More or Less Democracy in the Internet Age...

More or Less Democracy in the Internet Age

After reading this publication and being involved in the other graduate studies class “ The Critical Reader” I viewed this differently than most. The tools being used are the necessary skills in debating, internet capability, and participation in public forums. The issues are comparable to those of minority stature would feel. I say this because as I was reading and came across the part about why ordinary
Internet surfers” views are not valid or held to a standard because of their position in the world. Made me realized that what those democratic people or going through is the same as cultures or races. Why can we as surfers, teachers, counselors, or any other middle class workers comment on what our country’s problem is? I mean are we not the majority compared to those who argue for us? Why our presidential crews, governors, or other politicians aren’t engage in chat rooms with the people?

I’ll tell everyone why….

It is because we as citizen are very critical and informed on our surroundings, because that is what the internet and media has given us. We can pose valid questions and will probably be told that it cannot be answered at this time. We know the difference, between a truthful statement, or some covering up their tracks. We as the middle class KNOW B.S and we will call it. So, my understanding is that these democratic forums are used to keep what little knowledge they know a secret from us and not allow us to know what little knowledge they have.

At the end of this... The question is??? Is Democracy more or less in the internet age……

I say LESS.. Because even though we have the tools to have more and have we do not have more input in the right channels, thus, who is listening to us? We all the tools out there we are talking to ourselves, it’s very rare to see a public forum go viral and hit CNN or get federal attention. “That’s why the impulsive, impassioned, self-interested masses of people of faith are drawing on liberal pluralism, postmodern diversity, identity politics, and the Internets anarchistic/libertarian culture. Hence, we the people are participating in the shifting mobilizations while favoring the Zapatistas, and opposing the World Trade Organization.”(Kann, 2005)

Enlightened by this....

Enlightened by this....

A topic that I found “Enlightening” was the literary debate and the participatory culture aspects. Reading the two articles made me looks left and right of the technological spectrum. However, after a few days of thinking about it, I have come to a conclusion. Participatory culture is the new wave of technological education, and it isn’t going anywhere soon. Also, the way it’s describes by Jenkins in his article “Confronting the challenges of participatory culture: Media Education for the 21^st Century,” is widely informative. Then, looking back at Motoko Rich’s article “Literacy Debate- R U Really Ready,” I found certain similarities.

The two are similar because the 4 keys mentioned in Jenkins “Affiliation, Expressions, Collaborative problem- solving, and Circulation, “are the building blocks of learning participatory culture. Those keys are also new ways students of communicating, being creative, growing socially, and contributing to society. Moving along, students were interviewed in Motoko’s article and were cited saying that the “Internet is just easier, and that it’s to the point.” (Rich, 2008) Comparing the two article, it seems student are more aware of the “Expressions, and Collaborative problem- solving” aspects of Jenkins participatory culture theories.  Students are more into researching WiKIpedia than looking for primary source account. Which Jenkins mentions as one of the three core problems that students are facing in this participatory culture they are involve in.

Some errors in participatory culture is something Jenkins mentioned, “Participation Gap.” The Participation Gap is damaging, because its affects are kind of unknown. Students after spending their time on the internet are coming away with vast knowledge that they don’t know where to apply it. That’s why the introduction of Jenkins ideas of new skills needs to be address to the guidance of these students lives; the teachers and parents. If the influential people in the students’ life were more aware of the skill necessary to be successful in the participatory culture realm, then the gap can diminish. However, there isn’t anyone to blame but time; time meaning that the rotation will complete its route once this generation learns this new media literacy and applies it to their children and students.

Some key skills that need to be put into practice are more workshops that allow teachers to develop online communities, and ways to let their new age student outlet. How can we as teacher be prepared? If we ourselves are confused on how to connect with this new found culture. Just look at Motoko’s debate from the students’ side. All of the students were eager to let out some sort of idea, creativity, and a way for someone to help them. When one of the students stated in Rich’s article “They go through a lot of details that aren’t really needed; online just gives you what you need, nothing more or less.” (Rich, 2008) This quote speak volumes to me because it says that comprehension is overrated and the new student is relying on collaborative problem- solving to achieve his research assignment. The problem I am having along with others is that the internet isn’t always right and its tearing down all the skills that were taught at a young age.  

In conclusion, our culture is declining because we (traditionalist) are on our way out and we aren’t letting go. The “New Age” of technology is here and we all need to learn it to advance our students needs..

New Blog Literacy Debate " R U really Reading"

Hello Everyone,

I hope you all have read the article for this weeks' paper and discussion and feel as passionated about speaking about it as much as I do... lol..

After reading the article, I came to the conclusion that our country has not only became soft, enabling parents for our children, but also allowed society to change us teachers for the worst. Now, do not get me wrong, I do feel that literacy is VERY important and NEEDS to be targeted. However, to change our teaching strategies, and the ways to evaluate our students is ridiculous. Just because students scores are going down because of the increase in social media and technolgy should not mean WE need to retrack and reform. What the internet is doing is taking away the very essentials that our genreation learned and strive on. The internet is creating and promoting creativity, fake social identities, ways to get around your assignments( Short cuts). The internet is taking away our children's ability to reason (inference), bulid conclusion, physical interaction, and sturdy informative bases to build on.

Our country at one point was a "Superpower" in regards to education because of they way they learned. Fifty years ago when you went to schools and read your textbook, listened to your teacher, and  research information that wasn't S-P-E-L-L-E-D out for you; you actually learned the WHOLE topic and it allowed you to created a strong point for discussion and/or for a movement. With the internet, we as Americans are losing our identies, confidence, and are coming to the table with weak points that can be broken. When I say coming to the table; I mean how many times can you testify that our politicians have made stupid decisions, comments, or presented forums with grammatical errors in writing and in speech. Why is that? Because the internet has allowed us to take short cuts... it allows our students to google their HW and copying their papers for approval.

AGAIN, I think TECHNOLOGY is GREAT!!!! Although, it should be used to advance our special needs students; it should be used to show media like topic videos, presentations, current events, and etc. If the country is going in this direction then as a whole we need to reevaulate the state testing. Because in the end we are killing our students with these inferencing reading comprehension quesions and eassy that is going to allow them to speak freely.

In conlcusion, as a teacher, coach, and athletic; I have seen this movie before and it's not turning out good. Years ago, we had certian sports/activities taken away from the physical education department, because of AN accident. Because of these actions you can see the new athletes of today are much more likely to quit a sport, not participate in an activity, and will not give 100 percent effort. These habits are created, and is not innate. Students in class will soon be able to take any assignment a teacher gives out and get the answers from the internet.

Any way, I feel I just did a rant, so i'm stopping...lol.... HAPPY READING

Hello Everyone,

My Name is Robert John Vandunk and I am a secondary teacher at Mt. Vernon High School in Mt. Vernon New York. I do not know if many of you are familiar with this school but it has a vast amount of stereotypes. I hope to take everything from this program and apply it to my classes and hope to see change.

I am a big believer in "Hands-on" Strategies as well as metacognitive approaches in teaching. Teaching is the front line of the future and we all need to be "Hands-on," so what better way to do that then connecting with them with things they like to do.

I hope New Media and New Literacies and help us all achieve that and close the gap...