Gina Heckel Mod 9
I am going
to start with the last two articles first.
These articles addressed how the LGBT and minority groups are now using
the internet (via blogging and podcasts) to find their voice or make their
voice heard. King addresses how with no real
restrictions on podcasts the LGBT community podcasters can address the real
issues of what LGBT means and address any problems within that community. But this article was written in 2008 and in
my opinion I do not believe the LGBT community is in “hiding” or shunned as
they may have been in the past. (Again,
this is my opinion.) With regards to
podcasting and adult learning, King states that adult learning is in the form
of language learning. I find it
fascinating that this tool was not considered earlier after all, hearing the
language and how it works is a great teaching tool. To be able to hear a conversation taking
place is much better than learning vocabulary and hoping to use it
correctly.
I read
Wright’s article all the way through and yes the read was difficult but I think
the jest of her research is how minority women (namely Black Women) need to
find a space and voice of their own.
Wright argues while there are sites that are useful in representing
Blacks they are not representative of Black Women and what their concerns are
within society today. I am not sure how
to fix this issue but the read was interesting.
The “Laptop”
videos were interesting and I love that there are groups trying to help under
privileged nations educate their children.
A few questions I had as watching the videos were how do you connect
really remote areas. Quite a few
countries have very rough and varied terrains, how do you connect in those
areas. And do the children succeed after
receiving these laptops? I would have
concern in if the “adults” teaching the children know how to use the laptops
effectively and make the laptops a learning tool. I believe if you are going to give the
laptops to kids you have to make sure the adults teaching them are properly
trained to use as a teaching tool.
The
Hargittai and Walejko article was a discussion on how men and women share
creations, data, music, etc. on the internet.
This was interesting to me because just recently in the news there was
discussion on how women and men differ when posting on social media. Women, when they do post, post in more
gentle, well received language where men often post with harsh language
(cussing words). Similar to what
Hargittai and Walejko found in their research-women post more thoughtful works
when they post. There was a paragraph in
the article that stated through participation and creation in digital media
will enhance the participants “people skills”.
I DISAGREE! I think because we
are becoming buried in our devices and using less and less verbal skills and
common pleasantries. If we want to be
able to relate to people we have to actually spend time and INTERACT with
people. Another result of Hargittai and
Walejko’s research was that socioeconomics is the main factor in who shares
their creative works. This makes sense,
people with money can put more time, energy and money into their works and want
to share because of what they have produced.
I have to say, I have never really thought about the research questions
posed; interesting research.
Finally,
the Digital Divide 2.0 article is mostly about how these digital tools are
becoming more and more part of student’s and TEACHER’S rapport. And if as teachers we are not familiar with
them we better learn quick. Students
these days have more digital tools available to them with just the cell phone they
carry in their hands. If educators don’t
take advantage of these tools, they are losing an opportunity to hook our
students’ interest. I found the article
interesting and hope that all those in education will find ways to link
students learning and internet use.
