I love the snippet from the article that states, “We are moving away from a world in which some produce and many consume media, toward one in which everyone has a more active stake in the culture that is produced” (10). This is completely, 100% pertinent to teachers, especially as we prepare to enter our own classrooms and teach a class (or multiple classes) this very concept: that they are, quite literally, the future of civilization as we know it. Looking at our culture today, that very largely means that they will be utilizing the media that is so rampant all around us and making it into something that is their own.
 |
| via. |
I feel that with our art form of theatre, we have an even greater responsibility to influence our students and help them to see the kind of impact they can have on the world around them. Just taking a more specific and direct example, the mere act of producing a show for the general public could help students see what kind of an impact their own choice of media can (and undoubtedly will) have on the people around. Take advertising for one. Most students, especially at the high school level, will have access to the internet and (most likely) have a Facebook or similar networking online account. Even more students may have blogs, YouTube accounts, Twitters, and the list really goes on and on. As you rehearse your show and get your students amped up for their performances, you can encourage them to take video at rehearsals and upload them to their YouTube accounts; invite their friends to “attend” the Facebook event for the play; snap a photo of some really cool set or costume designs and Instagram it, or upload it to their Twitter page. This kind of advertising – almost 100% media-based, will allow students to see first-hand the effect of what they are doing (from stage to the World Wide Web) to help bring their show to life, audience included!
 |
| via. |
We as teachers need to embrace this participatory culture, not shun it or run from it. If we want to prepare our students to make big decisions and let their voices be heard, why not start within our the walls of our classrooms and theatre auditoriums, and give them a safe way to do so? Certainly with every attempt to integrate this culture with our students will not be successful at every turn. Among the challenges that we are likely to face, using the internet in and of itself can quickly turn into a mess, as it is very hard to edit or censor what goes on, especially as it leaves the classroom. As the article suggests, certainly the wider use of online interaction will increase students’ ability to interact with their peers and others in a more comfortable and casual manner.
 |
| via. |
On the flip side, however, one of the biggest concerns brought up is that of the “participation gap”. It is certainly not the case that every student across the globe (or even the US) has ready access to a computer, much less the internet, as frequently as they may like. However, most every high school should have some form of library in which students can access computers (and the internet); otherwise a local library may suffice and after-school transportation (or perhaps even a mini field trip one day a week or so) could be provided to ensure all students are getting access to the media they are interacting with. I love the idea of having students work together online, while also being physically together and present in the classroom. This could open the door to broader communication and we could readily see one another’s’ interactions online within our technological realm as a class. It still isn’t full-proof in the sense of monitoring and censoring inappropriate behavior or comments made, but it could at least hopefully foster a sense of community within the classroom. This will hopefully lead students with a desire to be more actively involved within their classroom and excite them into engaging in participatory culture as a whole.
I am really passionate about the participatory culture aspect of this article! I really had a hard time figuring out how the three core problems were really important to the issue of participatory culture. I think that participatory culture is so important. I think it’s important to kids today to be apart of that, and I feel it’s so important to foster that in our classrooms. I would have loved if the article talked a lot more about how we can foster participatory culture in our classrooms, rather than what the core problems of media literacy/education are.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, like I mentioned I’m passionate about this concept. I love what the article said about how participatory culture breeds a setting where “members believe that their contributions matter.” I think that’s so important. If students (or anyone really) don’t believe that their work is worthwhile, or that their audience doesn’t find it worthwhile, then they won’t share it. It’s possible that they won’t make it either. If students feel they are in a safe environment, surrounded by people that support them then I believe that they will take risks, and work hard to share things that they wouldn’t normally share. I believe they will go out of their comfort zone to make really incredible work that can change their lives. If students don’t feel that there is a high risk of failure then they feel that they can do anything. It makes it safe for them to explore a huge variety of opportunities.
I think that we need to acknowledge that in the contemporary world this is a reality. If I don’t foster this in my classroom then students will find it somewhere else. Well, this has an addendum. Students that are already self-identified artists will find another community that will appreciate them, and that they can share in. For students that have not yet identified themselves as artists or “creative,” a harsh classroom environment could crush that possibility forever. Either way, I don’t want to be responsible for ruining a student’s creative future. And for those who already see themselves as artists or creative I don’t want them to have to find another creative outlet besides my classroom! I feel like I’ve failed as an educator if that happens. This means I can’t be afraid to fail. Perhaps if I show my students work I’ve made that I was nervous about, or that I felt was a failure then they won’t find me as someone that will judge their work very harshly. I also have to establish a tone of complete respect within my classroom so that the students feel comfortable with each other, as well. They should understand that there are “low barriers [to their] artistic expression,” as the article says. I think another thing that can help foster the type of classroom that I want is that concept of people that are more experienced helping those who are novices. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses that they can share.
I think an interesting thing to do would be to allow students to find an online community that they identify with, and wish to contribute to. This might be a blog, gaming website, informational forum, etc. They should present something to the teacher as to what the media forum is, and why they want to contribute to it. I think that a lot of them are already doing this, and I think it could help others learn of new places where they might like to share. This is such a huge thing in contemporary culture, where many people find lasting relationships and comfort. I think students often find a lot of kinship in these types of communities where they feel that they can share with those that understand them, and value what they value. I love the idea of these “experimental” classroom environments where students can feel like the “expert.”
I have a terrible confession to make: participatory culture scares me. I feel more and more that the integration of media is creating a social and cognitive lag in our development. As people rely more and more on the media to communicate, the less they are having face-to-face conversations and experiences.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to Broadway plays, I have put in more time on YouTube than I have in a theater. I more often text or facebook my friends rather than talk to them in person or even call them. I spend more time on the computer/TV/ipad/etc. than I do engaging with the world around me. I think I can safely say that this is the case for most middle-class students (especially teens).
Having said that, It was interesting to me to see Jenkin's view of participatory culture. He encourages the use and the full integration of media into our classrooms. I really liked that Sarah stands with Jenkin's on this matter. "We as teachers need to embrace this participatory culture, not shun it or run from it. If we want to prepare our students to make big decisions and let their voices be heard, why not start within the walls of our classrooms and theatre auditoriums, and give them a safe way to do so?" As a future educator, I need to realize that my students will be/have been/are fully immersed in a digitized world, and participating in this culture is quickly becoming the only way to make yourself heard. If we want our students to feel what they are doing is being noticed and is making a difference, media is a great tool to do just that. In fact, media might be the only way they are able to get their thoughts and ideas out there in the very near future.
One of the goals of theater teachers everywhere is to teach our kids how to communicate. Not just communication with theater, but communication in general. They learn the skills of communication THROUGH theater, but this can (and should) be applied in all other areas of these student's lives. If a student can communicate and use media effectively, they can reach out and influence the lives of more people than they could without these skills. Participatory culture plus theatrical training arms a student with the knowledge to reach out and make a difference. To use Jenkin's own words, "members [will] believe their contributions matter” and "feel some degree of social connection with one another”.