Weekly Reading #9

1. How do educators in youth media programs differ from the orientation of classroom teachers in terms of preparing students for using digital media for work related purposes?

It seems to me that educators in youth media programs seem to be more toward higher level thinking than average classroom teachers.  The media teachers propose more open ended questioning with more than one result.  Classroom teachers often only want one answer for their questions.  In the world that we live in today there are many ways to achieve results and students need to be able to answer questions in different ways.

2. With some important exceptions, how are lower income youth marginalized from using digital media in ways that might provide them with economic empowerment?

Sadly when you cant afford the games systems or internet, you are not going to be able to gain that digital ability like other students that can afford it and use it on a daily basis.  When students have the ability to use computers, they are often qualified for many jobs.  These jobs can change that students economic situation.

3. In 2005 the CEO of IBM announced that if we wanted know what business leadership looks like in the 21 century look at what is going on in MMORPG's. After reading Box 7.4 does this make sense? Are you impressed by the levels of commitment and collaboration it takes players to be successful in these games? Do you have new respect for gamers?

The level of leadership is unbelievable.  The young people would be great at collaboration to run a very large company. I do believe that this is what leadership in the 21 century will require.   It would be hard not to have a new respect for gamers at this level.

4. How do school need to change to become learning environments that cultivate the same kind of enthusiasm and commitment from young people like NeoPets did for Eddie? How can digital media play a role in the creation of these kinds of environments?

I believe that teachers will need to teach to their students learning styles.  They will have to embrace digital media and help students become more engaged in the subject matter.  Students are absolutely in love with technology and teachers will have to use this to keep their students moving forward.