Key Concepts in Motivation, Literacy, and Black History

Grit

Defined as passion and perseverance for long-term goals by Angela Duckworth

Active Reading

Reading “actively” (paying attention and understanding what you are reading while linking it to other concepts), which helps you decode difficult texts

Blackwell - Reading while incarcerated saved me

Incarcerated for 45 years, left school at 14, reading helped him understand different concepts such as: toxic masculinity, restorative justice and violence in his past, prison bans books about certain topics because they could be “escape risks”

Malcolm X Autobiography

Malcolm X, in prison, teaching himself to read, frustrated because he could not articulate himself and express himself in his letters to Elijah Mohammad, uses the dictionary to learn words and expand his vocabulary, learning about how history was whitened, emphasizing his newfound drive to change the world

Owens Murphy - Reading behind bars

History of book bans, “safety and security” justifications for those bans, how bans are arbitrary and inconsistent, life writing as his liberation

3 literacy theories

Literacy as a social practice, multiliteracies, critical literacy

Literacy as a social practice

literacy as something people do in meaningful, cultural and social contexts not just reading/writing skills (context + power shapes literacy)

Multiliteracies

Literacy includes multiple modes (text, video, images, digital media)

Students must understand visual, digital, and cultural communication

Critical Literacy

Literacy as a tool to question power and inequality

Reading connected to building awareness and justice

Primary source

A first hand account of an experience

Secondary source

An academic analysis of primary texts

Life writing

Writing based on lived expierence

Close reading

Detailed analysis of language, form, meaning in a text

Political Awakening

Gaining awareness of social, racial, and systemic injustice through reading/writing

Spaced Practice

Learning in small intervals over time by spacing learning out over time to improve long term memory

Interleaving

Switching between topics while studying, strengthening connections between ideas

Elaboration

Explaining and expanding on ideas in detail

Lateral Reading

You leave the source and check it against outside sources

Confirmation bias

Tendency to seek, interpret and remember information that supports your existing beliefs

Naysayer

An imagined or real opposing viewpoint introduced in your writing to strengthen your argument by acknowledging objections

APA

citation and formatting style

American psychological association

Growth Mindset

Abilities and intelligence can improve if you work at it

Fixed Mindset

Abilities and intelligence cannot improve even if you work at it

Literacy

The ability to read and write

Genre

A category of text that groups works together based on stylistic, thematic elements, etc

Academic Integrity

A commitment to honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility in academic work

Articulate

Express ideas clearly

Nuance

A subtle difference in meaning, expression, and tone

Critique

Analyzing a text through a series of questions and other methods

Synthesize

To make something

Ambivalent

Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone

Motivation

Psychological driving force that enables action in the pursuit of that goal

Goal

The representation of a desired state or a mental idea of how we would like things to turn out

Extrinsic Motivation

Motivation that comes from the benefits associated with achieving a goal

Intrinsic Motivation

Motivation that comes from the benefits associated with the process of pursuing a goal

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Theory that individuals must satisfy physical survival needs before they seek to meet the needs of belonging

Need

A relatively lasting condition or feeling that requires relief or satisfaction and that tends to influence action over the long term

Self-efficacy

The ability to produce a desired or intended result

Self-determination Theory

Theory suggesting that understanding needs influences motivation

SQ4R

A study method that includes Survey, Question, Read, Respond, Record, Review

Rhetorical Flexibility

The ability to produce good writing in any situation

Fluidity of Literacy

Literacy is fluid throughout generations and closely connected to wealth, race, and poverty

Core Concept

A big idea or main idea

Reading to Understand

The process of engaging with texts to gain deeper comprehension

Frustration sparked learning

Malcolm X's experience that led him to educate himself

Dictionary as a tool

Resource used by Malcolm X to aid his learning

Books as an 'Escape'

Malcolm X's view of reading as a means of liberation

Engaging with Black History

Malcolm X's exploration of his cultural identity through reading

Prisons banning books

A practice that hinders the rehabilitation of incarcerated individuals

Long-term memory

Information stored for later retention and retrieval.

Working Memory

A form of short-term memory used when actively performing a task.

Testing as a learning tool

Tests invoke lasting learning and provide feedback for improvement.

Lecture information retention

Leaves faster due to lower stimulation.

Daily activities memory

Much of a student's memory of daily activities leaves quickly.

Forms of questioning

Multiple choice, fill in the blank, true or false questions help recall information.

Mr. Muhammad's teachings

Stressed how history has been 'whitened' by white men writing history books.

Understanding of black history

Encouraged learning about black people's achievements and struggles.

Reading in prison

Became a leisure activity that led to understanding and enjoyment of books.

Copying the dictionary

Method used to learn words and their meanings.

Struggle with reading

Initially compared to reading Chinese.

Outrage over lights out

Claimed to always be in the middle of something interesting while reading.

Using outside light to read

Continued reading by adjusting to light peering into his room.

Importance of memory exposure

Frequent exposure helps the brain store information.

Testing

Evaluates learning and identifies areas for improvement.

Learning through dictionary study

Studying the dictionary led to improved vocabulary and writing skills.

Malcolm X fighting for black rights

Motivated by newfound understanding of black history and culture.

Memory retention

Information must be stored in long-term memory for later use.

Reading comprehension

Improved through practice and exposure to diverse texts.

Learning methods

Unorthodox approaches can lead to significant learning improvements.

Importance of history

Understanding history from multiple perspectives is crucial.

Short term memory

Helps remember things done in a recent amount of time, such as remembering where something was placed.

Long term memory

Things we recall from the past that have become long term memory from transferring from short term memory due to frequent exposure to the information.

Stress while studying

Can help your brain function better when the real stress of testing arrives.

Effective study techniques

Read all assigned lessons, attend all classes, take notes during each class, review and improve notes, study regularly, re-read significant text passages, review with classmates, take authentic practice tests, practice timed writing, and get enough sleep every night.

Summarization structure

Introduce, Argument, Evidence, Quote, Explain the quote, So what, who cares (why does it matter to the reader), Sum it up.

Spaced Practice

Studying less at different times instead of cramming.

Lateral Reading

Researching through more than one source by opening multiple websites or other sources to check for validity and credibility.

Danger of a single story

A concept by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie highlighting how a single perspective can narrow understanding and lead to stereotypes.

Fact Checking Sources

Three questions to determine validity: Who is behind the information? What is the evidence for the claims? What do others say about this claim?

Evaluating Evidence

Evidence is not created equally; some are more reliable than others.

Power of Stories

Stories are memorable and impactful, causing more interest and influencing decisions based on emotion first, then logic.

Self Efficacy

An individual's belief in their ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task.

Learned helplessness

A psychological state where an individual feels powerless to change a negative situation after repeated exposure.

Discourse

Speak or write authoritatively about a topic.

Ideology

A system of ideas and ideals.

Paradigm

A typical example or pattern of something.

Agency

Action or intervention, especially such as to produce a particular effect; the ability to make decisions and act independently.

Hegemony

Leadership or dominance, typically by a country or social group.

Culture

The shared beliefs, values, customs, arts, and social behaviors of a particular group of people or a society.

Implicit

Implied, though not plainly expressed.

Explicit

Stated clearly and in detail, leaving no room for confusion or doubt.

Citations

A quotation from or reference to a book, paper, or author, especially in scholarly work.

Hidden curriculum

The unwritten lessons, values, and perspectives students learn in an educational setting.

Pedagogy

The method and practice of teaching, especially as an academic subject or theoretical concept.

Oppression

The unjust or cruel treatment of a group of people through the exercise of power.

Representation

The description or portrayal of someone or something in a particular way or as being of a certain nature.

Narrative

A story or account of a series of events, either true or fictional, that is told in a structured way.

Identity

A set of qualities, beliefs, and behaviors that define who you are, both as an individual and as a member of social groups.

Authors of AI in the workplace article

Jordan Loewen-Colon and Mel Sellick