Week (6) Post

Pick a topic or issue from the readings that struck you as interesting, important, confusing, etc. and reflect on it in by responding to the following prompts: What is / are the tools and techniques being put into practice? What is / are the key issue(s) outlined in or underlying the text (think in terms of Green’s model: operational, cultural and critical)? What are your feelings and opinions on the reading? Be sure to reference the reading(s) including author and page number.

The article by W. Lance Bennett called “Changing Citizenship in the Digital Age” stuck me as interesting because it addresses the shifting of communicating and sharing information.  Even though this was published in 2008 it is still reverent today.  Young citizens are utilizing technology as a means to express themselves and share information in an effort to change and bring political issues to the forefront.  “It is clear that many young citizens of this digital and global age have demonstrated interest in making contribution to society” (Bennett, 2008). 

Digital platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn provides an avenue for young citizens to voice their own opinions or discussions and link up with those of share their ideas.   The United States presidential election in 2008 was groundbreaking when then candidate President Obama used social media as a form of communications.  “This election was the first in which all candidates – presidential and congressional attempted to connect directly with American voters via online social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace” (Fraser & Dutta, 2008).

In using Green’s 3D model the Operational is the language used within social media and amongst digital natives.  The Cultural is the Internet and platforms used to voice their political opinions.  The Critical is maximizing these online platforms to reach other young citizens.  In my opinion, this text focused too much on politics than the median in which the message is shared.   I do understand that the author(s) point of views of their expressions in the text but I felt it was too wordy in trying to express the point.  Overall, good read and it has opened my mind to another way thinking about politics using digital media. I’m not a big user of social media. 

References:

Bennett, W. (2008). Changing Citizenship in the Digital Age. Retrieved from https://moodle.esc.edu/pluginfile.php/1266359/mod_page/content/11/Changing%20Citizenship%20in%20Digital%20Age.pdf

Fraser, M., & Dutta, S. (2008). Barack Obama and the Facebook Election. Retrieved from U.S. News: http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2008/11/19/barack-obama-and-the-facebook-election

Week (3) Post

“Enter a reflective journal entry post on your blog. Pick a topic or issue from the readings that struck you as interesting, important, confusing, etc. and reflect on it in by responding to the following prompts:

1. What is/are the tools and techniques (or new skills) being put into practice?
2. What is/are the key issue(s) outlined in or underlying the text (think in terms of Green’s model: operational, cultural and critical)?
3. What are your feelings and opinions on the reading?
4. Be sure to reference the reading including author and page number.”

 

From the required readings this week.  The topic that was interesting to me was Mobile Place:  The Rise of the Telecocoon.   “A telecocoon is a zone of intimacy in which people can continuously maintain their relationship with other who they have encountered without being restricted by geography and time” (Ito, Okabe, & Matsuda, 2005, p. 167).   The topic covered some of the major advancements in technology that contributed to teleconcooning such has the traditional telephone, automobiles, and car radios to now mobile phones and Global Positioning Systems (GPS).  As mobile technology continues to advance the new tools (advances in mobile technology) and techniques/skills (users using the technology) are further advancing the act of teleconcooning.  Other new advances, are the practices of using group Short Message Service (SMS), setting up virtual meetings environments,  and coordinating group gatherings utilizing social networking sites to name a few. 

In using Green’s 3D model the Operational or common literacy practices - the challenge is having the ability to keep up with the current technology and its uses.  That comes with closing the digital divide gaps and having access to the latest technology.  The Cultural or specific literacy practice would be the availability of current technology.  In the United States, we have access and availability to the latest mobile technology.  Have you ever wonder why there is such a demand for your older mobile phone?  “According to (Goldman, 2011), “the CEO of Gazelle, states there is a high demand for old mobile phones – usually in developing countries where there’s not a lot of supply.” The Critical or critiquing literacy practices is taking advantage of these technologies in the reform of literacy practices using this new media.   

The topic gave a good summarization of how the term telecocoon related to the evolution of technology and it gave good examples and explanations.  It seemed to focus more on the mobile phone aspect as it relates to telecocoon in which I think I understand because of the available of mobile phones.  “Mobile phone use has skyrocketed from 5 million subscribers in the United States (11 million worldwide) in 1990 to 225 million (2.7 billion worldwide) in 2007” (Varnelis, 2008, p. 23). 

I do have one more final thought on this topic.  I can recognize the benefits of telecocoon but in my opinion, prolong use of this technique can desensitize our human socializing skills.  What are your thoughts?

 

Reference:

Goldman, D. (2011). Your Dead iPhone is a Gold Mine - Literally. Retrieved from CNN: http://money.cnn.com/2011/10/13/technology/iphone_trade_in/

Ito, M., Okabe, D., & Matsuda, M. (2005). Personal, Portable, Pedestrian. Retrieved from http://dev.mobilities.ca/rs/filestore/6/0/1_0544a75d9f7c647/601_c3da6c695756a6d.pdf#page=180

Varnelis, K. (2008). Networked Publics. Cambridge: MIT Press.