Reflection: The Basic Writer

The consideration about BW that struck me the most was the idea that the title "remedial" could itself be disheartening to a student. It identifies the student as someone who is "bad" at something that the he or she should be "good" at by now. It has an inherent tone of disappointment, as if the rich history they have lived through has somehow failed them. For this reason, I imagine any class I teach with a "remedial" purpose must treat students like they have the ability to do what is asked of them and that my purpose is simply to show them they have that ability. What is learning but the exposure of a person to a thing, experience, idea, or theory? Is it possible that the only reason they are in a "remedial" course is simply lack of exposure? Is there any reason to believe that, after exposure and encouragement, they would continue to fail for some inherent reason? There is already an admission of grit and determination by the mere presence of a student in the course. They understand that the power structure has deemed them in need of "remediation" and they not only accept their deficiency but desire to improve. That itself speaks a lot about the students, and should be made clear to the students.