Discussion Response Blogture and Prompt
EDUC 7718 Fall 2014
By: Cari McKee
Digital identity can be
a grey area. As stated by my professor, “templates, avatars, heroes, and
stereotypes: we have met and made them, but are they us?” I believe there
are many different answers to this question. I believe all these things
contain a piece of who we are but not as a whole. For example, through
this reflection you see my work, thoughts and ideas but not what makes me think
the way I do about certain topics. I also believe this is why so many
people are intrigued by the internet and the digital world. We can create
and change who we are simply by a picture or more advance as a statement.
As Turkle says, “when
someone sends you a text or IM, you don’t know how they are feeling” (Turkle,
pg.272). One can say a simple message but it can be misconstrued into
other meanings. Turkle also states, “You can try to get Facebook to
change things. Maybe after a year they will. Maybe they won’t. This is just the
way it is. As long as Facebook and Google are seen as necessities, if they
demand information, young people know they will supply it” (Turkle, pg 295).
Like most advertisements and politics, the digital world is based heavily
on supply and demand. The popular items will be first and the less
popular will be towards the back when it comes to searches. Much like our
abilities with our digital identity, the internet can constantly change the
face to meet the needs of their viewers.
- As you have explored and worked
with content creation tools what assumptions and biases have you noticed?
What is built into the templates? The clip art menus?
The images given on the first page of your image search?
Are the online tutorials beginner user friendly or do
they assume that all audience members know what is meant by click and
drag, menu bar, open, privacy settings, post, etc. etc.
Can you make a list of words that have specialized
meanings in the world of now, that they would not have had 30 years ago?
How does command of this vocabulary privilege some and cause
others not to belong?
As I began developing
items online I thought more about what others would view me as then I thought I
would. For example, I was creating a popcorn explanation of myself.
Should I include I am athletic? Should I say I am a teacher? Will
others find me credible when I say I teach physical education or will I just be
a Gym teacher? Looking at the templates to use even in my creation of my
digital learning hub as well as my blog. How will I be viewed and does it
matter? We write, create and think so others can respond and make
inferences. Even when looking at pictures and images on a simple search
can lead people in a different direction. Something as simple as a Google
search is based on the money paid not the credibility of the company. Images
can be changed warped into our thoughts and feelings. For example, when
you type up gymnastics under image you see beautiful, skinny, athletic girls.
You unfortunately look and see almost all of the girls in the beginning
part of the search are Caucasian. What message does this portray?
What does this show our youth interested in taking part in the sport? Is
this where stereotypes start or just enhanced? Technology has been a big
part of what our world has become. Even a new language has been developed.
Navigation means to
“travel” around the digital world and not driving anymore. Here is a ted talk discussing the meanings of words
and how they have changed. The word “hangout” is at home over a device
and not at a friend’s house. I believe, soon hangouts can replace snow
days. Rather than sitting in class you will have a hangout with the class
when the weather is intolerable. But then one must say to himself, will
all students learn? The assumption is all children know how to navigate an iPhone
at the very least no matter their age. But do all children know how to
navigate? Click and drag are terms we assume everyone knows how to do.
Not that long ago I had to teach my colleagues how to use their Samsung
tablet in the classroom. I walked into the room completely unaware of the
lack of technological knowledge I assumed everyone knew how to at least
navigate around the tablet. Unfortunately, I was very wrong. First
lesson...how to turn on my tablet, second lesson....setting up the time and date.
The same thing happens with some of our students. Whether it is a
lack of money, knowledge, or an “old school” set of parenting, not all children
are aware of the language and basics when it comes to technology.
2.
Do
you agree that schools ought to prepare learners to succeed in the world as it
is even if that may not be the world as it should be? Should
all students be prepared to use the standard dialect, wear the standard
clothes, and adopt the standard behavior patterns when interviewing for jobs--
(even baby or house-sitting,) crafting the admissions essay, or interacting
socially with the community? How important is fluency in the
normative, even if that means learning a foreign language and a wearing a mask?
What are the implications of your stance on this issue?
I believe schools should
prepare our learning to succeed in the world today with aspirations of how it
can be changed for the better. The world today teaches us there are
certain values and beliefs we all must live by. Dressing appropriate for
interviews and acting a certain way during an interview. I believe first
impressions make marks on those we meet either for the good or the bad.
For example, a student of mine cut my class on the first day. My
assumption from then on was education to him was not as important as it was
portrayed to myself. But was it? Maybe something happened, was he
in the office or was my thoughts an appropriate reaction to him skipping class?
Turns out my assumption was right about the student. He was
skipping class and therefore portraying the message education was not as
important to him as me. But is this true
for all students? No; however, the way we act and present ourselves will
bring on certain assumptions.
My daughter is about
eight years old. Not only am I protective over her like most parents are
with their children, I would be very picky with choose a babysitter for her.
As a mother, they must be professional but also good with a child. If
a person walked into an interview using slang words as well as other words
incapable of being translated into Standard English I might second guess this
person for watching my child. I believe this may be a little bias but it
is also the way I grew up. If I walked into my interview in sweatpants
and a t-shirt back in June 2007 I do not think I would have gotten the job I
did now. Dressing and acting a certain way shows respect not only for yourself
but also for the others you are in the presence of.
Looks and actions speak
a thousand words. Just recently we went through an election. Tom
Foley and Dan Malloy had to be intelligent in their speeches but also needed to
dress appropriately. By doing so they present a put together image of who
can represent our state. Unfortunately, by presenting an image one must
present what they feel the viewers want to see. No one wants to see a
president, administrator and CEO not clean shaven. So why then put on an
image if it may not represent the true person? I believe the answer is
through stereotypes, prejudices and assumptions. Without them a person
would have more leeway in situations to be “who they are” and not worry about
how they present themselves.
In the book Social
Linguistics and Literacies there is an interview comparison with Mindy and
Leona. The response of the teacher in the interview with Mindy stated
they were able to, “coordinate their interaction in a smooth and flowing way so
that Mindy, the apprentice, is scaffold and supported by the teachers greater
expertise” (pg. 147). Story development is a key skill necessary to
succeed in school. It is our job as teachers to not only to teach it but
also enhance this necessary skill.
3.
Race,
class, gender stereotypes. Pick one political ad with which you are currently
being bombarded, and analyze its message and intended audience.
What stereotypes, prejudices, appeals, fears, alliances, etc., etc.
do you see? Please be sure that your response demonstrates that you
have read the “first black president” article OR viewed some of the “Being
Black” forum
There have been many
political advertisements in the media recently thanks to the recent election.
In the video of the “First Black President”, President Obama was asked the question
whether or not Bill Clinton was the first black president. Instead of
taking this uncomfortable question in a direction I believe the interviewer
hoped, Obama spearheaded it with positivity. He talked about Bill’s ability
to connect to the black community. At the end of his statement he did
through in some stereotypes such as if Bill can dance indicating all African
America are capable of being good dancer. He also referenced to a black
person as a brother.
Unfortunately, not all
people of a different race feel as open and optimistic as President Obama.
For example, in the article from the New Yorker an African American
person stated, “No matter how smart you are, how hard you work, how much coin
you earn for us, we will put you in your place or put you out of the place you
have somehow, albeit with our permission, achieved. In short, unless you do as
we say, your expletives belong to us.” I believe, especially for people
of a different race, have even more hardships to cross then those who are of Caucasian
descent.
For example, there was
an article about a woman who was 90 years old. During
president Obama's Election, she decided to vote for the first time ever.
Was it because she wanted to feel a part of the election? Did she
not want a black president? Ideas, morals, values and beliefs are hard to
change. The can change over time; however, it takes the experience and
leadership of one to make change happen. Twenty years back beliefs about
race were very different then they are now. In my eyes, I still believe
stereotypes exist but unfortunately are sometimes embracing poor behaviors.
For example, students in my school say people of Hispanic descent are
loud. During class a student (of Hispanic descent) was speaking during a
test. She was asked to stop talking a couple times before I heard
something I didn't think I would hear from this student. She looked at me
and said, “I am Hispanic, I can’t help but be loud. It is how we talk”.
So without her own thoughts or opinions of how to act during a test she
used a stereotype as a scapegoat. Are we as a society teaching this?
Just recently our
state’s elections took place. Throughout the campaign there were many
different strategies and avenues each candidate took. For example, there
are commercial with a positive message. I believe the commercial is intended to
reach those who are struggling. Although positive, the campaign reflects
on the struggles of Connecticut and promises a change for the better.
Then there are campaigns who attack the other candidate. This message is intended to
bring out the flaws in the opponent. There are no promises for a better
future just a statement the new candidate will be better than the “other guy”.
In conclusion, I choose
to write an essay as my response with multiple hyperlinks. I believe it
was the best way to portray my point of view without leaving any of the meat
out. I started to make a slideshow to use a different medium but felt as
though it did not emphasis my points as well as a paper. As we discussed
in the paper, we act and do as we think we should act and do. An essay
format only seemed appropriate for a response to such a tough subject.
Citations:
First Time Voting At 90
Years Old In Texas Cecilia O’Meara. (n.d.). Retrieved November 7, 2014.
Gee, James. (2012).
Social Linguistics and Literacies. London and New York:
Routledge;
third edition.
Turkle, Sherry (2011).
Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each
Other. New York: Basic Books.
