Week 15: Meta-Cognitive Report

Over the course of 15 weeks we have briefly but intensely explored and discussed the areas of literacies across mediums. Many of us have been introduced to new mediums and we have grown to understand the range of perspectives across literacies and how literacies transcend beyond just words on pages.

I thoroughly enjoyed having the opportunity to dive deeper into the area of literacy itself. I really like the pecha kucha style presenting; I even chose to use it as a final option for another course. Images are able to communicate, teach, and inspire us in a way that words alone may fall short.  This class has also made me appreciate how technology influences and contributes to learning and the effect that it has on students. I’m realistic that I alone cannot change the system but more importantly I’m aware that my role as a teacher has a significant effect on the quality of education that each of my students receives. I have to understand the ways that my students learn and continuously stay educated on the constant changing aspects of what is defined as literacy and its components. With literacy being my concentration, I feel that it is especially important to understand and be proficient in every aspect of literacy and acknowledge and appreciate the different perspectives of literacies.

Week 14: Information Literacy Guide: Elementary (Grades PreK-2)

Information Literacy Guide: Elementary (Grades PreK-2)

I used the Big6 and Super3 as a guide to help focus and create this guide which is geared towards younger elementary students and can be applied to any task. I used a traffic light method to help make sense of the different steps needed to complete the task. 

References

Berkowitz, B., & Eisenberg, M. (n.d.). The Big6 Skills. The Big6. Retrieved December 15, 2013, from http://big6.com/media/freestuff/Big6Handouts.pdf

Week 11: Adolescent Interview

I interviewed my 12 year old nephew, who is in the 7^th grade, at a public suburban school in Greece, NY.

His main interaction with technology is through his iPhone (which he has had since 5^th grade) and the family computer at home. He uses his phone a lot more than the computer, I’m assuming because it’s easily accessible; it’s always in his back pocket. I found it interesting that he preferred to call and text certain people (call parents; text friends) even though he really wasn't sure why. I was also shocked that he had not personally experienced or knew of anyone else that experienced any type of cyber bullying. Although I don’t completely believe this is true, I think he possibly wouldn't want to share that information with me because he doesn't necessarily know where I stand as far as what I will share with his mother.

I also thought it was interesting that his parents did not have the login information to his Instagram account and that they don’t even follow him or look at it. As a parent, I would certainly discuss privacy and responsibility but I would definitely be following the site and periodically checking in to hold him accountable. I can understand if he uses the site socially with friends and I would probably make an arrangement that I wouldn't post anything because I don’t want to embarrass him but I need to be able to see what’s going on. 

In addition, I was not surprised in regards to his feelings about technology at his school. Like most schools, he is not allowed to use the computers without specific guided instruction and no social media is allowed. He also said he would like to use more technology in his school than just when they have a specific assignment that requires it.

I think it would certainly be beneficial for schools, especially middle and high schools, to conduct similar interviews to at least find out where their students are in regards to their relationships with technology. I also think that schools are going to need to become more knowledgeable in the area of technology and become more adept at providing authentic learning opportunities that involve different types of technology. 

Week 10: Growing Up Digital

The common theme across many of the readings and videos this week is the impact of technology, particularly on young people and how we are not necessarily using it to our fullest advantage. Technology is such a major influence on young people’s lives and often times having negative effects but it does have the potential, like most things with balance and appreciation to be beneficial.

Jane McGonigal’s talk about games and their influence was very interesting. It certainly portrayed games in a different view than I had previously considered. She addressed the many skills and attributes that young people learn from playing games, specifically online games, like optimism, productivity, and the ability to successfully collaborate. Unfortunately, most of these skills are usually only expressed while playing games and not transferred to real world situations. She posed the idea of creating more real world games where young people can practice and build on the skills learned and potentially actually use in their everyday lives.

Sherry Turkle’s audio clip on her book “Alone Together” was very intriguing. She raised many valid points about the way that people are completely consumed by technology, particularly their phones with texting, emails, and social networks. Her discussion on how young people feel estranged and neglected by their parents because of their attachments to their devices was interesting. She also mentioned that young people are losing the skill of conversation because they are choosing to text.

In the end, I was inspired to be more reflective on my own personal relationship with technology and how I can improve. Making sure that I remind myself about what has to be checked or viewed especially while spending time with people that are important to me. I think it’s also necessary as parents to make sure that we help our children to understand the power and importance of face to face conversations and also to remember to have a balanced relationship with technology. Too much of anything is not a good thing. I think it’s also critical that young people become more aware of the lasting effects of their digital footprints and to be more cautious of the things they send out into the digital world.

Works Cited:

McGonigal, J. (2010, February). Gaming can make a better world. Video retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/jane_mcgonigal_gaming_can_make_a_better_world.html

Turkle, S. (2012, October 17). In constant digital contact we feel alone. Audio retrieved from http://www.npr.org/2012/10/18/163098594/in-constant-digital-contact-we-feel-alone-together

Week 9: Chanel Print Ad Deconstruction

Chanel Chance Perfume Ad
Chanel brand perfume is the product being sold.

The ad is feminine, whimsical, dreamy, romantic, and enchanting.

The ad has one model that is a Caucasian, young (20 something), girl, completely naked except for strands of pink and white flowers wrapped around her body. Her eyes and mouth are closed and she is sort of smiling. Her makeup is very romantic and soft – with hues of pink. Her hair is pulled back in what is probably a bun – you can’t see it. She also has a pink gift bow on the top of her head. She is sitting on her knees, hugging a very large, oversized bottle of perfume. The bottle of perfume has a square, frosty white cap with a round, clear base so that you can see the perfume liquid inside which is a very pale pink. The perfume bottle is much bigger than the model and it is strategically placed on her lap in a way that hides her private parts and her breasts.

One of the assumptions the ad makes is that to be beautiful and courageous enough to take control of opportunity you should wear Chanel perfume. It also makes the assumption that to be beautiful you need to look similar to the model in the ad and don’t be afraid to show some skin. Chanel makes the assumption that Caucasian is beautiful and romantic and able to take advantage of an opportunity when it presents itself. I think all of the assumptions are unrealistic. Beauty comes in many shapes, sizes and colors and one is not required to wear certain perfumes to be beautiful. I also think that young girls should especially understand that showing skin is not necessary to show your beauty. They reinforce stereotypes about what beauty is and should be which are all false.

For a company to be socially responsible they should be aware of the current issues that are affecting consumers and make efforts to not negatively contribute to those issues. I think because I looked up additional Chanel perfume ads and couldn’t find any with models of other races; Chanel uses ethnic models for their company but I looked up their perfume ads and was not able to find any with a model that was not Caucasian. I certainly feel that Chanel is not a socially responsible company. It’s bad enough that the company is continuing to send the idea that only certain body shapes are beautiful but I am very concerned and disappointed by the fact that there are no ads with women of other races.

To think of oneself primarily as a citizen and not as a consumer is to know that we don’t need certain products to survive or thrive. It’s necessary to not always think like a consumer to know that we are still competent, successful, and beautiful people without purchasing a specific product. I think it it’s possible to be a citizen and a consumer but it will take much effort. By placing a nude model in an ad it is almost impossible to not criticize ones’ own body and in turn negatively affects the consumer’s body image. It is important to still say “I’m beautiful even though I’m not that size, shape, or color” and accept ones realistic body image. 

Week 8: Media Education - Marshal McLuhan

The Marshal McLuhan videos really interested me because they were in the 60’s, more than 50 years ago and they seemed to bring up issues that we are still currently struggling to address.

I thought it was intriguing during the introduction by Tom Wolfe, that Marshal McLuhan noted the apparent distinction between parents and children. He discussed that the generational gap was a result of “the disparity between a print bred generation and its audio tactical neotribal offspring”. His language used was how he referred to television and its effects; he said that “television is not a visual medium but audio tactical”. McLuhan recognized the influence of television on the youth at the time which seems to almost parallel the impact the internet and new technologies have on the youth of today.

McLuhan also noted the need for change in schools as a result of the technology and its impact on students and education. McLuhan said that the “new generation was bound to sit baffled and bored in classrooms run by print bred teachers. The educations system must be totally changed”.  I question how much change has actually taken place. I wonder how many students still “sit baffled and bored in classrooms” because teachers are not adequately prepared to teach using new technologies themselves, let alone about new technologies.

I think it is definitely up to school to teach critical media literacy but teachers need to be taught first. Teachers have to be willing to move outside their comfort zone and effectively reach students. I think if students are engaged in certain stimuli why not use those methods to our advantage but also guide students to use new technologies more effectively and critically.

Works Cited:

Marshal mcluhan speaks [Introduction by tom wolfe]. Retrieved from http://marshallmcluhanspeaks.com/introduction/

Week 6: Social Media Effects - "Digital Footprints"

One of the themes discussed this week was the capabilities and the effects that the internet has on democracy. In the video, “Digital Youth, Social Movements and Democracy Brazil” by Raquel Recuero, the issues and impacts that social networking sites specifically have on youth, was very informative. Recuero discussed the different ways that social networking sites have contributed to the youth of Brazil. “Social network sites are allowing people to connect, share information, exchange ideas and create social movements”. The idea and manner in which social networking sites can improve communication and activism in Brazil, is not much different from the associations that American youth also have with social networking sites. Before watching the video, I have always felt that Facebook is not the place to share political or other controversial feelings. I understand that those feeling are because of how I interpret Facebook and the role that it plays in my life. For a lot of people, it is an outlet – they feel freer to speak their minds regarding any issue. I definitely think in some ways Facebook could certainly be used as a way to make change politically or at least have your voice heard when it might have otherwise been ignored, when used effectively. 

Although youth have the opportunity to use these types of sites to have a positive impact on their community, there have been issues of negativity becoming more prominent. Recuero explained that, “social media has become the vehicle for all types of discursive violence”. She stressed that this type of language has been basically ignored because it has been masked as humor. I think she definitely put a different perspective on the fact that many of us find things that are funny or offensive, but assume that because our intentions are not out of malice it is okay. I think we all need to be more cautious and aware of the things we put out, especially into the digital world because they are permanent and can never be erased.

Recuero also made a valid point in saying that, “There is potential for good in online social networks…and social media isn't creating the problem, its exposing the problem”. We can’t blame everything on social media. There have always been prejudices, bullying, and people saying and doing disrespectful things. Social media has just become another outlet for those negative and inappropriate behaviors to be expressed. The unfortunate aspect is that this outlet allows that type of information to be immediately widespread; it is not just telling one person – it is telling millions or an entire group at once. We are already aware that because of the negative issues that have become common within social media interaction and communication, most schools have completely eliminated it altogether, instead of addressing the issues and presenting ways to use social media properly and still have access. “There is a need for intervention to guide youth in terms of their digital footprints”. We have to make an effort to teach and explain the impacts, whether positive or negative, that the internet can have and also how to go about using it appropriately and effectively.