Now and Then

I interviewed my dad regarding popular culture in his time period.  He grew up in Buffalo, New York.  He remembers as a child playing outside all day.  They played stick ball and everyone wanted to be involved.  No expensive toys nor equipment was necessary and everyone had fun.  Kids understood the concept of money and that sometimes even playing “kick the can” was fun even if you didn’t have to buy anything to play it. There was no parental supervision and everyone rode their bikes home after the street lights went on. 

In my time, you joined Little League and paid your fees and got the uniform, had snack days when it was your turn to bring drinks and snacks for the team.  You had practice a few times a week and games on the weekend.  You couldn’t ride your bike to practices, but your parents had to drive you.  Kids depended more on their parents to get them to practice or play a game than having the kids take responsibility.  Parents took more of a role in entertaining their kids.

My dad also remembers black and white television with no remote.  You were lucky to own a television.  You had basically three channels, if you were lucky.  There wasn’t always something on t.v  Sometimes the stations were “blank.”  You had to wait until the designated time for a show to be on.  Family time was important and even though watching tv was just that, watching tv – everyone sat down and enjoyed it together.

Nowadays, we own flat screen televisions and have every channel under the sun.  We get spoiled being able to watch whatever we want and tape it if we aren’t able to watch it when the show is actually on.  We usually have more than one tv in the house too.  So, no one has to be together to watch what shows they want to watch.

Eating dinner as a family was very important in my dad’s time.  You never missed a meal together.  Grace was said and everyone used their table manners.  No watching tv nor texting on telephones during his time.  You picked up your plate when you were done and everyone helped clean up afterwards.  This brought on responsibility and made everyone aware that they were a family unit.

In today’s society, both parents work and it is hard to find time to have a meal at home to sit together.  Now we think of where we are going out to eat and there is definitely no clean up afterwards.  The kids whip out their cell phones and text while we are awaiting our food and usually grace is not said out loud.  Social skills are suffering and communication isn’t like it used to be.

In my dad’s household growing up, his mom did not work.  His dad was the bread winner and his mom took care of the household duties.  When his dad came home, dinner was on the table and the paper was folded next to his chair for when he was done eating dinner.  No thoughts of his mom ever working.  It just wasn’t right at that time unless there was divorce or being a widow.

Both parents work now and there has to be a double income to survive in today’s society.  Usually both parents chip in with raising kids, cleaning house and doing laundry. Not many families have one income anymore and not many can survive without it.

Storytime was a big thing in my dad’s family.  Since they didn’t own a radio, they took turns reading at night before going to bed.  Usually the book was a classic and they would stop right when it got into a good part so that you would look forward to it the next night.  Everyone in the family would take a turn reading each night.  It was very bonding.

Having a book that records your voice and records a story is something of a new thing.  You press on a picture and make a noise and if you press another button, it reads to you.  Story time in this new age is not like it was when we were kids and our parents read us that bedtime story.   

It is interesting seeing the contrasting things from generation to generation.  With technology in our lifetime, it really changed things a lot.  Playing outside instead of video games inside, eating dinner as a family unit compared to always eating out.  There are many plus and minus with both generations.  It was definitely simpler back when my dad grew up.

News Sources

I read the Daily Courier newspaper every day if I have time.  Sometimes it is the next day when I have to play catch up.  This is how I obtain my information on what is going on in the world.  One article by Dateline explained how they “tested” children to see if they would get in cars with strangers, along with seeing if driving aged children texted while driving when they said they didn’t.  Of course all of our worst scenarios played out when all of these tests proved to be our worst nightmare.  Of course they all went with strangers when promised an ice cream cone.  Of course they went along with the crowd when others did things.  And the worst is that they did text while driving.

Facebook posted the same story.  The story line was the same with little differences.  The thing I liked with the Facebook page were the comments on what parents do to keep their children safe. I honestly liked the newspaper article a bit better since it said the facts.  Facebook seems to go off a bit on everyone's ideas.  The story line was the same, but everyone's opinions tainted it a bit.

Another site I found was "Super Mommy...Not." Interesting view on the news item.  The writer touched on what Dateline was coming across with, but then didn't give as much information as the newspaper article.  She went on to discuss steps in protecting your child and ways for them to say no. She didn't base her ideas off of the Dateline study as much as "stranger danger" concepts.

On "the stir" website, she spoke like she was telling the story to a friend.  Of course they discuss the scary circumstances of Dateline and why you really don't want to watch what you see because it is frightening.  But, they tell the story as if you are an imbecile and not an adult reading the story.  

I still chose to read the paper or even watch the news on television.  They get to the point without sugar coating it and dragging out the facts.  Even though the paper seems to avoid certain topics or cut stories short, I still like to read the old fashioned newspaper.

Mythbusters

Mythbusters is a science show that tries to solve myths and legends by using experimentation or any means possible to decipher the things that mystify people. 

The mission and goals of Mythbusters is to test the elements of the scientific method to test the validity of rumors, myths, movie scenes, adages, Internet videos, and news stories.

They basically investigate anything people are curious about.  This could be about beating a  lie detector test to seeing if a dirty car is more fuel efficient than a clean one. They then proceed to experiment by mixing methods or ingenuity to solve the issues. 

As for the critical thinking of this organization, there is a group of males and females who bounce ideas back and forth.  Some are thought out and some are so bizarre that you can’t believe them.  The experiments that are performed are very thought out and critical thinking is definitely put into play.  One example I will use is are elephants afraid of mice or is it just a myth.  The two who explored this theory put mice in holes in the ground and covered them with elephant dung.  When the elephants came close to the area, they pulled the dung off of the holes and revealed the mice.  Much to everyone’s surprise, the elephants stopped in their tracks.  They then thought maybe it was the dung being swung around that surprised the elephants, but it was the mice.  So, they agreed with the myth that elephants were startled by mice.

Since this is a television show on the Discovery Channel, these episodes involve the audience in a way that intrigues them.  Something new is always being shown along with new ways to present them.  The questions being submitted via email or letters to the show, does not affect what questions are being asked.  The public have always been curious on certain things that they hear about but are unsure if they are true or just wives’ tales.  We are lucky through popular culture that we can watch these types of shows.  I am sure, by looking at the website of this popular television show, that there is a huge following.  Nothing is being compromised because it is a huge audience.  Maybe the time allowed for the show cuts out certain things, but all movies and so forth do the same. 

Each problem is tackled differently, just as experimentation in science projects are done differently.  Of course there is always a topic and then a hypothesis and experimentation.  Each episode has a different theme and varies from show to show.  Most are simulations where they are in the same type of atmosphere that the myth pertains to.  For example, will playing dead help you survive a shark attack?  Two of the team actually thrashed around and tried to simulate this type of scenario.  One also was quiet and didn’t thrash around.  The theory played out that playing dead does boost your chances of surviving a shark attack.  

Critical thinking is hand in hand with this show because the Mythbuster people have to really think of how they are going to test these myths and theories.  Critical thinking is done by thinking out how the experiment is going to be done, where it going to be done, will this work?  It is an interesting show.  I honestly have not watched it on television, but watched episodes online while having to write this blog.  I never realized the amount of thought that goes into each episode.

Hunger Games

In the book the Hunger Games, It was entertaining to read because it was kind of like the apocalypse.  Since so many people think it is coming this December, it was an interesting read.  Only the first book was made into a movie so far.  The similarities and the differences were very evident. 

The story line was the same in both genres.  It represented districts that had to pay their respects to society by the Capitol selecting two names out of a bowl to fight to the death between other districts. The movie and the book both portrayed this similarity.  In your mind, the characters looked different in the book than when you actually watched the movie.   Both the book and the movie had the emotional factor going and it played on your heart strings. 

In the book, one of the significant differences was when the mayor’s daughter gave Katniss the mockingbird pin.  They were friends and this was a very important element in the book.  In the movie, Katniss’s sister gave the pin to her and it lost a bit of its representation.  Originally, Katniss purchased the pin in the movie and gave it to her sister to keep her safe during the choosing of the boy and girl in the district. Then the sister gave it to Katniss when she volunteered to go to the Hunger Games in her stead.   This little bit of information was small, but it played a big role in the book.  The mayor was the figure head and so the mayor’s daughter giving it away was more of a strong point in the plot. 

Another difference was when Rue was being sung the lullaby in the book.  In the movie, this was omitted.  The book really played on this since Katniss reminisced about her father, who passed away in the coal mines. Songs were sung to her when she was young.  It seems that in the movie, maybe because of a time factor, this was omitted.  It did lose some of its value not being in the move.  Rue was a comrade of Katniss and this was an emotional part of the book.

Both the book and the movie shared the same storyline.  The story did not alter from the main ideas.  The themes were the same along with how society was and how the people interacted. 

The reasoning behind the film producers changing certain things in the movie could be that the writers of the movie thought that certain things had to be deleted or changed a bit to spice up the movie.  No real ideas on why it would be changed.  Maybe the writer of the book sold her book to them but thought that not all could be made into a movie.  Another thought could be the time factor of the movie.  If everything played out exactly the same as the book, the movie would be 5 hours long!!!

Lovemark

My devotion is to McDonalds.  It is comfort food and whenever you are down or want a pick me up, McDonalds always comes to mind.  The values are just that…value, family connection and fun.  As a child, you were excited to go to McDonalds.  It was a treat – a reward.  McDonalds is society today.  Everyone goes there. This includes the rich or the poor.  McDonalds doesn’t label you.  McDonalds gives you that connection and it will always be there for you.  It is kind of an emotional tie.  It reminds you of your childhood, but you are never too old to go there.  It also serves the community with Ronald McDonald houses and gives back. 

McDonalds is everywhere.  The colors of the building along with the Ronald McDonald logo makes you want to go there.  When you hear the jingle and see that big M, you crave the fries or want a big mac.  Of course after eating this fast food, your tummy may not always be as happy as your emotional being.  But, you do feel warm and fuzzy when you see this childhood memory of a place. 

McDonalds also feels like home.  They are always making new and better things - Child playgrounds, more modern décor.  The young and old always don’t mind going there instead of another fast food restaurant.  Plus you can always count on them being open…even on holidays!!!  It is such a unique place and other countries even have them.  Since Americans travel abroad, they know these McDonalds give a sense of home and familiarity. 

And, everyone always knows the consistency of the food.  The cheeseburger didn’t change from when I was a kid.  The price is always right and you always feel like you saved money after you left there.  Plus you always feel happy when you go there.  You always saw the commercials on television growing up and it was something you always looked forward to

. 

I remember as a child, going there and eating chicken mcnuggets.  I did the same with my kids.  Jumping in the balls and enjoying the day there was a great past time.   Every time we go there, we have a positive experience.  Of course, the only thing different is that I may chose a different type of food there than the big burgers or deep fried chicken.  Now I go for the salads or parfaits.  Still a comfort food and still that emotional tie with McDonalds.  My kids still go for the favorites…the nuggets or double cheeseburgers.  Going to McDonalds is the American way.  I think McDonalds is my lovemark because it reminds me of my childhood, which was a happy one.  No one wants to grow up and going to McDonalds brings you back to your childhood years in a way.  It definitely was a treat back then.  It wasn’t like today when you can eat there every day if you want to.  Back in the days, money was scarce and when your parents said that we were going to McDonalds, you couldn’t wait to leave to get there.  

The Digital Divide

Learning to think in a digital world

This reading is was quite interesting.  It tells of how the youths of society used to read constantly and that was their choice for “learning.”  Now with the technology here in society and with computers and every other source, reading is taking a back seat.  More and more youths are using their “Googled universes” instead of the written word.  Socrates believed in examining life instead of examining words.  Children are absorbing more from the internet than searching for information on their own in thoughts or reading.  We are wondering if society will alter because of his.  This article basically says that children need to read before taking in the digital mode.  If this doesn’t happen, intellect could be altered and the next generation may not possess the comprehensive learning that past generations have had.  I believe that this is very supportive.  Using all of the brain is important.  Reading uses all parts of the brain where the digital mode uses only part.    

The Internet

Television was such an invention until the internet came about.  Everyone had to learn this new computer language to access things on the internet.  Television made you zone out compared to the internet, where you have to engage in what you are doing to make it work.  Emails and blogging usage has risen within the past two years.  Eight million people have online diaries or weblog.  People now use the internet to talk about their own personal lives.  The internet is a source of information compared to the television.  Television was the main medium to find out things going on in life.  The internet is gaining momentum and surpassing the television on getting information out there.  The internet is the first place people go to to find out things.  Software games, chatting, all of these things can be done right on your computer.  But, all things have a price Social connections are becoming less and less because you withdrawal from the public eye since you are always on the computer.  You can still connect to others but social skills are lacking.  This is definitely something that is a concern and I believe in the fact that the internet is a wonderful tool, but that that the next generation will not have the social skills to interact face to face with others.

Learning theory video games, and popular culture

The mind is like a blank slate.  It stores things mentally and allows us to “think outside of the box.”  Video games are like simulated actions and our brain uses these experiences like a tool.  It is cognitive science.  With imagining things, humans understand things better.  You want things to make sense, so you use simulations of other activities to make you understand things.  Video games are visual and a player has to manipulate things in the game.  These manipulations form experiences that the user can use in his or her own lives.  They say that the mind works like a video game.  I really do not agree with this totally.  I think the hand eye coordination is great with video games.  The reality is that there isn’t any reality to the game.  Many compare these games to real life and are obsessed with video games.  I feel that real life is just that…real life.  Make believe does not pay the bills and “killing” other team mates or planning certain paths in a game is destructive to society.

Usability of websites for teenagers.Teens use the internet constantly.  They use it for school resources, health issues that they are embarrassed to talk about and even checking out sports.  Studies were done on teens to see what sites were used and what the internet was used for.  Many think that teens are pros at using the internet.  This is wrong.  Due to the lack of reading skills, research strategies and patience levels, teens are not as adept at using the web as we think.  Teens go for cool looking graphics that catch their eye and they do not like to read a lot on the internet sites.  Studies show they do not like small font sizes, which goes hand in hand with seniors not liking the small font size either.  Teens did like games online or online quizzes.  Those interactive features gave teenagers their way of expressing themselves.  The study that was done on teens showed that they spend five to ten hours per week on the web.  After reading this article, it was no surprise to me that teens felt the way they did with this research done on them.  Very common sense in that they do not like to read and that they would rather do things online than have to write things out or take quizzes in person on a piece of paper.  

My Tweeps :)

The two people I am following are interesting people concerning education.  Since I am wanting to change careers, these two people have some insight on the educational field.  One is on elementary education and the other is on middle school.  You can never have too much information when it comes to learning everything you can to make yourself a better person/teacher.  There is so much information out there. Jane E Marko has much information to share on lesson plans and any other type of things she wants to share. She has so much knowledge on primary and secondary education.  She loves to inspire fellow teachers with knowledge on conferences and articles that will expand your thoughts on teaching.

 Teacher Sabrina is more about rights and what is happening out there in the educational field.  She is an advocate for teachers, kids and communities.  She feels that teacher's are role models.  She is for social justice in public education.  One of the books she recommends is Education and Capitalism, Struggles for Learning and Liberation.

 Both have lots to share with the public.  I probably could have picked ten more people to follow, but these two stood out a bit more than the others.  Jane E. Marko has FB entries which tell you steps in how to become a great teacher.  I think even if you do not want to go into this field, these two have some great tips in understanding the public.  You can learn that for any field that you are going into.

With my wanting to change careers in my life, role models are very important to have in my life. Both of these figures have different takes on the education field.  Jane is one for using creativity and inspiration to obtain your goals.  I think that Sabrina Stevens feels the same way, but she is more about rights and what we want society to support for us in public schools.  It is all about rights and what we need to have our children succeed.  Schools are changing so rapidly with rules and regulations, it is hard to keep them straight.  These two figure heads help with their ideas.  Sabrina is constantly tweeting her ideas along with websites to check out.  So much information out there to stay on top of, but Sabrina follows it to the best of her ability.

Jane, on the other hand, finds conferences that enable you to better yourself and your classroom.  She is more on learning more so that you can give that information to your classroom.  She is an education consultant.

With just these two to follow, so much information is put out there that it is hard to stay on top of it all.  I would love to meet both of these people to pick their brains on how they got into the education field and how they got to the point in their lives to help others like myself.