Mod 9 Post

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.