I think Boyd is very clear in her definitions and differentiations between a social network site and a social networking site. She explained that networking is when you are trying to meet new people (in other words, your goal is to meet people with selected attributes or interests) and to simply network is making connections with others that are already part of you social circle. I think her message is clear. In our culture, the thought of kids utilizing sites to meet strangers is scary, and that is not the intent of a social network site.
After looking up “thin walled classroom” I found out that once again I didn’t know as much as I thought I did!! While I thought I was pretty technological savvy in my classroom, I found out that the idea of thin walled classrooms as been around longer than I’ve been teaching. This idea is one where classrooms are connected through the use of the Internet to work collaboratively. After reading several teachers own experiences with linking up with another classroom, I thought back to Tapped In, the virtual community where we all have created an office. After going through a few of the events hosted by Tapped In, I realize that I was making connections with people from all over the world. Most of us in this course could meet up at MSU if need be, but the idea of the thin walled classroom enables us to learn from anyone at anytime. It’s sort of like the idea of Pen Pals taken to a whole new level.
One example of this idea in action was presented to me in another textbook I’m reading for another course. In Timothy Newby’s Educational Technology for Teaching and Learning”, he describes on p. 25 a Spanish teacher’s use of this concept. His students were corresponding through e-mail to their pen pal in Barcelona, Spain. The students were writing about current events or other topics of interest back and forth. Because the Spanish students were working on learning English, their correspondence was in Spanish one month and English the next. Pretty cool, uh??
After reading Chapter 6 in Solomon, I am left with the question, “How does variation in culture effect technological adoption?” Throughout the reading I was reminded that the digital divide not only refers to access to computers, but this also refers to how different groups of people use technology. Prior to this course I was simply a taker of technology. I surfed the web for info until I found it. Now though, I contribute to what’s out there. I am using my voice to express my opinions, and I must admit, it feels pretty good. It’s sort of like a power rush. How awesome that would be to share with students! Students can have a voice through the use of the Internet and know that their voice has value. That is very empowering for students and literally gives me goosebumps to think about! Talk about motivation to write!
Going back to the question though, it seems as if certain demographic groups use technology for different reasons and maybe not at all. Is it because as the author mentioned that some cultures believe in the written word as being the truth? Is it because it is their culture to pass down information through oral language tradition? Or is it just simply an issue of access?
As I think about different cultures, each one has values and beliefs. These values and beliefs certainly impact their use of technology. As more culturally diverse applications and writings become available or known about, I think people may be more apt to use them. People use what they need or what can help them. For example, blogging is new to me. I did not have a blog nor ever read someone else’s until this course required me to do so. I now see blogging as a resource that can be used in my classroom. I plan on creating one for my students to use. So you see, until I saw a real use for it, I did not use it.
This chapter ends by discussing different ways Native Americans are using the web to give their culture a history. Again this is very empowering! As a teacher, I need to recognize the diverse backgrounds of my students and present content that touches on that diversity. I cannot expect students to connect to something that is irrelevant to them. Using sites that promote a rich culturally responsive curriculum will make that connection possible.
