacy. However,

Mrs. Cromarty ensured to let me know that

even though I felt that way, I could still input

my ideas into the topics we looked at. For

example, I found that I knew the subject areas

linked to literacy and what is expected of me

in teaching them to my class.

What did you learn? It would be an understatement to say I learned

a lot during this course. I was able to learn

new approaches to subject areas such as

fluency – I’ve learned about prosody and

automaticity (Griffith & Rasinski, 2004),

comprehension, vocabulary, etc. I’ve learned

how the brain is actually very important in the

process of learning. My learning of just how

pivotal the brain is when it comes to reading

(and learning too), makes me more aware of

what could be the reasons that my learners

might be struggling in the area of reading.

“The way a teacher focuses a student’s

 attention can affect the nature of learning-

induced changes in specific brain circuits.”

(McCandliss & Toomarian, 2020)

What would you like to learn more According to McCandliss & Toomarian

(2020), “Combining the science of reading

about?
and math development with brain imaging has

led to new insights into how brain circuits

change as children master these foundational

educational skills.” I would love to learn more

about neuroscience and its connection to

learning – to see how it can improve learning

for pupils.

I would also love to learn more about how

comprehension can be differentiated for

pupils. How can I cater to each of their needs

effectively and provide just enough while also

being able to know when I am pushing too

much? 

What would you like to apply to your I would like to apply more effective methods
in teaching literacy skills such as fluency and
practice?
how to improve my pupils’ reading. Fluency

and reading are major weaknesses I have

noticed not only in my class but in school as a

 whole. I aim to learn as much as I can in

terms of combating the issues I have come

across in my time teaching.

What recommendations would you Throughout the journey of completing this

course, I have enjoyed the process. In terms

give to improve the course?
of recommendations to improve the course, I

think because it was online, I wasn’t able to

fully grasp some concepts and connect with

Mrs. Cromarty. It would have been great to

have a few in-person lectures or activities.

Overall, I think this was a successful course.

 Conclusion

After much thought and reviewing my journey of Issues and Trends within Literacy Education,

I have come to the conclusion that I have become a much better educator. I have already begun

to share what I have learned with my fellow teachers at work, and we are engaged in discussing

the issues we have within teaching literacy. With what I have learned from this course, I am sure

I along with my fellow teachers who have taken this course, will put into practice what we have

learned and see positive results in the near future.

 References

Griffith, L. & Rasinski, T. (2004). A focus on fluency: How one teacher incorporated fluency

with her reading curriculum. International Reading Association.

McCandliss, B., & Toomarian, E. (2020). Putting Neuroscience in the Classroom: How the Brain

Changes As We Learn. The Pew Charitable Trusts.

https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/trend/archive/spring-2020/putting-neuroscience-in-the-

classroom-how-the-brain-changes-as-we-learn