Thursday, September 27, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Generation M
Could that article Generation M be any longer? After reading all of that, I feel that I didn't really learn anything that I didn't already assume about children's use of media.
I believe that every second a new MySpace user is born. All you have to do is hang out with some teenagers and they are obsessed! The addiction is really powerful. It reminds me of how I used to talk on the phone until dawn when I was 13.
At night, do a drive by in the neighborhoods and that blue light is constantly flashing on the walls. The majority of mainstream Americans are watching TV whenever they are at home! It is on in the background even if they are not watching it. Researchers say that if you eat dinner with your child at the dinner table, your child will be less likely to do drugs. Is this true if everyone is watching TV while eating dinner?
Media has consumed the interest of our youth at amazing amounts of speed. Is it good for our youth, for our nation? We know that it is good for all of the companies whom are profiting from it. As the article states, "Young people are often among the early adopters of new communication technologies." This is because youth are targeted by industry with content that appeals to mainstream wants.
"Media plays an important role in the socialization of our youth." True, but that should NOT be true! Life is too short to be mindlessly driven by media and the commercialization that comes hand in hand with it.
A quick personal story of interest: When I was traveling on the small island in Fiji, Vana Levu, I met a lot of native Fijians that were untouched by global media. This wasn't because they were on a remote island, because 30 miles down the road was a fully functioning town. I learned that the tribe's elders made a conscious choice not to allow media into the lives of their people. A wealthy resort had upgraded their generator, and therefore offered to donate their old generator to the tribe so that they would have electricity. On a basic level this means that the tribe of people would have hot water and light. However, the elders rejected the generator by saying if they allowed electricity to come into their tribe, their youth would loose their traditions and culture and no longer have the morals of the tribe, because they would be exposed to TV.
Amazing! What an omniscient prediction and so true!
And another short personal story: In Harare, Zimbabwe where I studied traditional Shona music and dance, very few young people their were interested in what I was doing. They thought I was strange to come to Zimbabwe to study traditional music & dance. Instead of learning the ancient instrument the Mbira, teenagers were learning the electric guitar. Interestingly enough, they were taking traditional melodies of the Mbira and putting them on the guitar. One of the strangest things I did while in a township or high-density area was I watched an episode of “The Golden Girls” and on another night I watched an episode of David Lynch’s “Twin Peaks.” What a trip to watch them watch these shows. By the way, they had 1 TV and no furniture.
Again as the article Generation M stated, Youth of America and other developed countries are being socialized through TV, whether it is PBS or MTV. My rhetorical question is: Where are the parents? I know where they are. But really, why have kids if you aren’t going to raise them?
On another note: Stay young, ride a bike! Enjoy the weather ~
I believe that every second a new MySpace user is born. All you have to do is hang out with some teenagers and they are obsessed! The addiction is really powerful. It reminds me of how I used to talk on the phone until dawn when I was 13.
At night, do a drive by in the neighborhoods and that blue light is constantly flashing on the walls. The majority of mainstream Americans are watching TV whenever they are at home! It is on in the background even if they are not watching it. Researchers say that if you eat dinner with your child at the dinner table, your child will be less likely to do drugs. Is this true if everyone is watching TV while eating dinner?
Media has consumed the interest of our youth at amazing amounts of speed. Is it good for our youth, for our nation? We know that it is good for all of the companies whom are profiting from it. As the article states, "Young people are often among the early adopters of new communication technologies." This is because youth are targeted by industry with content that appeals to mainstream wants.
"Media plays an important role in the socialization of our youth." True, but that should NOT be true! Life is too short to be mindlessly driven by media and the commercialization that comes hand in hand with it.
A quick personal story of interest: When I was traveling on the small island in Fiji, Vana Levu, I met a lot of native Fijians that were untouched by global media. This wasn't because they were on a remote island, because 30 miles down the road was a fully functioning town. I learned that the tribe's elders made a conscious choice not to allow media into the lives of their people. A wealthy resort had upgraded their generator, and therefore offered to donate their old generator to the tribe so that they would have electricity. On a basic level this means that the tribe of people would have hot water and light. However, the elders rejected the generator by saying if they allowed electricity to come into their tribe, their youth would loose their traditions and culture and no longer have the morals of the tribe, because they would be exposed to TV.
Amazing! What an omniscient prediction and so true!
And another short personal story: In Harare, Zimbabwe where I studied traditional Shona music and dance, very few young people their were interested in what I was doing. They thought I was strange to come to Zimbabwe to study traditional music & dance. Instead of learning the ancient instrument the Mbira, teenagers were learning the electric guitar. Interestingly enough, they were taking traditional melodies of the Mbira and putting them on the guitar. One of the strangest things I did while in a township or high-density area was I watched an episode of “The Golden Girls” and on another night I watched an episode of David Lynch’s “Twin Peaks.” What a trip to watch them watch these shows. By the way, they had 1 TV and no furniture.
Again as the article Generation M stated, Youth of America and other developed countries are being socialized through TV, whether it is PBS or MTV. My rhetorical question is: Where are the parents? I know where they are. But really, why have kids if you aren’t going to raise them?
On another note: Stay young, ride a bike! Enjoy the weather ~
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Thoughts on Blogging
From one lens, it seems that the typical blogger has more time on their hands than the typical citizen to read, write, create remixes of stories, video or artwork and IM. I wish I had the time to journal, be creative and instantly communicate with all of my friends. However, I have an extremely productive urge and a necessity to pay my bills. Do I sound bitter? I would be interested to see the economic status of the typical blogger. The Pew Internet & American Life Project gives statistics about the educational backgrounds of bloggers. Without reading their findings, I assumed that large portions of bloggers are supported by their parents having the money to purchase gadgets that support their habits, pay for bandwidth and enjoy their days?
I know a blogger quite well, let’s call her Lee. She rarely works and her parents economically support her at the age of 30. She hangs out in her brand new house that her relatives bought her, takes pictures of her children and then blogs about them frequently. Can you say luxury? She has all of the latest gadgets, computer(s) and is very hip to mainstream media & culture. Again, not to be overly bitter, but I feel that the privileged or the non-active are the ones who have time to blog. I partially agree with the statement that blogging is just another chapter in the narcissistic society of reality show wannabes. Everyone thinks they are on TV or wishes. Blogging and You Tube make it more accessible for everyone to get their face out there to the world and hope that they get their 10 seconds of fame. For instance, look at Chris Brockers’ YouTube success.
On another note, I agree that blogging has amazing potential for the people of the world to share and communicate typically censored political views. I have found this to be particularly essential in countries that are in the middle of war. Blogging is instant. In situations of life & death, to the moment is essential. However, The Pew Internet & American Life Project reports that only 11% of blogs are related to politics of the government. If I read a blog or visit You Tube, I am interested in finding out something that I can’t find out in mainstream media, because our media is so censored. For example: Earlier this week, Canada heard Sally Fields say “God Damn War!” at the Emmy Awards and Americans were censored by Fox? Not a surprising action from Fox, but what’s that all about? Americans aren’t allowed to say anything negative about the War? Do we have to go on-line to get the meat of a story? In a lot of cases, I would say yes. Americans are not allowed to see coffins but we are allowed to know the numbers? No visuals; What, are Americans not smart enough to translate numbers to bodies? Our government manipulates and lies to control our masses. Media complies so that they can keep their job. Everyone is scared of the FCC. What happened to freedom of speech? I guess it went to blog & learn how to use You Tube.
........................................
When cleaning your home, don't use store bought cleaners that contain toxic chemicals. All you need is some vinegar, which is cheap and non-toxic. Protect yourself.
I know a blogger quite well, let’s call her Lee. She rarely works and her parents economically support her at the age of 30. She hangs out in her brand new house that her relatives bought her, takes pictures of her children and then blogs about them frequently. Can you say luxury? She has all of the latest gadgets, computer(s) and is very hip to mainstream media & culture. Again, not to be overly bitter, but I feel that the privileged or the non-active are the ones who have time to blog. I partially agree with the statement that blogging is just another chapter in the narcissistic society of reality show wannabes. Everyone thinks they are on TV or wishes. Blogging and You Tube make it more accessible for everyone to get their face out there to the world and hope that they get their 10 seconds of fame. For instance, look at Chris Brockers’ YouTube success.
On another note, I agree that blogging has amazing potential for the people of the world to share and communicate typically censored political views. I have found this to be particularly essential in countries that are in the middle of war. Blogging is instant. In situations of life & death, to the moment is essential. However, The Pew Internet & American Life Project reports that only 11% of blogs are related to politics of the government. If I read a blog or visit You Tube, I am interested in finding out something that I can’t find out in mainstream media, because our media is so censored. For example: Earlier this week, Canada heard Sally Fields say “God Damn War!” at the Emmy Awards and Americans were censored by Fox? Not a surprising action from Fox, but what’s that all about? Americans aren’t allowed to say anything negative about the War? Do we have to go on-line to get the meat of a story? In a lot of cases, I would say yes. Americans are not allowed to see coffins but we are allowed to know the numbers? No visuals; What, are Americans not smart enough to translate numbers to bodies? Our government manipulates and lies to control our masses. Media complies so that they can keep their job. Everyone is scared of the FCC. What happened to freedom of speech? I guess it went to blog & learn how to use You Tube.
........................................
When cleaning your home, don't use store bought cleaners that contain toxic chemicals. All you need is some vinegar, which is cheap and non-toxic. Protect yourself.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
BRIDGE THE GAP! BRIDGE IT NOW! ::change::
There is a huge gap between the knowledge skills children acquire in school and the skills they need in typical 21st century communities and workplaces. There needs to be an integration of these two skills. I teach a class that helps educators learn strategies on how to integrate technology into their core subjects. However, what I have heard from all of the educators that I work with for many years is that there is no money for computers, no tech support or any time to actually devote to using computers. Not to mention that the majority of teachers are not tech savvy and have no time to acquire these skills needed to support their students learning.
As the The Milestones for Improving Learning & Education Guide stated: Along with the basic core subjects, children need to acquire learning skills that teach them how to learn: critical thinking, apply knowledge to new situations, analyze information, comprehend new ideas, communication, collaboration, problem solving & decision making skills. This Guide emphasizes that a new approach for educators would be to use modern tools of technology to teach & assess these learning skills. These modern tools can promote learning skills. When implementing these strategies in unison they are referred to as information and communication technology tools (ICT) and when combined with the teaching of core subjects you have a dynamically vibrant learning environment. In addition to all of those ideals and standards, educators need to help students develop integrity, self-esteem, social skills, self-management and learn to be honest and responsible citizens. That is a huge job and you can’t seriously think that one teacher or even a group of teachers on a measly teachers’ salary can be responsible for achieving all of these ideals. Especially when our education keeps getting the short end of the stick and our "War on Terror" budget is never ending.
One interesting thing about No Child Left Behind is that it requires students to be tech-literate by the end of 8th grade. Who is in charge of assessing if this particular standard is being achieved? Who is supporting this requirement with proper funding? It is interesting to underline that the founders of this country and the U.S. Constitution clearly stated that education is a priority and that our youth needs to be civic-minded citizens. What happened & what went wrong? Capitalism? Oil? War? Hollywood? We can’t simply blame it all on the Bush administration. It is the numerous amounts of greedy pigs that have ruined this country and our world. The empire will fall and education is the first to tumble and it has been tumbling for years. Of course, education suffers first, along with health care and the elderly. Who needs them? Not the upper class. They all have private education, private health care and private everything! This Partnership for 21st Century Skills Guide is inspiring, but nothing is truly going to be accomplished until the government steps up to the plate and supports what is most important, which is our country’s children. As the cheesy overly used line goes, “They are our future!” Don’t forget that during World War II, the military invested a lot of money into education by developing educational media to help instruct their soldiers. Imagine what our children could accomplish if our government invested in them now.
I think it is interesting to note whom some of the leading members are in the group Partnership for 21st Century Skills: Apple, Cisco, Dell & Microsoft. I am impressed that these leading companies invest in education and that they are helping to take responsibility for our children and our future. Why are not more companies doing something? Is it really their responsibility?
I hope that our next presidential leader can understand the dire need for education reform and can support the Milestones for Improving Learning & Education Guide and the educational needs of the 21st Century. If schools need to change dramatically then our government needs to change dramatically. Just imagine what our children would be like if we took all of the money that has been wasted in Iraq and waste it on education! BRIDGE THE GAP! BRIDGE IT NOW!
And don’t forget that when you shop at Rainbow Grocery Cooperative this month on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday you can save 20% off of your entire purchase by using the coupon, which is located in the back of your AT&T phone book! Rainbow Grocery Cooperative provides natural, organic, vegetarian food and environmentally and health conscious products at an affordable price. Rainbow Grocery Cooperative is an independent, collectively run, worker owned and operated cooperative at which decision making and responsibilities are shared through democratic structures and elected committees.
Check out Rainbow on the Web: http://www.rainbowgrocery.org/
~ Christina Noyes
As the The Milestones for Improving Learning & Education Guide stated: Along with the basic core subjects, children need to acquire learning skills that teach them how to learn: critical thinking, apply knowledge to new situations, analyze information, comprehend new ideas, communication, collaboration, problem solving & decision making skills. This Guide emphasizes that a new approach for educators would be to use modern tools of technology to teach & assess these learning skills. These modern tools can promote learning skills. When implementing these strategies in unison they are referred to as information and communication technology tools (ICT) and when combined with the teaching of core subjects you have a dynamically vibrant learning environment. In addition to all of those ideals and standards, educators need to help students develop integrity, self-esteem, social skills, self-management and learn to be honest and responsible citizens. That is a huge job and you can’t seriously think that one teacher or even a group of teachers on a measly teachers’ salary can be responsible for achieving all of these ideals. Especially when our education keeps getting the short end of the stick and our "War on Terror" budget is never ending.
One interesting thing about No Child Left Behind is that it requires students to be tech-literate by the end of 8th grade. Who is in charge of assessing if this particular standard is being achieved? Who is supporting this requirement with proper funding? It is interesting to underline that the founders of this country and the U.S. Constitution clearly stated that education is a priority and that our youth needs to be civic-minded citizens. What happened & what went wrong? Capitalism? Oil? War? Hollywood? We can’t simply blame it all on the Bush administration. It is the numerous amounts of greedy pigs that have ruined this country and our world. The empire will fall and education is the first to tumble and it has been tumbling for years. Of course, education suffers first, along with health care and the elderly. Who needs them? Not the upper class. They all have private education, private health care and private everything! This Partnership for 21st Century Skills Guide is inspiring, but nothing is truly going to be accomplished until the government steps up to the plate and supports what is most important, which is our country’s children. As the cheesy overly used line goes, “They are our future!” Don’t forget that during World War II, the military invested a lot of money into education by developing educational media to help instruct their soldiers. Imagine what our children could accomplish if our government invested in them now.
I think it is interesting to note whom some of the leading members are in the group Partnership for 21st Century Skills: Apple, Cisco, Dell & Microsoft. I am impressed that these leading companies invest in education and that they are helping to take responsibility for our children and our future. Why are not more companies doing something? Is it really their responsibility?
I hope that our next presidential leader can understand the dire need for education reform and can support the Milestones for Improving Learning & Education Guide and the educational needs of the 21st Century. If schools need to change dramatically then our government needs to change dramatically. Just imagine what our children would be like if we took all of the money that has been wasted in Iraq and waste it on education! BRIDGE THE GAP! BRIDGE IT NOW!
And don’t forget that when you shop at Rainbow Grocery Cooperative this month on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday you can save 20% off of your entire purchase by using the coupon, which is located in the back of your AT&T phone book! Rainbow Grocery Cooperative provides natural, organic, vegetarian food and environmentally and health conscious products at an affordable price. Rainbow Grocery Cooperative is an independent, collectively run, worker owned and operated cooperative at which decision making and responsibilities are shared through democratic structures and elected committees.
Check out Rainbow on the Web: http://www.rainbowgrocery.org/
~ Christina Noyes
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Web 2.0
This discussion is for the purpose of completing an assignment for the ITEC 830 class. The question I have been asked to discuss is "What is Web 2.0?"
Web 2.0 is whatever you desire it to be. In a nutshell: More users + interactivity features.
Social Butterfly anyone??? If so, Web 2.0 is your digital web of networking and collaborating with anyone & everyone. Try Xanga, MySpace, Bebo, Zoped, Facebook or LinkedIn. Try Mashable, which is a blog that focuses on social networking news. Go Figure!
Surfing the Web is no longer hours but seconds to get to exactly what you want when you by settin an elaborate personal profile to your taste and interest. Try the top of the mark, iGoogle. Google is an amazing machine in more ways then I have time to tell you. What you should know if you are a super geek is that Google is a form of an API {Application Programming Interface}, which is "a way to create mini applications that are designed to fetch and display info from online sources." The Google Search can be used from many different places, the Safari or Firefox toolbar, your own Website and other people's Websites.
Then there is the truly awe inspiring video chat, the Internet telephony. VoIP (voice over IP) is making waves. However, stay away from Vonage. It is an evil company with NO customer service! Got WiFi? Got problems! If you want the low-down, just ask and I can rant for hours. You can't use it when there is a power outage or even an Internet outage. I would stick with the good ol'trustworthy telephone lines. If you want some fun, I suggest Skype. It is free!
Telecommuting has never been better. Businesses are using Web 2.0 daily to set up online virtual offices where employees collaborate, disseminate information and group scheduling. It is not ooh awe Web 2.0, but YahooGroups works well for masses of people in a group to communicate and it is FREE! Google Docs & Spreadsheets offer collaborative workspaces where people around the world can work together in real time and cross platform! OOH LALA! However, I am a little weary of actually sharing my documents with Google. What happens when the empire turns evil or when a citizen of the empire sells info to the government? Be careful what you share! No firewall is big enough and no company is entirely good. Do you all know the #1 rule at Google? "Do no evil!
Yes, you can share all of your photos with everyone via Web 2.0 sites. There are many services, but I personally like Shutterfly. They have good prices and products when you want to make a present like a book. And it is a quick turn around service! In addition, you can create slideshows and other ooh la things. I am thinking about checking out Google’s Picasa. Does anyone have any good feedback on using this?
Of course I am saving the best for last… TV on your PC!! WOO-HOO! Why do you ever need to disconnect? Maybe to go to the bathroom or eat? On-line video, YouTube, U-name it! Miss a show? A lot of major networks offer free rebroadcast on-line. Life is good. If it is not free, then iTunes is always decently priced. Thank you Mr. Jobs! It is only going to get better. Look out for the Intuitive Web 3.0 {Artificial Intelligence} coming soon!
On an educational note:
I am very impressed with the access to on-line applications. Educators have very little money to spend on supplies and usually nothing to spend on expensive, but cool Adobe software. Web 2.0 is helping bridge the digital divide between schools located in the wealthy neighborhoods and with the inner city schools. All students deserve to learn cutting edge technology and Web 2.0 is allowing everyone to jump in and play. Now all they need is a computer lab with high speed Internet! Oh Mr. Gates…
As with everything, balance is key. Make sure you go out and smell the fresh sea air and get some exercise, go out to dinner with friends and enjoy your family. Web 2.0 nor the computer is everything.
Balance young grasshopper! Balance! And don’t forget to eat Organic and support local farmers!
Web 2.0 is whatever you desire it to be. In a nutshell: More users + interactivity features.
Social Butterfly anyone??? If so, Web 2.0 is your digital web of networking and collaborating with anyone & everyone. Try Xanga, MySpace, Bebo, Zoped, Facebook or LinkedIn. Try Mashable, which is a blog that focuses on social networking news. Go Figure!
Surfing the Web is no longer hours but seconds to get to exactly what you want when you by settin an elaborate personal profile to your taste and interest. Try the top of the mark, iGoogle. Google is an amazing machine in more ways then I have time to tell you. What you should know if you are a super geek is that Google is a form of an API {Application Programming Interface}, which is "a way to create mini applications that are designed to fetch and display info from online sources." The Google Search can be used from many different places, the Safari or Firefox toolbar, your own Website and other people's Websites.
Then there is the truly awe inspiring video chat, the Internet telephony. VoIP (voice over IP) is making waves. However, stay away from Vonage. It is an evil company with NO customer service! Got WiFi? Got problems! If you want the low-down, just ask and I can rant for hours. You can't use it when there is a power outage or even an Internet outage. I would stick with the good ol'trustworthy telephone lines. If you want some fun, I suggest Skype. It is free!
Telecommuting has never been better. Businesses are using Web 2.0 daily to set up online virtual offices where employees collaborate, disseminate information and group scheduling. It is not ooh awe Web 2.0, but YahooGroups works well for masses of people in a group to communicate and it is FREE! Google Docs & Spreadsheets offer collaborative workspaces where people around the world can work together in real time and cross platform! OOH LALA! However, I am a little weary of actually sharing my documents with Google. What happens when the empire turns evil or when a citizen of the empire sells info to the government? Be careful what you share! No firewall is big enough and no company is entirely good. Do you all know the #1 rule at Google? "Do no evil!
Yes, you can share all of your photos with everyone via Web 2.0 sites. There are many services, but I personally like Shutterfly. They have good prices and products when you want to make a present like a book. And it is a quick turn around service! In addition, you can create slideshows and other ooh la things. I am thinking about checking out Google’s Picasa. Does anyone have any good feedback on using this?
Of course I am saving the best for last… TV on your PC!! WOO-HOO! Why do you ever need to disconnect? Maybe to go to the bathroom or eat? On-line video, YouTube, U-name it! Miss a show? A lot of major networks offer free rebroadcast on-line. Life is good. If it is not free, then iTunes is always decently priced. Thank you Mr. Jobs! It is only going to get better. Look out for the Intuitive Web 3.0 {Artificial Intelligence} coming soon!
On an educational note:
I am very impressed with the access to on-line applications. Educators have very little money to spend on supplies and usually nothing to spend on expensive, but cool Adobe software. Web 2.0 is helping bridge the digital divide between schools located in the wealthy neighborhoods and with the inner city schools. All students deserve to learn cutting edge technology and Web 2.0 is allowing everyone to jump in and play. Now all they need is a computer lab with high speed Internet! Oh Mr. Gates…
As with everything, balance is key. Make sure you go out and smell the fresh sea air and get some exercise, go out to dinner with friends and enjoy your family. Web 2.0 nor the computer is everything.
Balance young grasshopper! Balance! And don’t forget to eat Organic and support local farmers!
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