Week 2 Article Responses

This week's reading was quite interesting because it enabled me to realize the impact that technology has had on the youngest population. The first article that I read, Children Online: Learning in a virtual communtiy of practice by Angela Thomas, was discussing how important it is for students to have opportunities to learn from and with each other rather than from an 'expert'. As Thomas mentioned in his article, "a social theory of learning, then, is connected with learning and knowing within social particiapatory experiences". 1 Within the article, the author discusses how the students didn't even think about what they sere doing was learning but rather just a fun experience. The students took the iniative to gain insight into what they were doing on their own. Nobody hovered over them to say how to do this task, rather it was done for their own fun and enjoyment as well as the learning (secondary reward to them). The first thought that came to my mind with regards to this was my student teaching experience. Students sat at desks and the teacher 'taught'. Needless to say I learned from that experience what I did not want my classroom to be like. I then thought about how this model fits into my classroom in the way that I, the 'expert' instills ideas and then with guidance allows students to experience learning through interaction with each other. Everyday in my classroom, I feel that students do not only learn from me, through the modeling of skills and strategies, but through work with one another. I feel that students at a younger age, as are in my class, do need that 'expert' to teach them how and why. It is also our job to allow students to then take this 'how and why' and try to internalize it for themselves. Curriculum in our schools relate to both of the thetheories discussed, Wenger's and Vygotskian. First, we as teachers, need to tap students prior knowledge of what we are going to work on and then actually discuss and show examples related to these tasks. Then, after students have a grasp of the material, we can allow students to explore and see what they can do with it. Students may get it wrong but that's ok. That is part of the learning process and sometimes is the most important because it allows the student to try to problem solve what he/she did wrong. Maybe they can figure it out on their own or maybe they can work together to problem solve. As a teacher, it is your call of when to step in. Sometimes, educators feel the need to have it 'their way'. Some problems don't have just one answer. In terms of literacy, enabling students to think of their own characters and to create their own story is not only empowering to them but to you because you are able to see that spark ignite in them. Thier confidence blossoms along the way as they are able to see that they can do it. Students who are struggling may need more guidance, but that to is fine. When that day comes when they make the smallest stride on their own and they feel a sense of accomplishment, that is a great reward. The students discussed in this study allowed themselves to experience this endeavor and when they needed someone's guidance they got it.

The second article that I read, What Next? Toddler Netizens, Playstation Thumb, Techno-literacies written by Carmen Luke, discussed (1)how much is out there for children , parents and educators to utilize as well as process both (2) how the marketing of technological material to families is a big business but the learning aspects of the material can be misleading because of all of the choices (3) how technology throughout the years have been looked at as being downfalls because of the effects they would have on the poulation at the time as well as in the future (4) the article detailed the differences in access to techonology and how schools have an impact on bridging this gap. I do agree with the author that there is so much out there that it gets confusing as to what is good material to use within the classroom and/or at home for parents to use with their children. Children want to get their favorite characters game or get what their friends have but these may not be the best choice. With regards to access of technology, it is important for schools to provide the opportunity for everyone to get experience with technology. Technology seems to improve each day and there is always a new 'toy' to use, whether it's a digital camera or new program. For those who can afford it and can learn how to use it will be more prepared for further technology in the years to come. For those who got into using technology later (myself for example) it always feels like a catch-up game. I get an idea how to use one new piece of tecnology and here's a new one to replace it.

The third and final article, the study done by Rideout, Vandwater and Wartella titled ZERO to SiIX Electronic Media in the Lives of Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers, looked at how and what forms of technology impacts the lives of youngsters in this age group. The key issue at hand in this article is as technology is utilized more what other activites get used less and what is the impact of this. The results were intersting and also somewhat expected because we as adults are exposed to so much so we can expect children to be too. The article noted that "the academy of pediatrics recommended that children under two not watch any tv and that all children over two be limited to one to two hours of educational screen media a day". 2 WOW! How often has this recommendation been broken? What do they consider educational? After talking to my friend about this who has two small children, she had followed this guideline the best she could but after the second child came ... in went the Barney videos. With parents having so much to do in so little time it is understandable that the television is used to keep children occupied. It was good that the data showed someone around when the television was on but in many cases as the children get older, this may not be the case. The blockers that parents can now put on their television viewing is quite comforting though. Different types of media do have an impact on students and they don't even know what it means. An example was my niece who is 9 who said "this is my favorite song" and was singing all of the lyrics to Permiscuos Girl. As educators, we can utilize different mediums as writing ideas (favorite tv character) or write about our experiences using a computer or watching a movie (give a review of why you liked or didn't like it and why). I feel that as technology continues to advance, students will spend more time with it but will also continue to have their playdates and soccer team practices. Childhood has changed but it also did as we were growing up just not as quickly. Our generation is also having fun with the new toys out there; we just need to learn how to use them.

References
Rideout, V., Vandewater, E. and Wartella, E. (2005) ZERO to SIX Electronic Media in the Lives of Toddlers and Preschoolers, p13
Thomas, A. (2005) Children Online: Learning in a Virtual Community of Practice, p 28