Weekly Reading #6
1. What surprised you, concerned you, or intrigued about students' access to technology in their homes?
I was most surprised by the amount of Americans who have Internet access at home. I thought it would be significantly less than the 89 percent quoted. Living in a rural area, I know there are several households in this area whose only available Internet source would be dial-up access.
2. What kinds of household spaces related to technology, or rules about using technology, were similar or dissimilar to your own household environment?
Our household has both public and private media spaces; however, most everything takes place in my living room (it is a tiny house). Most of our computer usage is from laptops in the living room. My daughter does have a desktop in her room. Since doing my ecology study, her Internet usage has been monitored more and she chooses to use the laptop in the living room. We have gaming consoles in both the living room and our bedroom. The one in our bedroom is used most for watching movies. My daughter has a TV w/satellite in her room. Her viewing choices are monitored and consist mostly of Disney, Nick and shows on A&E like Swamp People or Pawn Stars (she has unique viewing habits for an 8 year old).
Our rules about using technology are similar - homework first, sometimes used as a reward. Currently, my daughter is lobbying for a cell phone; however, 8 is too young.
Our household has both public and private media spaces; however, most everything takes place in my living room (it is a tiny house). Most of our computer usage is from laptops in the living room. My daughter does have a desktop in her room. Since doing my ecology study, her Internet usage has been monitored more and she chooses to use the laptop in the living room. We have gaming consoles in both the living room and our bedroom. The one in our bedroom is used most for watching movies. My daughter has a TV w/satellite in her room. Her viewing choices are monitored and consist mostly of Disney, Nick and shows on A&E like Swamp People or Pawn Stars (she has unique viewing habits for an 8 year old).
Our rules about using technology are similar - homework first, sometimes used as a reward. Currently, my daughter is lobbying for a cell phone; however, 8 is too young.
3. Could this chapter be helpful for teachers who seek to integrate technology into their classroom activities in more meaningful ways? Give an example from the chapter.
This chapter would be helpful for teachers seeking to integrate technology into their classroom activities in more meaningful ways. The chapter gives the example of families spending media time together making websites, videos and editing digital photos (page 167). Lessons could be incorporated into the family media time having to do with these subjects. Students already show interest in these areas and meaningful authentic learning opportunities with the parents are available.
This chapter would be helpful for teachers seeking to integrate technology into their classroom activities in more meaningful ways. The chapter gives the example of families spending media time together making websites, videos and editing digital photos (page 167). Lessons could be incorporated into the family media time having to do with these subjects. Students already show interest in these areas and meaningful authentic learning opportunities with the parents are available.
Weekly Reading #7
1. What surprised you, concerned you, or intrigued about students' engagement with gaming?
With a husband who is an avid gamer, I found this chapter very interesting. I was concerned about the time students spend engaging in gaming. The chapter states that between 1999 and 2004 the time students spent gaming almost doubled from 26 minutes a day to 46 minutes a day (ok, I am a little surprised by this. I figured it would be more time than that). Additionally, I was surprised that the number of women eighteen and older engaging in gaming is greater than that of boys seventeen and younger (30% vs. 23%).
With a husband who is an avid gamer, I found this chapter very interesting. I was concerned about the time students spend engaging in gaming. The chapter states that between 1999 and 2004 the time students spent gaming almost doubled from 26 minutes a day to 46 minutes a day (ok, I am a little surprised by this. I figured it would be more time than that). Additionally, I was surprised that the number of women eighteen and older engaging in gaming is greater than that of boys seventeen and younger (30% vs. 23%).
2. What aspects of your own gaming experiences were reflected in the case studies?
I was more of a gamer when I was younger than I am now. Between work, school and babies, I have little time for it. However, I do, on occasion, play Call of Duty or Resistance with my husband. It is something that we can do together that we enjoy at home at no cost! When I do play games, it is usually on my computer and is a word game like Words with Friends or Scrabble. One section of the chapter talked about how even though gamers were engaged in a multiplayer game, they would open up a small flash game in another window during lulls in the action. I find myself doing this often. I contribute it to short attention span.
I was more of a gamer when I was younger than I am now. Between work, school and babies, I have little time for it. However, I do, on occasion, play Call of Duty or Resistance with my husband. It is something that we can do together that we enjoy at home at no cost! When I do play games, it is usually on my computer and is a word game like Words with Friends or Scrabble. One section of the chapter talked about how even though gamers were engaged in a multiplayer game, they would open up a small flash game in another window during lulls in the action. I find myself doing this often. I contribute it to short attention span.
3. Read the last paragraph on page 240. Do you agree or disagree with the comparison between sports and gaming and the benefits they offer children in terms of learning.
Wow, I had never thought about comparing gaming and sports. I believe that sports offer far greater benefits than gaming both physically and socially. Physical benefits are obvious. Both sports and gaming have social implications. From my own experience with gaming, I find that sportmanship and social interaction are severely lacking in multiplayer gaming. The anonimity of online game play gives children the freedom to express themselves in negative ways - especially when their interaction is not monitored at home.
My kids love watching Storage Wars. The physical benefits of sports should not be overlooked! However it seemed to me that for some kids, gaming is an intensely social activity. I do also agree that perception that online interaction has little consequence in face-to-face lives can lead to some negative behavior on behave of teens...and adults. I'm impressed with your own gaming experience!
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