By Teresa Espinosa
Street, author of "The New Literacy Studies" conducts a study on literacy and learns of two models presented by theorists and researchers of literacy. The two models are 'autonomous' and 'ideological'. Although Street identifies both models, he really doesn't sway in agreement with one or the other. He explains what they both mean and compares the two models based on theorists findings and research.
The autonomous model is described as literacy free from and unaffected by social context and outside forces such as media, culture, etc. It is driven by institutions. I don't agree with this model since I believe that society and culture are very important in learning literacy. Interpretation based on individual experiences help when developing literacy. One's experiences would motivate someone to write and perhaps read as well in search for something relative.
The ideology model is more the model I agree with. It says that "literacy practices are inextricably linked to cultural and power structures in society to recognize the variety of cultural practices associated with reading and writing in different contexts" (434). Literacy is driven by outside forces contrary to the autonomous model. Olsen stated that text differs from oral language however, they cannot be uninfluenced by culture or society.
The big question is, did writing change us in a way we do analytic thinking? I think not. I believe that writing is a technology that only enhanced the way we think critically. It is a way we can remember things yet we still need to analyze text to gather meaning.
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