Wednesday, November 5, 2008

The article on the gender differences in social portraits reflected in my space profile was interesting. It provided a lot of significant statistics that describe the social tools of cyberspace. My space provides a place for people to socialize with others. It is obvious that women mention having a significant other well more than males appear to do on their social profiles. The need for women to mention their mates is obviously clear with the statistics that were gathered and compared. You would think that we as women were passed the need for apparent reassurance or need to be defined by our relationships.

The article included a lot of statistics but it was a lot of data to take in. The most distinctive gender differences were the number of times the significant other was mentioned in the “About Me” section and how many times they were mentioned in the “Interests” sections. Males were less apt to mention their significant other in the “About Me” section than women. I believe that because my space is such a social chat room that males tend not to mention their significant other as much due to attempting to meet other women through my space.

I do feel that a women’s career, family and personal relationships are all connected due to the continuous juggling of all aspects of her life unlike majority of men whom separate work and family. It’s hard to retain one sense of self or individuality when everything is dependent on you in order to keep going. How can you separate or disconnect yourself from your current juggling act? If they have more statistics regarding that information please let me know.

The study did state that some of the statistics were based on a young group of men and women. Majority of men at that age don’t have the responsibility of an older settled male which includes over the age of 30. Some more extensive studies that include older males as well as younger might reveal different results especially being able to separate work , family and personal relationships. Even though, the majority of individuals on my space are a younger group of people generally under 30.
It is also a stigmatism for women to not have someone in their life. The idea of falling in love and being in a relationship is what you are supposed to do. So you are conditioned to make that as much a priority as any other aspect of your life or there is considered something wrong with you. Men on the other hand consider that as something that you do compared to being a part of who you are. The statistics was insightful and I would like to see further studies in this area because I have quite a few statistics gathered on my own in this area of comparing male tendencies and female tendencies. I also have more conclusions as to why women mention their significant others more than men do for a variety of reasons

Monday, October 13, 2008

Activity 3

Vaidhyanathan right or wrong? When he writes that young people engage with digital technologies, “not because they are powerful (which, of course, they are not)”—that these things are basically frivolous—does he undermine the premise that ‘digital natives’ are worthy of study at all?
First, within the Generational Myth article, Jeff Gomez, author of Print Is Dead: Books in Our Digital Age defines the generation of ‘Digital Natives’ as “kids who have grown up with the Internet, and are accustomed to the entire world being only a mouse click away”. Gomez also goes further to state that the traditional forms of print media is not creating a solution to this digital epidemic. Gomez believes that the renaissance of the ‘Digital Natives’ “are going unanswered by the traditional print media like books, magazines, and newspapers. Gomez also states that “for this generation—which Google rather than going to a library—print seems expensive, a bore, and a waste of time”.
Additionally, Vaidhyanathan is not completely true in his statements when he expresses why young people who engage with the digital technologies are not worthy research material. Digital technologies have become a means to convenient communications that require little to no thought process whatsoever. It is important to decipher what pulls the ‘Digital Natives’ to the internet as a source of research and communications than that of your local library and human-to-human interaction.
Gassar’s Born Digital: Understanding the First Generation of Digital Natives, “argues that kids today are fundamentally different from the rest of us because their default modes of interaction involve mixing and mashing digital files and exposing (and rewriting) themselves through online profiles and avatars”. With this valuable information and insight, we know that the ‘Digital Natives’ are do not merely embrace digital technologies because it is frivolous and basic in nature. The ‘Digital Natives’ that utilize social sites such as Facebook or Myspace, While Generation X may consider the internet and such sites of little importance, this can be refuted. Such sites can be used as a dynamic tool of networking and marketing. If the ‘Digital Natives’ believed the Internet and other forms of digital technologies were frivolous, would Google exist? Sergey Brin and Larry Page, both 32, are part of this group referred to as ‘Digital Natives’. So, when is said that sources of digital technology is not powerful and frivolous, those opinions may need to be revisited and discussed further. Google was introduced as a digital technology nearly seven years ago with Brin and Page were only 25 years of age. If digital technology was not powerful and frivolous in nature, how could the this digital technology tool become global in such a short span of time? Google has single handed changed the world of global commerce, trade, and communications as we now know it. How could Google, as well as Facebook and Myspace become so popular and widely used on a global scale?
Furthermore, Mark Bauerlin, an English professor at Emory University has voiced his concern of the digital age and the impact it has on young people. In his composition, The Dumbest Generation: How the Digital Age Stupefies Young Americans and Jeopardizes our Future, Bauerlin states “well if there is one way to ensure that young people do not read more books than necessary, it is to call them dumb in a title of a book”. Bauerlin is absolutely correct in this statement. Instead of focusing and criticizing the ‘Digital Natives” and how digital technology is impeding their intelligence, we should focus on what gravitates the “Digital Natives’ to digital technology instead of print media. We must accept that digital technology is a permanent part of our society and research how various forms of digital technology can be used greater as an educational tool. The ‘Digital Natives’ are definitely worthy of study to determine what digital technology has that more traditional forms of technology such as print lack.
Likewise, Emile Durkheim also embraces the notion of not labeling a group of people who are innate to uses one form of digital technology as opposed to more traditional technologies.
We should drop our simplistic attachments to generations so we can generate an accurate and subtle account of the needs of young people—and all people, for that matter. A more responsible assessment would divorce itself from a pro- or anti-technology agenda and look at multiple causes for problems we note: state malfeasance or benign neglect of education, rampant consumerism in our culture, moral panics that lead us to scapegoat technology, and yes, technology itself. Such work would reflect the fact that technologies do not emerge in a vacuum. They are subject to market forces, political ideologies, and policy incentives. More important, such work would use young people as a fodder for attacking wider social problems.
In conclusion, Emile Durkheim also believes that it is important not label a group of people based upon their technology preference. Instead, it would be more valuable to create research that would perhaps give an accurate assessment of why one group may prefer to utilize certain technology devices n their daily lives. We should research these trends and then transcend them into more important socio schemes. While Vaidhyanathan feels strongly about the Generational Myth, the digital technology ages is here and will not make and exit in the near future. We should respect this tool, and look for ways to modify it to better meet the needs of society.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Quality Childcare a must







The value of good child care cannot be understated, yet far too many children continue to be denied quality care. Many children spend their formative years in settings that are unsafe or only custodial. Parents are being lured into accepting listings of caregivers from various caregiver groups without the support and information they need to properly access a provider or facility. Still others simply choose the first caregiver or facility they come across based on price and convenience.
High Quality Child Care encourages healthy social, emotional, cognitive and physical development in the young child. Working parents are more stable and productive employees when their children are in quality environment. Choosing a good child care arrangement is an important decision that can improve the daily lives of children and parents.
There are many different types of care and many different ideas about the ideal environment for children. No matter what type of care you are looking for, there are some basic things to look for when judging the quality of care. I went to many different childcare setting, center, group and family homes. Some was wonderful and other I would not let a dog go there.
We as parents should Advocate for the children, requiring that all childcare centers, group and family homes meet a certain standard. Even though licensing come out to inspect they don’t continue to check on the center, famiy and group homes.
The safety of the child is a prime concern of both parents and providers. Equipment, both indoors and outdoors, should be safe and suitable to children’s ages. Hazardous items should be stored away from children.
The layout of space affects children’s behavior. Physical space should be organized so children know where things are and how they can be found. Large individual spaces can lead to loud and aggressive behavior, so space should be divided into areas where children can work and play together. Children need small, quiet places when they need to have some time to themselves.
Caregivers need to be trained in Child Development or Early Childhood Education. Those who are or who have experience with children generally do a better job than those who do not. Trained providers understand how children grow and learn and they know how to provide the materials and activities that are most appropriate to the ages and interests of the children.
Generally the child care quality is higher as the group size gets smaller. The fewer children in a group, the more attention each child will get from the caregiver.
The parent’s relationship with the child’s caregiver is the key to good quality. It is essential to have open communication allowing you to express your feelings and views. In turn, your caregiver should be available to listen and provide valuable support when you need it. You should always feel welcome to visit at any time while your child is in care and feel open to discuss problems or concerns.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Visual Advocacy Proposal

Visual Advocacy Proposal

Quality child care abounds in most communities: the key is knowing where to look and what to look for. An important first step is determining what type of child care is right for your family. Quality child care options can include day care, in-home child care, nannies, au pairs, pre-school, and even the parent as the provider. Here are quality options and things to consider before making that ever-important decision as to who will provide that quality child care for your loved one!
For my project, I plan to visited different childcare faultily, to show the different in each one. This way I can show what a quality childcare look like. I also plan to show what an negative childcare look like. Desiring quality child care is a given. But determining what type of child care provider who meets your family's needs, lifestyle, budget, and even area where you live takes some research and discussion.

I plan on taking pictures and using them in a slide show. I have never used this before, I know I will have some problems, but I will get through them with a little help.