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 21st 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..
As traditionalists (those who put greater emphasis on non-internet based texts) I think that new medias, and using them to engage students, requires nimble thinking. We know that when our own passions in our content areas are engaged, we can more easily engage students. Sometimes this can cause limiting in the "bag of tricks" to only what educators find engaging, which decreases the amount of medias used, limiting student exposure and mastery of new medias.
ReplyDeleteI've found that the easiest way to stay on top of new medias is to participate in student-led after school activities, such as sports and clubs. By just being around and listening, and engaging students on non-threatening topics (ie, non-school based talk) they easily open up about their culture*, and will often explain to an adult when they don't understand. I've even had students pull out their iPhones to show me the app, or to look up on their Wiki-app the topic and show me the article on the topic. Who doesn't like being an expert on a topic and take the time to regal someone? Students will keep us in the loop, and then we just need to practice it in our own time, and become comfortable with it enough to bring it into the classroom.
*I'm pleased to report that two teenage girls on the cross-country team informed me that "Miley Cyrus makes okay music, I like her music, but her as a person...not so much".
I agree with your concerns on 'the internet'. I would like for us to consider things in the context of how we as educators integrate and use the tools. Yes, we must know there is an expected difference in our expectations of the students when using the internet in a 'casual' or less formal way. It is up to us to help them know and master the RIGHT way to engage with digital material in the context of learning, reading, critical thinking and research. I think that both you John and Carl are on the right path of learning their world to provide a learning environment to learn some of 'our world!
ReplyDelete"The problem I am having along with others is that the internet isn’t always right and it’s tearing down all the skills that were taught at a young age." The internet, like many book stores, has inaccurate materials. The fact that something gets published; whether virtually or in paper does not give it accuracy. I think people need treat the internet like any other source; they need to make sure it is reliable, and double check its content. I think the internet is also used as broad term; we should probably start differentiating the internet between the place many things are hosted from things people posted. As far as the skills go, my grandfather acquired the skills to work the land at a very young age, for his family depended on the land for their survival. Today's youth do not need the same skills that we were taught growing up for times have changed and so have needs. I think it is essential to provide the youth with the skills to be successful in their time.
ReplyDeleteWhile I am a big fan of technology, I am always weary of internet searches for papers and academics. I always picture the State Farm commercial that the woman says she believes everything on the internet. I see students first hand try and use Wikipedia as a primary source... Always fun to try and explain why that is not okay.
ReplyDelete