The (Il)literate Lineman Deconstructing the Literacy Myth through Ethnographic Inquiry

Line Installers and Repairers Vast networks of wires and cables provide customers with electrical power. . . . Networks of electrical power lines deliver electricity from generating plants to customers. . . . These networks are constructed and maintained by electrical powerline installers and repairers. . . . US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (Occupational Outlook Handbook, http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos195.htm)

“The Linemen’s Room” exit to work clock Journeymen chalkboard enter/ superintendent’s office clock Journeymen chalkboard apprentice linemen

The Texts Job Order Tickets Time Sheets

The Job Order Ticket

Time Sheets

(Il)literacy in Context lit*er*a*cy (lit’ər-ə-sē) n. 1. The condition or quality of being literate, especially the ability to read and write The condition or quality of being knowledgeable in a particular subject or field: cultural literacy, biblical literacy, computer literacy con*text (kän’təkst’) n. The circumstances in which an event occurs; a setting

Texts in Context

Literacy as an Electrical Line Worker SKILLS (technical and functional expertise): Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications. Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it. Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed. Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools. Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance. Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job. Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. Controlling operations of equipment or systems. Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems. KNOWLEDGE (the knowledge of) Machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance. Materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads. Principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits. Relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Literacy as an Electrical Line Worker (continued) ABILITIES (the ability to) Quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects. Coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion. Arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations). Imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged. Make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects. Keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position. Bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs. Tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. Quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object. See details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). SOURCE: “Career Guide for Electrical Power Line Installer and Repairer” (Commonwealth of Virginia, http://jobs.state.va.us/careerguides/electricalpowerlineinstaller.htm)

The Literacy Crisis The literacy crisis in America, and in many countries, is not so much that kids or adults can't read; while there are literacy gaps that need attention, the crisis is the fact that the crisis is constructed and operates as a controlling myth of American culture, and instead of developing programs to foster lifelong literacy, most public discussions of literacy focus on simple, binary definitions of literacy (literate/illiterate), teacher accountability, standardized testing, and mechanistic, skill and drill solutions which may produce better test results but do little to foster literacy practices. Further, in these instances, literacy is used as a political tool to draw attention away from other larger concerns in our culture. When literacy itself is touted as the tool for success, other impediments such as social inequalities or poor funding are covered over. SOURCE: “The Need for the Journal of Literacy and Technology,” The Journal of Literacy and Technology (May 2000): http://www.literacyandtechnology.org/main/ed.html

The (Il)literate Lineman Deconstructing the Literacy Myth through Ethnographic Inquiry Contact information Shannon_Carter@tamu-commerce.edu: swilliams19@leo.tamu-commerce.edu