Hanging Out
The person
that I choose to interview does not interact socially using a social networking
site yet, she is only eight. So, the social interaction that she had was
through the games that she played with her friends and family using the Wii. I feel that this still counts as technology
social interaction. She acted as an avatar and interacted with peers. The only
social interaction she had as far as the computer is concerned is sending
pictures and letters to her friends through email. I’m sure in these two
senses, using the Wii, and sending letters and pictures she feels connected to
others in some way.
• What is
your favorite thing to do on the computer?
Send my
friends pictures and letters that I write.
• What is your favorite
game? Why?
My
favorite game is Mario on the Wii, because it is fun and you can race against
another player.
Messing Around
She mentioned
that she enjoyed playing games both on the computer and using the Wii. I have
personally watched her playing her games, and she did not ever read any instruction
manuals or ask an adult how to play, she just taught herself through trial and
error. I feel that this reinforces a hands-on learning approach in which she
learns through doing.
Geeking Out
Unfortunately, I do not think
that she has developed any high-specialized skills as a result of her
technology use other than basic typing skills, and gaming skills that most
children have. I am sure once she grows older and continues to interact with
technology this will change and she may develop specific interests and require
specific skills. Although, I guess it depends on your perspective, as to
whether the skills she possesses are “highly specialized”. From the viewpoint
of our “Nan”, grandma, she may think that “Niah” is technologically advanced.
Nan doesn’t use the computer at all, or any video games.
• What is your favorite
game? Why?
My
favorite game is Mario on the Wii, because it is fun and you can race against
another player.
Schooling
“Niah” is just learning correct
literacy practices being only eight, so no she doesn’t really talk about the
differences in lingo. I am sure that the letters that she writes do have some
creative spellings though. She does prefer to be on the computer or play an
interactive game than read a book, I have never seen her read an age
appropriate book, and her brother is the reader. At this time she does not
conduct research for school purposes.
• What is
your favorite thing to do on the computer?
Send my
friends pictures and letters that I write.
How did you learn to do that?
My mom
taught me.
Quotes:
“One technological determinist view represents contemporary children as
increasingly ‘active’ and ‘worldly’ because there are not technologies that
enable and encourage this.”- Victoria Carrington
“ We therefore see digital literacy as a set of social practices that are
interwoven with contemporary ‘ways of being’.”- Julia Davies and Guy Merchant
“ The educational value of game-playing comes not from the game itself,
but from the creative coupling of educational media with effective pedagogy to
engage students in meaningful practices.” – Squires
Carrington, Victoria & Robinson, Muriel. Digital Literacies: Social
Learning and Classroom Practices. London: SAGE, 2009
Your young person sounds much like mine, even though there are many years between them. Though mine uses social media a lot, she also doesn't use the computer often and doesn't have anything of what could be considered a specialized skill. I think you've chosen some excellent quotes to use, as well. I especially like the last quote you wrote down by Squires. I think it goes very well with your young person since she enjoys playing games so much.
ReplyDeleteThe child that I interviewed was only 11, so I felt like our interviews had a lot in common. It is interesting to see that the younger kids are so interested in video games which would be something that they probably see in elementary school or early in middle school. There are so many games online that incorporate interactive learning that we can use with younger students.
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