Coming of Age With the Internet

Brief History of the Internet
The internet was first though about in the 1960's. By 197o, a few colleges and universities (Harvard, MIT, and a few others) were connected by this archaic internet (known as ARPANET). from this, the internet did not see major growth until the development of Microsoft Windows 98 in June of 1998.

Macmillian and Morrison Article

Macmillian and Morrison collected autobiographical stories of college students.
"This study investigates how coming of age concurrently with the internet and related technologies has influenced these young people’s lives." Interestingly, the study was published in 2006, at this time much of our lives have already been impacted by the vast amount of knowledge on the internet. While reading this article, it was apparent that the researchers were interested in how the technologies (i.e.internet) had changes the students social lives (real comunities vs. cyber communities). Macmillian and Morrison found four major themes develop in their research:self, family, real communities, and virtual communities. The participants in the study noted a growing dependency on the internet in their soical lives. Interestingly, the participants also noted that the internet enabled them to develop a greater sense of self. Along these lines, the researchers also found that the particpants did not feel that they altered themselves online, that they were the same on and off line.


I do not agree that people (young adults) are always the "same person" on and off the internet. I have had this conversation with many students and there is certain amount of confidence they get being in front of the computer as opposed to being in person. Students are able to communicate more freely and say things that would not normally say to a person's face. This hints to the cyberbullying and sexting that takes place among our youth. Students do not go home and play anymore, they go home and get on the computer or their phone.

As an educator, I see an ever growing dependence on the internet in my classroom. I began teaching in 2000. At the time, I rarely did any online projects or interactive labs. Now, these technoologies are part of my curriculum. The students are well versed in computer language and technology. even though this is true, I fear their evergrowing confidence with the internet disables other forms of research and communication in and out of the classroom. For example, I am constantly fixing the IM language in formal essays.

Personally, I love facebook. I am able to connect with people I have not lived near, worked with, or known in years. I have not however let this become my sole means of communication, I still talk on the phone, meet people for coffee, and have friends over for dinner. I hope these social interactions do not get lost in future generations.

By the way, here is a new study that links internet use to depression. Currently, they do not know what came first....

Internet use linked to depression

Changed template...

ok, I changed my template but still can not post comments.....

Media LIteracy 101

As I sit by my computer, with the TV on, and my cell phone by my side, I don't really have to wonder how the media shape out society. I am an example of a media driven person...

Media influences much of how we are and what we feel is important, ideal, and what we value (individually and as a society). Take this video clip for example....



Throughout this video, I found myself angry yet intrigued at the same time. I have read those magazines, bought the expensive mascara to elongate my lases, and look in the mirror confused at times...

It s important to understand the media and its pull on society in order to maintain a true self. Media Literacy equips individuals with the tools necessary to "read the mass media and TV." It is essential for us to be able to critique, analyze, and interpret the media messages. Some even include the production of media within the definition of media literacy.

PBS has posted a media literacy quiz...test your media literacy!

Nine Inch Nails Video....intersting!

Me-eeedia literacy......

Madonna still on my mind!

Ok, the WHOLE ride home I was dissecting the Madonna video...here it goes, I hope this clears up what I was trying to say in class.

Madonna's video is meant to be a "tongue in cheek" look at our societal norms.  The elderly woman represents the "typical" woman in modern society.  She is watching tv when Madonna picks her up.  Madonna and her then combat all of the repressions that woman encounter throughout their lives and rebel.  The elderly woman maintains her ambivalence  during all of the rebellious acts that Madonna exposes her to in turn represent the way the "common" woman does with all of the experiences.  Madonna, on the other hand, represents what we all want to do at some point.  In the end, when Madonna and the elderly woman die in the car crash it is basically saying, "hey, we all die, we can either die feeling we made a difference or die accepting what we don't agree with."  Being a girl is complex and real, it is not easy.  We all need to rebel, it may feel uncomfortable but in the end what will matter most?

I applaud Madonna and am sure others look on in horror, I look on with a smile. :)

A Barbie World!

"Unlearning the Myths that Bind Us" by L. Christensen

Christensen identifies the concept that popular culture shapes the views of society.  "Society's culture industry teaches them how to act, live, and dream,"  them, being young children, teens, and even some (or most) adults.  Throughout her article, Christensen points to children's literature and popular Disney movies to articulate her point that children "accept the world as it is portrayed in these social blueprint."  It is disturbing to think about these movies, which portray stereotypes which display the in-just, inequality, and the social hierarchy that exists within our society, shaping our youth.  It is important to note that these images are not only found in Disney or in fairy tales.  In society we are continually bombarded with these dominant ideologies...magazines, TV, ads, billboards, etc.  Just think of the concept of the "princess."  What characteristics come to mind when a young girl/boy hears the word princess?  Young, pretty, white, thin,..you can see where this is going.  What does the "evil" character look like?  Ugly, old, overweight,...

This reading was interesting, straightforward, and thought provoking.  There were no confusing points.

This article demonstrates that  "media matters."  It is clear that popular culture teaches youth about the world.  Christensen points to the fact that we need to question the media and the images that are projected on us.

In closing, I would like to add that I have read this article before and always enjoy revisiting it with new eyes.