Chapter 9 - Chelsea

What are kids learning from technology?

With the emerging of new technologies, parents and teachers should notice how children learn outside of school and the home. They need to recognize how much can be learned from the emerging technologies. The technology literacy gap begins at home.  Parents do not understand how their children are using the internet, TV, and video games. Most parents claim that video games seem violent and may corrupt their children. Parents also add that while playing the games, children are missing out on physical exercise. What the parents do not see is the problem solving skills and communication skills their children are developing because it is beyond the experience of many parents. Parents should also want to get involved. They should pick up a controller and let the child explain how to play, the moral behind the game, and show strategies of how to beat the game.

Chapter 9 also encourages parents to let their children sign up to online communities. The communities would consist of other children with similar interests to theirs. Research skills and an extended pursuit of their interests can come from these communities which may benefit them in the future. They would be able to share their passions with like-minded children which would encourage them to learn about their passion much more deeply than they can on their own. The online communities allow children to see a variety children other than children in their same neighborhood or town. The chapter discusses an online community called MUVE which allows children to construct places using text descriptions and drawing programs. I like the idea of MUVE, but as long as there is parental supervision. I am not a fan of letting younger children use the internet. I myself was not allowed until I was much older. The internet has just become a dangerous place. But MUVE is beneficial regardless of my thoughts about it.

How has technology changed kids’ social lives and learning?

The convergence of peer and popular culture through technologies is the largest threat on schools and parents. Entertainment technology influenced the development of pop culture which made adolescents embrace these new technologies and reinforce peer cultures. Television has allowed for viewers to create blogs about what happened during a show or movie and the peers can discuss it. Video games allow players to solve complex problems and strategize. Blogging is definitely beneficial in the entertainment industry.