The following are questions I intend to focus on when interviewing teens. I plan on taking their answers and analyzing them.
Politics and Current Issues
If you could vote in the 2008 presidential election who would you vote for?
Why?
What are your feelings on the election?
Where did you hear or get the information you used to form your opinions?
What political party would you affiliate yourself with? Why?
What party does your parents or the people you live associate with?
When was the last time you watch the news? World or local?
What was going on in the new at that point in time?
When was the last time you read the news paper?
What did you read about at that point in time?
What state do you feel our country is currently in?
Why do you feel this way?
Can it be changed, if so how?
What state do you feel our economy is currently in?
Why?
Can it be changed if so how?
What are some current issues that concern you?
Where did you hear or learn about these issues?
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
Where is the balance between digital and physical?
After reading these articles I understand that technology and internet spaces such as You Tube and MySpace can be used as both positive and negative spaces.
I have mixed feelings whether or not these online spaces could or should be considered a community. The digital native in me thinks of theses spaces as a great mean of communication. I feel that online spaces are a great tool to use to get people informed. And spread information to a large number of people at once.
The digital immigrant in me is concerned about the fine line between digital and physical. It concerns me when I hear people saying they talked to someone when what they are referring to is leaving a message on one another’s MySpace accounts.
I feel that there has to be a balance between the digital world and the physical world. If there were more places and things for the youth to go and do then that balance will easily exist.
I was very interested in Boyd’s piece and the issues she brought up. “Over 50 million accounts have been created…MySpace has more views per day than any site on the web except Yahoo”
“The potential risks on MySpace are not why youth are flocking the site. To them, the benefits for socialization outweigh the potential harm.”
“Many teens access MySpace at least once a day or whenever computer access is possible.”
“Profiles provide an opportunity to craft the intended expression through language, imagery and media.”
“Friends are expected to comment as a sign of their affection.”
Adults, or digital immigrants, are “arguing that the digital does not replace the physical. Teens agree, it is not the technology that encourages youth to spend time online- it’s the lack of mobility and access to youth space here they can hang out uninterrupted.”
“Teens have increasingly less access to public space.”
I agree, I don’t think there are enough positive extracurricular activities for teens, nor are their means of transportation for the teens to get there.
Things I disagree with:
“While the potential predator or future employers don’t concern most teens, parents and teachers do”.
Not every teen hates adults or does not want anything to do with their parents or teachers. Some teens look up to adults. I find that most teens are very interested in their teachers and what they do outside of school. If a teacher created a MySpace account a majority of their students and other students from that school will be interested to see what they have posted.
I have mixed feelings whether or not these online spaces could or should be considered a community. The digital native in me thinks of theses spaces as a great mean of communication. I feel that online spaces are a great tool to use to get people informed. And spread information to a large number of people at once.
The digital immigrant in me is concerned about the fine line between digital and physical. It concerns me when I hear people saying they talked to someone when what they are referring to is leaving a message on one another’s MySpace accounts.
I feel that there has to be a balance between the digital world and the physical world. If there were more places and things for the youth to go and do then that balance will easily exist.
I was very interested in Boyd’s piece and the issues she brought up. “Over 50 million accounts have been created…MySpace has more views per day than any site on the web except Yahoo”
“The potential risks on MySpace are not why youth are flocking the site. To them, the benefits for socialization outweigh the potential harm.”
“Many teens access MySpace at least once a day or whenever computer access is possible.”
“Profiles provide an opportunity to craft the intended expression through language, imagery and media.”
“Friends are expected to comment as a sign of their affection.”
Adults, or digital immigrants, are “arguing that the digital does not replace the physical. Teens agree, it is not the technology that encourages youth to spend time online- it’s the lack of mobility and access to youth space here they can hang out uninterrupted.”
“Teens have increasingly less access to public space.”
I agree, I don’t think there are enough positive extracurricular activities for teens, nor are their means of transportation for the teens to get there.
Things I disagree with:
“While the potential predator or future employers don’t concern most teens, parents and teachers do”.
Not every teen hates adults or does not want anything to do with their parents or teachers. Some teens look up to adults. I find that most teens are very interested in their teachers and what they do outside of school. If a teacher created a MySpace account a majority of their students and other students from that school will be interested to see what they have posted.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Kid Nation
The task for the 40 pre-teens and teens in a New Mexico “ghost town” is to “try to fix their forefather’s mistakes and build a new town that works.”
“This is to prove that kids of all age groups can actually take control, get organized and that you can actually work together cooperatively” I feel the concept of Kid Nation goes against the common discourse regarding children and teens.
“They’ll cope with regular childhood emotions and situations,” the participants are just coping with millions of Americans watching. The producers of Kid Nation and Thomas Hine’s beliefs go against the popularized ideas such as: the concept of the teenagers rests in turn on the idea of the adolescent as not quite competent person, beset by stress and hormones.
Although I have never seen the show I can see how this show would be entertaining; it is showing children in positive situations. Kid Nation is showing America that children can be leaders. This show is one of the few positive representations of children in the media.
“The makers of Kid Nation have been variously accused of violating local child labor laws, not paying participants enough, and abuse and neglect after several children suffered minor injuries in the course of filming” I don’t feel there is a problem with CBS because the parents or guardians of the participants had to sign an agreement, “which released CBS and its producers from responsibility for serious bodily injury, illness or death.” After reading and signing the agreement whatever happens is in the stations responsibility.
Although these articles talked about how these children were going to fail or how these kids are going against the “norm” but not one of the authors mentioned the prerequisites or the application process. What were the producers looking for? These children could possibly be very gifted leaders. The authors write about the Kid Nation participants are “regular” kids but are they? Greg Thot, for example his “jaw-dropping bio”, there are not many children, or adults for the instance that have such a resumé.
“This is to prove that kids of all age groups can actually take control, get organized and that you can actually work together cooperatively” I feel the concept of Kid Nation goes against the common discourse regarding children and teens.
“They’ll cope with regular childhood emotions and situations,” the participants are just coping with millions of Americans watching. The producers of Kid Nation and Thomas Hine’s beliefs go against the popularized ideas such as: the concept of the teenagers rests in turn on the idea of the adolescent as not quite competent person, beset by stress and hormones.
Although I have never seen the show I can see how this show would be entertaining; it is showing children in positive situations. Kid Nation is showing America that children can be leaders. This show is one of the few positive representations of children in the media.
“The makers of Kid Nation have been variously accused of violating local child labor laws, not paying participants enough, and abuse and neglect after several children suffered minor injuries in the course of filming” I don’t feel there is a problem with CBS because the parents or guardians of the participants had to sign an agreement, “which released CBS and its producers from responsibility for serious bodily injury, illness or death.” After reading and signing the agreement whatever happens is in the stations responsibility.
Although these articles talked about how these children were going to fail or how these kids are going against the “norm” but not one of the authors mentioned the prerequisites or the application process. What were the producers looking for? These children could possibly be very gifted leaders. The authors write about the Kid Nation participants are “regular” kids but are they? Greg Thot, for example his “jaw-dropping bio”, there are not many children, or adults for the instance that have such a resumé.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
You're Invited to Happy Hour
MAKE YOUR HAPPY HOUR LAST FOREVER!
Hello everyone,
I would like to invite you to Happy Hour.
I have been working with Mary Olenn, planning an event about drinking and driving. Mary has arranged for Linda Chaves, from MADD, to show us her latest presentation and speak about the effects of drinking and driving.
Happy Hour will be held this Tuesday, April 8th in the Browne Hall Upper Lounge at 7:30pm. Mocktails and refreshments will be served.
I hope to see you there!
Hello everyone,
I would like to invite you to Happy Hour.
I have been working with Mary Olenn, planning an event about drinking and driving. Mary has arranged for Linda Chaves, from MADD, to show us her latest presentation and speak about the effects of drinking and driving.
Happy Hour will be held this Tuesday, April 8th in the Browne Hall Upper Lounge at 7:30pm. Mocktails and refreshments will be served.
I hope to see you there!
Final Project Topic
For my final project I am interested in the way teenagers view politics and current issues. I would like to interview teens to try to get their perspectives. I am also interested in where the teens get their information; from classes, parents, the news.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
What will it take to stop drinking and driving?
It was not difficult finding articles relating to teenagers. An article that stuck out to me was the Tuesday, March 27, 2008 Providence Journal. The article was about a Barrington teenager who was sentenced after hitting a man while driving intoxicated on December 29, 2007. DUI and driving drunk is very common, especially with teenagers and young adults. Within the past six months three DUI incidents have hit close to home. One of incidents was at the end of January and one of my friends was killed in that drunk driving crash.
I call it a crash not an accident because any time someone drives under the influence it is not accident, the driver makes the decision to get behind the wheel; just as this teenager made the decision to drive after he had been drinking on December 29th. In the article the court chief judge, Jeremiah said “Barrington police recently referred 12 other teens to his court on alcohol possession charges.” Recently 12 teens in Barrington alone, and 12 is only the number that got caught.
Jeremiah also spoke about the sentenced teen calling him “intelligent”. I feel as though most of the people who get themselves into a situation such as DUI are intelligent, but what happens to make them think they can drink and drive? Where are the friends who are drinking with the individuals, how can they allow them to drive?
The sentenced teen’s blood alcohol content when he was pulled over on the 29th was .035 which is below the legal limit, but because he was not 21 years of age it is illegal. If you under 21 any blood alcohol content level will get you arrested!
This teen was sentenced to six months in the state training school, 200 hours of community service, write a letter of apology to the victim and undergo alcohol counseling. The teen’s layer, Dana, was happy with the judges decision he feels, “It keeps my clients future intact. It allows him to continue on with his life without lifelong ramifications.” “These types of offenses will not go without severe punishment.” In my opinion 6 months in a training school, some community service and counseling is not severe punishment. This teen does not have lifelong ramification, but what about the victim and his family?
Tuesday, April 8th I am having an event at 7:30 in Browne Hall upper lounge: How to Make You Happy Hour Last. Please join us!
I call it a crash not an accident because any time someone drives under the influence it is not accident, the driver makes the decision to get behind the wheel; just as this teenager made the decision to drive after he had been drinking on December 29th. In the article the court chief judge, Jeremiah said “Barrington police recently referred 12 other teens to his court on alcohol possession charges.” Recently 12 teens in Barrington alone, and 12 is only the number that got caught.
Jeremiah also spoke about the sentenced teen calling him “intelligent”. I feel as though most of the people who get themselves into a situation such as DUI are intelligent, but what happens to make them think they can drink and drive? Where are the friends who are drinking with the individuals, how can they allow them to drive?
The sentenced teen’s blood alcohol content when he was pulled over on the 29th was .035 which is below the legal limit, but because he was not 21 years of age it is illegal. If you under 21 any blood alcohol content level will get you arrested!
This teen was sentenced to six months in the state training school, 200 hours of community service, write a letter of apology to the victim and undergo alcohol counseling. The teen’s layer, Dana, was happy with the judges decision he feels, “It keeps my clients future intact. It allows him to continue on with his life without lifelong ramifications.” “These types of offenses will not go without severe punishment.” In my opinion 6 months in a training school, some community service and counseling is not severe punishment. This teen does not have lifelong ramification, but what about the victim and his family?
Tuesday, April 8th I am having an event at 7:30 in Browne Hall upper lounge: How to Make You Happy Hour Last. Please join us!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Boys aren't really bad
Bad Boys
By Ann Arnett Ferguson
As soon as I started reading this piece I was shocked and rather disgusted by the a quote a teacher speaking to Ferguson, “That one has a jail-cell with his name on it.” I was so shocked a teacher would say that about their student and turned off by the piece.
As I read on I realized Ferguson was not agreeing with this teacher she was trying to figure out how could or why a teacher would say something like this about their student.
Ferguson’s purpose was to bring awareness to the “hidden curriculum.” Ferguson brings forward the hidden curriculum which “marginalizes and isolates black male youth in disciplinary spaces and brands them as a criminally inclined.”
If a teacher does not have confidence in a student have can the student have confidence in him or herself?
“No one at the school seemed surprised that the vast majority of children defined as “at-risk” of failing academically, of being future school dropouts, were mostly black and male.” Why is this? Whose fault is this? If you ask me this is the teacher’s and administration’s fault. A school administrator spoke about a student saying the child was “‘unsalvageable’ and on whom precious resources would be wasted” WASTED!?! First of all it is not the administration that is paying for the resources; it is tax payers, the student’s parents. The job of administration and teachers is to create equity and equal education and opportunity for all students, and they are clearly not doing that in Rosa Parks School.
“One-half of the Rosa Parks student body was black, and one third was white. The teaching was predominately white and female.” It seems as though these teacher are staying in their comfort zone, what they know, and not getting to know or understand their students that have a different race and or gender then them. Instead students are being sent to the Punishing Room. In the Punishing Room the students are not being challenged, they just sit and do their work without the positive attention from a teacher.
Once Ferguson gets to know Horace she sees the sweet, responsible, knowledgeable child his is. If the teachers get to know the students, where they come from, and what their home life is like they may view the students in a different way.
Even though I was frustrated with the context of this study (the teachers) I am so happy I was made aware of the “hidden curriculum.”
By Ann Arnett Ferguson
As soon as I started reading this piece I was shocked and rather disgusted by the a quote a teacher speaking to Ferguson, “That one has a jail-cell with his name on it.” I was so shocked a teacher would say that about their student and turned off by the piece.
As I read on I realized Ferguson was not agreeing with this teacher she was trying to figure out how could or why a teacher would say something like this about their student.
Ferguson’s purpose was to bring awareness to the “hidden curriculum.” Ferguson brings forward the hidden curriculum which “marginalizes and isolates black male youth in disciplinary spaces and brands them as a criminally inclined.”
If a teacher does not have confidence in a student have can the student have confidence in him or herself?
“No one at the school seemed surprised that the vast majority of children defined as “at-risk” of failing academically, of being future school dropouts, were mostly black and male.” Why is this? Whose fault is this? If you ask me this is the teacher’s and administration’s fault. A school administrator spoke about a student saying the child was “‘unsalvageable’ and on whom precious resources would be wasted” WASTED!?! First of all it is not the administration that is paying for the resources; it is tax payers, the student’s parents. The job of administration and teachers is to create equity and equal education and opportunity for all students, and they are clearly not doing that in Rosa Parks School.
“One-half of the Rosa Parks student body was black, and one third was white. The teaching was predominately white and female.” It seems as though these teacher are staying in their comfort zone, what they know, and not getting to know or understand their students that have a different race and or gender then them. Instead students are being sent to the Punishing Room. In the Punishing Room the students are not being challenged, they just sit and do their work without the positive attention from a teacher.
Once Ferguson gets to know Horace she sees the sweet, responsible, knowledgeable child his is. If the teachers get to know the students, where they come from, and what their home life is like they may view the students in a different way.
Even though I was frustrated with the context of this study (the teachers) I am so happy I was made aware of the “hidden curriculum.”
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