Participatory Culture

            In the U.S. teens are involved in what is called participatory culture. "A participatory culture is a culture with relatively low barriers to artistic expression and civic engagement, strong support for creating and sharing ones creations, and some type of informal mentorship whereby what is known by the most experienced is passed along to novices," (Lendhardt & Madden, 2005). The article, Confronting the Challenges of Participatory Culture: Media Education for the 21st Century by Henry Jenkins, Katie Clinton, Ravi, Prushotma, Alice J. Robinson, and Margaret Wiegel, addresses the issues of participatory culture and media education in the United States.

 

            Teens are creating their own websites, blogs, pod casts, and videos and sharing them on the internet. Some teens have even started their own companies using the internet. Blake Ross was a 14 year old boy who helped create his own web browser named Fire fox, with the help of other adults and youth. The problem with media technology is that not everyone has equal access to the internet. Children who have their own computer in the home, are at an advantage. Children who have their own computer perform better in school when using computers and have acquired more skill than children who have to rely on libraries and do not have internet access. The children without the computers struggle and have a hard time keeping up with the lessons on the computer in the classroom. Wartella, Okeefe, states that, "Children who have access to home computers demonstrate more positive attitudes towards computers, show more enthusiasm and report more enthusiasm and ease when using computers than those who do not, (Okeefe 8).

           

            The problem with the internet is that most children are not being supervised by adults and do not know what is appropriate to post and share with others and what isn't. Children used to write in school newspapers that were reviewed by adults, what they share on their websites is often not reviewed by anyone and they do not know what they shouldn't be sharing. Children and teens post things that get them negative attention and they don't realize that anyone can see it.

           

            I think that the Internet and media technology can be a great learning tool for students and opportunity to acquire skills that they will need for a job. I think that everyone should have free access to the internet. Children who do not have access to the internet struggle with computers and are not comfortable using them. Children who do have computers and game systems at home are at an advantage. I think that children should be able to create and share things over the internet, but should be supervised by an adult and learn about internet safety. Computers can help students acquire the same amount of knowledge as a text book. We should think of the computer more as a learning tool than just a distraction for students. I don't' think that teachers shouldn't be afraid of  media education and that it could really benefit them while teaching.