Good Use: What is it Good For?
I sit here at my computer surrounded by writings about good use. They are beside me, in front of me, next to me. I have read them all many times and I still wonder if I have figured out an answer to "What is good use and what is it good for"?
Good use is something that I feel is ingrained in us from kindergarten on. We are taught the proper way to write and the proper way to talk. It distinguishes the educated from the uneducated. Oh, we may try to say that good use does not matter, but we notice when 'bad use' is evident. We see words that are misspelled and sentences that make no sense at all. We hear words used totally out of context or mispronounced. We try not to be judgmental, but, in the back of our minds, there is a little gnome whispering little opinionated thoughts about the ignorance before us.
Okay! Okay! I can see everyone getting defensive on that last comment. But if we are honest with ourselves, it is true. We talked in class about good use being a class distinction. There is no avoiding it. Of course, there are the extremes. The example of Niles from 'Frazier' is the utmost extreme in constant good use. Or is it? Maybe it is just an example of class. But Frazier would be of the same class as his brother and he does not speak in such extremes.
This is very sad. Now I am arguing with myself in this paper. I think I have triggered an idea, though - Niles is not an example of good use. He is using a dialect that he is comfortable with, that is not common among us. It makes us think of good use because it is so formal. The dialect does consist of good use, but it is not the epitome of it. Frazier and even his Dad speak in ways that would constitute good use. You do not have to use formal english to be considered using good use.
Now it may sound like I am getting away from the class distinction, but I don't think that I am. I think the class still shows up, especially in people who have not had a chance at an education. Then there is a definite lack of good use, as we know it.
Why do children graduate high school without fully understanding concepts that relate to the core subjects of Math, English, Science, and History? Because education is unequal in America. Sociologist Doctor James W. Loewen and award winning writer Jonathan Kozol agree that classicism is to blame. Loewen also believes that history textbooks take some of the blame, for the student’s ignorance of inequality within education. Loewen and Kozol make great points on classicism, and it is important to understand how classism and textbooks affect education, and also to think of solutions to the problem.
...ting them choose their own groups to be in during class, as offering multiple ways to complete projects, different assigned reading topics, and etc. The student can only get out of the class as much as they put in. Even though the students may wish the teachers would give less homework or let them read Sports Illustrated in class, there is a fine line between academic learning that incorporates “street smarts” and academic learning that lacks on the academic part. Teachers must insure their students are learning the required material and that they are not taking detours from learning about topics and ideas that students need to be successful after college.
I feel the author is attempting to convey that class means everything when it comes to education. Mantsios lists several references and charts that show what the odds would be if you were low, middle, or high class to attend a university and what level of education you might obtain.
Israel has been dealing with Palestinian pressures to give back the land that they consider “theirs” and other leaders have had different views on how to handle aggression from the Palestinians. Ehud Olmert’s views included handling the conflict with peace and not using violence. He suggested to Mohamed Abbas a convergence plan which centered around the idea that the Israeli people would be forced out of the West Bank which is an are...
class will bring them satisfaction, but only further alienates them from their ideal lives. It's a sure bet to say
...is model of teaching leaves out the students from poor economic and social disadvantages. Failing to take into account that even if they receive the same education as someone from a middle-class background; these students still have to go home and deal with unfortunate circumstances.
...at woody was just trying to help. The other toys try to help, but it is too late. The cars batteries are out. But then all of a sudden, buzz remembers that he still has the rocket on his back that Sid was going to use to blow him up. This is woody’s rescue from without.
Why do children graduate high school without fully understanding concepts that relate to the core subjects of Math, English, Science, and History? Because education is unequal in America. Sociologist Doctor James W. Loewen and award winning writer Jonathan Kozol agree that classism is to blame. Loewen also believes that history textbooks take some of the blame for the student’s ignorance of inequality within education, while Kozol believes it is ignorance from well educated people that are two blame. Although Loewen and Kozol are correct in citing classism as a problem in the education system, little is acknowledged about a solution.
The first flaw in Millhauser’s argument is his appeal to authority. Millhauser blatantly expounds that people of higher status do not use slang. He states that “slang is not used by the best people” (Millhauser 307). Millhauser’s
One student stated that “as long as I know how to speak slang and proper English, I should be ok” (Godley, p. 708). However, nearly all students felt a need for speaking AE or, at least, avoiding slang in work settings (Godley, p. 708). Students’ arguments in favor is maintaining AE in work situations appeared to be navigated by the belief that AAVE is perceived as negative in mainstream society (Godley, Page 709).
Should good usage matter? This is tricky because it should not matter how proper people can speak as long as they do not sound "dumb as a rock" (if they are not) and they are able to perform their jobs well. Yet, we should not be running around saying sentences like "I ain't got no pen so I ain't gonna do my homework" because this is not even close to correct grammar which is my definition of what good usage really is.
While social class may have some effect on how one may view schooling and formal education, it would not be fair to say that growing up or being in a lower class living situation depreciates the value that one has for school. In many instances, it is assumed that because a person comes from a lower-class background that not only are their values for school lower, than those of higher class, but their education levels and ability to handle and process situations are placed on a lower level as well. While these are indeed horrific stereotypes and generalizations, the idea is perpetuated throughout, primarily, Western culture. It is just simply illogical to believe that one 's education will be taken for granted due to their socio-economic class
In today’s society people are viewed as being in different classes depending on how much money they bring in. The categorization of people is known as classism. Classism is simply the prejudice or in favor of people belonging to a particular social class. Classism is known as one of the largest social problems plaguing the world today. Classes are formed according to how the rules of the following institutions; government regulations and economic status. It is held in place by a system of beliefs and cultural attitudes that ranks people according to their; economic status, family lineage, job status, and level of education. There are three major classifications to which people are titled. They include upper or high class which includes the people with the most money. The middle class who includes the people that brings home the average income. Finally, the class titled the lower class that includes the people who have only one income coming in or none at all (“What Is Classism.”). In the classrooms these classes still remain and the students within each class have different ways in which they learn, and view schooling. We as educators have to look passed their ways and address each class the same.
These class categorization emerged due various reasons like illiteracy, lack of coordination among the society’s people, discrimination, social status, religious beliefs, etc. Here we will be talking about class on the field of education. This class distribution is done by the teachers to categorize their students according to their performance or education. There are both positive and negative impacts of class in education. The positive impacts include motivation to the good students, it will be easier for school authority to focus on poor students, etc.
...ing economic classes is uncertain. Until such a minimum grading program can be instilled in all schools, one which has positive emotional and educational effects on all students, those struggling to achieve as well as those that have found success; minimum grading policies will continue to fail students.