Good evening everyone, I've spent a little time this evening looking at and trying to wrap my mind around a particular part of chapter two: Figures 2.2a and 2.2b. I know that the information in these tables will be explained in further detail in later chapters but I was interested in everyone's thoughts on a couple pieces... In 2.2a, Ellin writes that "the use of strategies may lead us to experience the following outcomes". I had a couple of my own "I wonders..." I wonder if certain genres or writing styles would lead to certain ways of thinking and make us more susceptible to some of Ellin's listed outcomes and not others... Also, would variations in a reader's learning styles and strategy usage lead us to be more likely to experience "character empathy" vs... say "a sense of the aesthetic." If comprehension is really a construction of meaning, a mental dialogue between the reader and the writer, then I am thinking the answer to this question is "Yes, of COURSE!" I was trying to pay attention to my own inner conversation as I reread this chapter to try to determine what outcomes of understanding I was experiencing. They were: "A sense of importance," "connections", "Author's intent", "A sense of the aesthetic," "fascination" and "A revision of one's knowledge." Interestingly, I think because of Ellin's rather personal writing style, some of the narrative outcomes fit too: I feel the power of the conference Ellin had with Jamika, the feeling of wanting to sing"God Bless America" when our kids do something brilliant. I can so relate to these things because of that empathy---or is it because of the connections I am making??? :-) Anyway-- I would be interested in hearing whether or not listserv members are getting different outcomes of understanding and seeing if we can get at whether or not it is strategies or learning styles or background knowledge that might trigger different outcomes of understanding in different people. As for 2.2b...what happens in our lives... I was wondering if anyone else seems to be finding that so many of these are in play right now for you as you are reading posts on this listserv and revisiting this chapter. Look at how we have been dwelling in ideas, struggling for insight, revising our thinking. There have been emotional connections for me as I have actually been collecting what I believe to be very powerful language and ideas that resonate for me from several posts as well as the book. I have been recording snippets of what I have been reading in my journal and even posting a few quotes around my computer to refer back to and to think about. I was trying to think if there are other outcomes of understanding that Ellin hasn't already listed. The only thing that comes to me is how FUN this has been! I look forward to reading each post and I am really thinking that I am going to have to start to discipline myself to reading only once or twice a day...I have other things I should be doing! :-) Certainly Ellin refers to the joy that comes from fervent learning but joy isn't listed on the table. Perhaps not all fervent learning is joyous...but this sure is! Looking forward to hearing everyone's thoughts. Jennifer
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