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/