Wednesday, September 10, 2008

New Media & Children

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I'm going to share some amazing obervations with you that I collected over the summer working as a counselor at an elementary school. Everyday of the summer I saw 95% of the 5th graders playing with a Nintendo DS in the morning, during lunchtime, and snacktime. The remaining 5% are those who doesn't own a Nintendo DS but they didnt mind watching and advising those who are playing. Their eyes were glued to the screens as long as they have one in front of them. I wished I had photographed it.

In a friendly conversation during dismissal time I asked one of my student (2nd grader) what he was going to do once they get home. He told me he was going to play with his computer. So then I asked him what he does on his computer. He told me he watches videoes on YOUTUBE.COM! I was pretty speechless.

It is amazing to see how much technology affects our daily lives! New Media is like a potion that consists of many digital ingredients we have to consume daily to stay alive. Here is just a funny cartoon I found of a kid asking his mother if he was downloaded.