SlideShare ist ein Scribd-Unternehmen logo
1 von 4
Downloaden Sie, um offline zu lesen
Participatory Culture and Schools:
            Can We Get There From Here?
           Digital media and Web 2.0 offer an opportunity to bridge the two-culture gap
                         between online youth and largely offline schools.


                     BY JAMES BOSCO




      I
       IN 1959, THE BRITISH SCIENTIST AND NOVELIST C.P. SNOW WROTE ABOUT THE TWO CULTURES PROB-
       lem (sciences vs. humanities) of modern society. We could steal his term and use it to characterize
       the two-culture problem our kids experience as a consequence of the dramatic proliferation of Web
       2.0 applications. Applications such as social networking, blogs, recreational and educational col-
       laborative games, and publishing of videos, pictures, stories, and commentaries have a pervasive
       presence in their personal lives and the lives of their friends. But the presence and effective use of
       these applications for learning in schools is much less prevalent. Thus, young people experience
       the two-culture problem as they move between in-school culture and out-of-school culture.
           The gap between the world inside of schools and outside of       Culture: Media Education for the 21st Century,” MIT
       schools was brought home to me in a conversation with a col-         humanities professor Henry Jenkins uses the term participa-
       league while I was writing this article. She has a relative who is   tory culture to characterize the way in which the Web (along
       a school administrator, and she told me about an incident that       with other influences) has changed the answers to the above
       had occurred recently in his district. One of the male admin-        questions. Participatory culture is characterized by member-
       istrators was accused of sending a female high school student        ship in online groups with few or no entry barriers, the
       an inappropriate text message. My colleague’s relative told her      creation of intellectual or artistic products by non-credentialed
       that, even if the message was not objectionable, it was wrong        individuals or groups, collaborative problem solving, the
       for a teacher or administrator to text a student since this is how   ability to form or join general or specialized social networks,
       kids communicate. The anecdote illustrates a perspective held        and the capability to disseminate artistic and intellectual
       by an appreciable number of school personnel: media that is          products easily and effectively. In essence, participatory cul-
       used extensively by young people does not belong in schools.         ture shifts us from a situation with a small number of pro-
       Those technologies are their things!                                 ducers of information and knowledge to a new realm in which
                                                                            many of those who previously would be consumers are now
       At a Crossroads                                                      also producers.
       The Internet, and particularly Web 2.0, has resulted in new              Participatory culture in schools would mean that students
       questions that get to the heart of how human culture is cre-         are expected to be actively engaged contributors to the intel-
       ated and maintained: Who has access to the existing infor-           lectual and artistic content of their schooling rather than just
       mation or knowledge? Is information valid if non-experts             passive receivers of a curriculum. Isn’t it reasonable to expect
       produce it? From whom or what do we learn? How do we find            that schools, as critical agencies for the transference of culture
       people with whom we wish to share information and culti-             to each succeeding generation, should be compatible with the
       vate friendships?                                                    world of information, knowledge, communications, and col-
          In the report “Confronting the Challenges of Participatory        laboration as it exists today?


•   12 •   Spring 2009              Threshold                                                       www.ciconline.org/threshold
law. The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) of 2003 re-
   The Starting Point                                                     quires schools to filter or block access to inappropriate mate-
   The starting point for a discussion about Web 2.0 in schools rials on the district network and to adopt a policy that addresses
   is the recognition that the use of Web 2.0 is taken for granted the safety and security of minors using e-mail, chat rooms, and
   in the lives of our youth. A Pew Internet & American Life sur- other forms of electronic communications. Failure to do so
   vey that collected data in the last quarter of 2006 found that disqualifies the district for discounts on computer hardware pro-
   93 percent of teens use the Internet and that a substantial vided by the federal E-Rate Program. More recently, the Broad-
   percentage use the Internet for social interaction. Fifty-five band Data Improvement Act signed by President George W. Bush
   percent of American youths (ages 12 to 17) use social networking, in 2008 includes specific provisions regarding Internet safety ed-
   28 percent maintain blogs, and 39 percent use the Internet to ucation in schools. And in 2006, Virginia became the first state
   share artistic creations.                                                                               to mandate teaching of Internet
       A study commissioned by
   the National School Boards
                                         Isn’t it reasonable to expect that schools safety in all itsrequires districts
                                                                                                               CIPA also
                                                                                                                            schools.

   Association found even higher             should be compatible with the world                           to educate minors about inap-
   percentages of Web 2.0 usage.                                                                           propriate behavior on social-
   This study collected data in
                                                     of information, knowledge,                            networking sites. Since the law
   Spring 2007 and reported that             communications, and collaboration?                            has little specificity about what
   96 percent of 9- to 17-year-                                                                            educating children with regard
   olds with online access use social-networking sites such as Face- to inappropriate behavior means, the effect of this requirement
   book, MySpace, or KinzChat. There is little doubt that the num- seems inconsequential. School districts that have established pro-
   bers from 2009 would show a comparable increase.                       grams to educate kids on appropriate Internet behavior do so
       More recently, Mizuko Ito and her colleagues at the because they recognize they can provide a valuable service for
   University of Southern California and the University of Cali- students that goes beyond the minimum compliance rules of
   fornia at Berkeley have provided the most detailed picture of a vague federal mandate.
   the use of Web 2.0 as a result of conducting hundreds of in-               Most schools require students and/or parents to sign an
   terviews, more than 5,000 hours of observations, and numer- acceptable-use policy that stipulates appropriate and inappro-
   ous other data-collection procedures over the past two years. The priate use of the school network. Some schools now include
   opening words of their report put their basic finding succinctly: specific language pertaining to Web 2.0 in their acceptable-use
                                                                          policy; others districts deal with Web 2.0 in their policy’s
        Social network sites, online games, video-sharing sites,          generic language. A signature on an acceptable-use policy could
        and gadgets such as iPods and mobile phones are now               be construed as the way the district complies with the provi-
        fixtures of youth culture. They have so permeated                 sion to educate students, but that stretches the term educate
        young lives that it is hard to believe that less than a decade    well past the breaking point.
        ago these technologies barely existed.                                Another dimension of protection involves safeguarding
                                                                          instructional time from interference. Teachers do not want
       While some of today’s Web 2.0 applications will be super- students to be text messaging a friend about a party on the week-
   seded by new ones over time, there is no reason to expect that end, revising their Facebook profile, or checking out a Twitter
   the use of the Internet to develop relationships, collaborate, share tweet during class time. Many schools ban handheld electronic
   information, produce media, and play games with others will devices for this reason. In April 2008, the New York state ap-
   become passé. Far from being a kid thing, Web 2.0 applica- peals court upheld the banning of cell phones in New York City
   tions already play an increasing role in business, the arts and public schools. And New York is not alone; many other schools
   sciences, government, civic affairs, informal education, and ban cell phones.
   recreation. Today’s students will not put these resources behind           The second theme in how schools are dealing with Web 2.0
   them when they become adults.                                          is the “preserve theme.” This involves integrating Web 2.0 ap-
                                                                          plications with the curriculum and pedagogy. If the goal is to
   Protect - Preserve - Progress                                          get teachers to use technology, then a good tactic for selling it
   Three themes describe the way schools are contending with Web to school administrators is to show how the technology can be
   2.0. The first is the “protect theme.” This orientation stems from used without disturbing the existing program. Those who
   concern over how to protect children from the deleterious support this perspective do so either because they believe the
   consequences of the Web, such as sexual predators, inappro- curriculum is generally adequate and can handle new teaching
   priate content, and cyberbullies. Bad things can happen to techniques or because they believe the digital applications will
   kids as a result of Internet use, so it is not unreasonable for school spark needed evolutionary changes to the status quo. The ex-
   personnel, when they are operating in loco parentis, to recog- perience with computers in the schools over the past three
   nize a need to protect kids.                                           decades does not encourage optimism that such an evolution
       However, the major impetus for protecting kids in schools will occur unless there are explicit actions to generate the more
   from inappropriate content on the Internet is federal and state substantial change.


A Cable in the Classroom Publication                                                         Threshold            Spring 2009             •   13 •
The third theme involving Web 2.0 is the “progress theme,”         computer that is connected, and that might be a computer
       or the discontinuous-change or disruptive-technology point of          on the principal’s desk. Second, connectivity tells us little
       view that has received lots of attention following last year’s pub-    about functional capability. A 2008 report by the State Ed-
       lication of the book Disrupting Class. This orientation does not       ucational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) in-
       derive from a sense that schools recently have become worse,           dicated that most schools are connected at T1 speeds (1.54
       but rather that schools need to change in order to become              Mbps), while the average household has broadband con-
       compatible with a changed world. Disruptive change represents          nection at or exceeding 5 Mbps. There are relatively few school
       a break with the way an organization structures policies, prac-        districts in the U.S. that have adequate broadband connec-
       tices, roles, and rules. Rather than moving further and faster         tivity to enable a full measure of access to Web 2.0 resources.
       along an existing path, disruptive change puts the organization      • Hardware. As of the 2005–06 school year, there were 14.2
       on a new path and transforms it.                                       million computers in U.S. schools (a 1:4 student-to-computer
           Jenkins has identified the core media-literacy skills that         ratio). Once again, the statistics make the situation look bet-
       young people need to acquire (see page 9). While students              ter than it is. The data on hardware in schools is self-reported
       may acquire some of these skills outside of school, it would be        and may take into account every computer in the school—
       unfortunate if schools opt out of cultivating the very skills          whether they are working or accessible to students. Apart from
       their students need to succeed in today’s global society. It is only   schools that have a one-to-one student computer program,
       when the new skills our                                                                                       schools where access to
       young people require are in-                                                                                  hardware is a constrain-
       tegrated into an environment
                                            Rather than fight a losing battle to abolish ing factor represent the
       that embodies the nature and filtering, it is more useful to devise reasonable overwhelming majority.
       spirit of participation that
       these skills can be adequately
                                            policies to enable teachers and students to • Filtering. Were filtering   to go away as a federal
       cultivated. Attempts to graft              use the Internet for good purposes.                                mandate, it is likely that
       them onto conventional                                                                                        many schools would keep
       schooling, however, can only result in a rather distant approx-        a filter program on their servers. Districts have latitude in how
       imation of what our kids need from their schools.                      they implement Web filtering and how they handle problems
           The three themes outlined above are not mutually exclusive.        that occur when the server blocks a website that ought not
       For the most part, school personnel manifest some degree of all        be blocked. Thus, school districts vary considerably in how
       of these themes in their work. Generally speaking, all teachers        much of a problem filtering presents to teachers who make
       see a need for students to be protected—or even better, to be able     abundant use of the Internet. Rather than fight a losing bat-
       to protect themselves—from the pernicious aspects of the Web.          tle to abolish filtering, it is more useful to help schools devise
       Many teachers are making use of the Web—some in ways that              reasonable policies and procedures for filtering to enable
       are oriented to a preservationist approach and others that are more    teachers and students to use the Internet for good purposes.
       oriented to a transformative perspective. Either way, the task of    • Mobile Devices. Many schools restrict students from using
       taking advantage of Web 2.0 in schools raises thorny problems.         their cell phones. First is the concern that cell phones will
                                                                              be used to call friends, to surf websites, or for other distractions
       What Stands in Our Way?                                                from learning. Second is the concern about accessing pornog-
       I am the principal investigator of a John D. and Catherine T.          raphy or other bad sites, since the student’s cell phone is not
       MacArthur Foundation project at the Consortium for School              subject to the district Internet filter. If we really seek to
       Networking (CoSN) called Schools and Participatory Culture:            bridge the two-culture gap, it seems reasonable to explore
       Overcoming Organizational and Policy Barriers. The goal is to          how the use of students’ own connective appliances could
       get a deeper understanding of the perspectives and practices of        be made safe and sane for their in-school learning.
       school administrators as a basis for providing support for school    • Parental/Citizen Concerns. Any effort to reconcile the
       districts in their efforts to deal with the problems and seize the     world inside schools with the world outside of schools needs
       opportunities that new media brings to us. We expect to be work-       to be cognizant of the critical role of parents and the pub-
       ing with MacArthur grantees whose work is relevant to schools,         lic. The viewpoints of parents and citizens about what they
       other educational organizations, and school districts in imple-        expect to happen with regard to formal education are cen-
       menting a plan of action to help schools make better use of dig-       tral to any effort to foster institutional change. To the de-
       ital media resources. The following list is illustrative of the        gree that what happens in schools is perceived by parents
       issues we face as we work to bridge the two-culture problem.           and citizens to be inappropriate, the capability of school lead-
         • Networking. At first glance, the connectivity statistics look       ers to make use of Web 2.0 resources is constrained.
           quite good. The U.S. Department of Education reports                   Common Sense Media and the Joan Ganz Cooney Cen-
           that, as of 2003, 85 percent of schools were connected to          ter recently collaborated on a parents’ opinion survey on the
           the Internet with broadband. But there are two things that         role of digital media in the lives of their children. Eighty-
           make the reality a lot less impressive than it sounds. First,      three percent of parents said that knowing how to use
           a school is considered “connected” if there is at least one        digital media was as important to their children as learning


•   14 •   Spring 2009              Threshold                                                          www.ciconline.org/threshold
traditional skills. But parents expressed skepticism about the     U.S. We are most likely to see considerable variation district
      value of many digital-media platforms, particularly when           by district in their willingness to take on the problems and in
      it came to whether digital media could teach kids how to           their degrees of success.
      communicate and collaborate, skills that are essential in a            As we move forward, it is important to keep in mind that,
      21st-century workforce. Sixty-seven percent of parents said        while the effort to make good use of digital media and Web
      they did not think the Web helped teach their kids how to          2.0 in our schools brings with it many problems, digital media
      communicate, and 87 percent said they did not believe the          is not a problem. It is an opportunity. The family of projects
      Web helped their kids learn how to work with others.               being sponsored by the MacArthur Digital Media and Learn-
          The survey makes clear that there is considerable cogni-       ing program, as well as similar work occurring around the
      tive dissonance among parents with regard to digital media.        world, demonstrates the incredible opportunities we have to
      They understand conceptually the value of these resources          provide valuable learning experiences for our youth both in
      but are uneasy about their actual use. Any effort to expand        school and out of school. Thus, we face the challenges not with
      the use of digital media needs to reach out to parents and         a sense of burden but with a sense of privilege to be able to bring
      citizens to explain and demonstrate the use and value of dig-      these learning resources to our kids. •••
      ital media in the school program.
    • Organizational/Professional Development. There is a                James Bosco is a professor emeritus in the department of educational
      need for more and better professional development for              studies at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Mich. He
      teachers pertaining to the use of computers, the Internet,         is the principal investigator for a MacArthur Foundation project
      and Web 2.0. Yet there is no reason to expect that teachers        titled Schools and Participatory Culture: Overcoming Organiza-
      who have acquired new capabilities will provoke changes in         tional and Policy Barriers. Bosco has held various administrative
      the organization. Even if the teachers who have adopted new        positions at Western Michigan University. His early work in
      concepts and skills are able to remain steadfast, their            educational technology focused on the design, development, and
      impact is likely to be felt only as long as they hold em-          evaluation of interactive video learning applications.
      ployment in the school. School reform requires direct and
      explicit reexamination of formal and informal policies, prac-
      tices, roles, and rules by participants at all levels of the or-
      ganization. Professional development needs to be an element
      of organizational development.                                         R E S O U R C E S
    • District-Level Leadership. The CoSN MacArthur Pro-                     Christensen, Clayton M., Curtis W. Johnson, and
      ject is focused on the involvement of superintendents, cur-            Michael B. Horn. Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Inno-
      riculum directors, and technology directors. Our focus in              vation Will Change the Way the World Learns. McGraw-Hill,
      no way should suggest that teachers are less important in              2008.
      making the needed changes or that we endorse a top-down
      approach to school governance. There are many examples                 “Creating and Connecting/Research and Guidelines on
      of teachers or schools moving forward on innovation with-              Online Social—and Educational—Networking.”
      out help from—or in some instances despite—district-level              National School Boards Association, July 2007.
      administration. Effective and sustainable deployment of                www.nsba.org/site/docs/41400/41340.pdf
      Web 2.0 in schools can occur only when the good things                 Lenhart, Amanda and Mary Madden. “Pew Internet Pro-
      happening in a particular classroom or campus are consid-              ject Data Memo: Social Networking Websites and Teens:
      ered mainstream in the district, rather than an aberration.            An Overview.” Pew Internet & American Life Project,
      District-level administrators have a critical role in under-           January 2007. www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2007/
      standing what digital media means for learning, in provid-             Social-Networking-Websites-and-Teens.aspx
      ing leadership for efforts to make the effective use of media          Lenhart, Amanda, Mary Madden, Aaron Smith, and
      the rule rather than the exception, and in providing a pol-            Alexandra Macgill. “Teens and Social Media.” Pew Inter-
      icy context that is conducive to the best that schools can do          net & American Life Project, December 2007.
      to enrich learning with the resources.                                 www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2007/Teens-and-Social-
                                                                             Media.aspx
   Can We Get There from Here?                                               SETDA (State Educational Technology Directors Asso-
   The challenges we face to assure that young people will be able
                                                                             ciation). www.setda.org
   to take full benefit from digital media within the learning
   environment of their schools are considerable. They are fiscal,            Shuler, Carly. “Pockets of Potential: Using Mobile Tech-
   ideological, and operational.                                             nologies to Promote Children’s Learning.” The Joan Ganz
       Given the nature of U.S. elementary and secondary school-             Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop, January 2009.
   ing, it is unlikely that we will see uniformity in efforts to solve       www.joanganzcooneycenter.org/pdf/
   the problems or see a common profile with regard to the                   pockets_of_potential_ExecSum.pdf
   effective deployment of digital media in schools across the


A Cable in the Classroom Publication                                                          Threshold            Spring 2009              •   15 •

Weitere ähnliche Inhalte

Kürzlich hochgeladen

Practical Research 1: Lesson 8 Writing the Thesis Statement.pptx
Practical Research 1: Lesson 8 Writing the Thesis Statement.pptxPractical Research 1: Lesson 8 Writing the Thesis Statement.pptx
Practical Research 1: Lesson 8 Writing the Thesis Statement.pptxKatherine Villaluna
 
Diploma in Nursing Admission Test Question Solution 2023.pdf
Diploma in Nursing Admission Test Question Solution 2023.pdfDiploma in Nursing Admission Test Question Solution 2023.pdf
Diploma in Nursing Admission Test Question Solution 2023.pdfMohonDas
 
How to Add a many2many Relational Field in Odoo 17
How to Add a many2many Relational Field in Odoo 17How to Add a many2many Relational Field in Odoo 17
How to Add a many2many Relational Field in Odoo 17Celine George
 
How to Print Employee Resume in the Odoo 17
How to Print Employee Resume in the Odoo 17How to Print Employee Resume in the Odoo 17
How to Print Employee Resume in the Odoo 17Celine George
 
What is the Future of QuickBooks DeskTop?
What is the Future of QuickBooks DeskTop?What is the Future of QuickBooks DeskTop?
What is the Future of QuickBooks DeskTop?TechSoup
 
Presentation on the Basics of Writing. Writing a Paragraph
Presentation on the Basics of Writing. Writing a ParagraphPresentation on the Basics of Writing. Writing a Paragraph
Presentation on the Basics of Writing. Writing a ParagraphNetziValdelomar1
 
How to Show Error_Warning Messages in Odoo 17
How to Show Error_Warning Messages in Odoo 17How to Show Error_Warning Messages in Odoo 17
How to Show Error_Warning Messages in Odoo 17Celine George
 
How to Add a New Field in Existing Kanban View in Odoo 17
How to Add a New Field in Existing Kanban View in Odoo 17How to Add a New Field in Existing Kanban View in Odoo 17
How to Add a New Field in Existing Kanban View in Odoo 17Celine George
 
In - Vivo and In - Vitro Correlation.pptx
In - Vivo and In - Vitro Correlation.pptxIn - Vivo and In - Vitro Correlation.pptx
In - Vivo and In - Vitro Correlation.pptxAditiChauhan701637
 
AUDIENCE THEORY -- FANDOM -- JENKINS.pptx
AUDIENCE THEORY -- FANDOM -- JENKINS.pptxAUDIENCE THEORY -- FANDOM -- JENKINS.pptx
AUDIENCE THEORY -- FANDOM -- JENKINS.pptxiammrhaywood
 
CapTechU Doctoral Presentation -March 2024 slides.pptx
CapTechU Doctoral Presentation -March 2024 slides.pptxCapTechU Doctoral Presentation -March 2024 slides.pptx
CapTechU Doctoral Presentation -March 2024 slides.pptxCapitolTechU
 
Education and training program in the hospital APR.pptx
Education and training program in the hospital APR.pptxEducation and training program in the hospital APR.pptx
Education and training program in the hospital APR.pptxraviapr7
 
How to Solve Singleton Error in the Odoo 17
How to Solve Singleton Error in the  Odoo 17How to Solve Singleton Error in the  Odoo 17
How to Solve Singleton Error in the Odoo 17Celine George
 
Human-AI Co-Creation of Worked Examples for Programming Classes
Human-AI Co-Creation of Worked Examples for Programming ClassesHuman-AI Co-Creation of Worked Examples for Programming Classes
Human-AI Co-Creation of Worked Examples for Programming ClassesMohammad Hassany
 
PISA-VET launch_El Iza Mohamedou_19 March 2024.pptx
PISA-VET launch_El Iza Mohamedou_19 March 2024.pptxPISA-VET launch_El Iza Mohamedou_19 March 2024.pptx
PISA-VET launch_El Iza Mohamedou_19 March 2024.pptxEduSkills OECD
 
How to Add Existing Field in One2Many Tree View in Odoo 17
How to Add Existing Field in One2Many Tree View in Odoo 17How to Add Existing Field in One2Many Tree View in Odoo 17
How to Add Existing Field in One2Many Tree View in Odoo 17Celine George
 
Benefits & Challenges of Inclusive Education
Benefits & Challenges of Inclusive EducationBenefits & Challenges of Inclusive Education
Benefits & Challenges of Inclusive EducationMJDuyan
 
Philosophy of Education and Educational Philosophy
Philosophy of Education  and Educational PhilosophyPhilosophy of Education  and Educational Philosophy
Philosophy of Education and Educational PhilosophyShuvankar Madhu
 
P4C x ELT = P4ELT: Its Theoretical Background (Kanazawa, 2024 March).pdf
P4C x ELT = P4ELT: Its Theoretical Background (Kanazawa, 2024 March).pdfP4C x ELT = P4ELT: Its Theoretical Background (Kanazawa, 2024 March).pdf
P4C x ELT = P4ELT: Its Theoretical Background (Kanazawa, 2024 March).pdfYu Kanazawa / Osaka University
 

Kürzlich hochgeladen (20)

Practical Research 1: Lesson 8 Writing the Thesis Statement.pptx
Practical Research 1: Lesson 8 Writing the Thesis Statement.pptxPractical Research 1: Lesson 8 Writing the Thesis Statement.pptx
Practical Research 1: Lesson 8 Writing the Thesis Statement.pptx
 
Diploma in Nursing Admission Test Question Solution 2023.pdf
Diploma in Nursing Admission Test Question Solution 2023.pdfDiploma in Nursing Admission Test Question Solution 2023.pdf
Diploma in Nursing Admission Test Question Solution 2023.pdf
 
How to Add a many2many Relational Field in Odoo 17
How to Add a many2many Relational Field in Odoo 17How to Add a many2many Relational Field in Odoo 17
How to Add a many2many Relational Field in Odoo 17
 
How to Print Employee Resume in the Odoo 17
How to Print Employee Resume in the Odoo 17How to Print Employee Resume in the Odoo 17
How to Print Employee Resume in the Odoo 17
 
What is the Future of QuickBooks DeskTop?
What is the Future of QuickBooks DeskTop?What is the Future of QuickBooks DeskTop?
What is the Future of QuickBooks DeskTop?
 
Presentation on the Basics of Writing. Writing a Paragraph
Presentation on the Basics of Writing. Writing a ParagraphPresentation on the Basics of Writing. Writing a Paragraph
Presentation on the Basics of Writing. Writing a Paragraph
 
How to Show Error_Warning Messages in Odoo 17
How to Show Error_Warning Messages in Odoo 17How to Show Error_Warning Messages in Odoo 17
How to Show Error_Warning Messages in Odoo 17
 
How to Add a New Field in Existing Kanban View in Odoo 17
How to Add a New Field in Existing Kanban View in Odoo 17How to Add a New Field in Existing Kanban View in Odoo 17
How to Add a New Field in Existing Kanban View in Odoo 17
 
In - Vivo and In - Vitro Correlation.pptx
In - Vivo and In - Vitro Correlation.pptxIn - Vivo and In - Vitro Correlation.pptx
In - Vivo and In - Vitro Correlation.pptx
 
AUDIENCE THEORY -- FANDOM -- JENKINS.pptx
AUDIENCE THEORY -- FANDOM -- JENKINS.pptxAUDIENCE THEORY -- FANDOM -- JENKINS.pptx
AUDIENCE THEORY -- FANDOM -- JENKINS.pptx
 
CapTechU Doctoral Presentation -March 2024 slides.pptx
CapTechU Doctoral Presentation -March 2024 slides.pptxCapTechU Doctoral Presentation -March 2024 slides.pptx
CapTechU Doctoral Presentation -March 2024 slides.pptx
 
Personal Resilience in Project Management 2 - TV Edit 1a.pdf
Personal Resilience in Project Management 2 - TV Edit 1a.pdfPersonal Resilience in Project Management 2 - TV Edit 1a.pdf
Personal Resilience in Project Management 2 - TV Edit 1a.pdf
 
Education and training program in the hospital APR.pptx
Education and training program in the hospital APR.pptxEducation and training program in the hospital APR.pptx
Education and training program in the hospital APR.pptx
 
How to Solve Singleton Error in the Odoo 17
How to Solve Singleton Error in the  Odoo 17How to Solve Singleton Error in the  Odoo 17
How to Solve Singleton Error in the Odoo 17
 
Human-AI Co-Creation of Worked Examples for Programming Classes
Human-AI Co-Creation of Worked Examples for Programming ClassesHuman-AI Co-Creation of Worked Examples for Programming Classes
Human-AI Co-Creation of Worked Examples for Programming Classes
 
PISA-VET launch_El Iza Mohamedou_19 March 2024.pptx
PISA-VET launch_El Iza Mohamedou_19 March 2024.pptxPISA-VET launch_El Iza Mohamedou_19 March 2024.pptx
PISA-VET launch_El Iza Mohamedou_19 March 2024.pptx
 
How to Add Existing Field in One2Many Tree View in Odoo 17
How to Add Existing Field in One2Many Tree View in Odoo 17How to Add Existing Field in One2Many Tree View in Odoo 17
How to Add Existing Field in One2Many Tree View in Odoo 17
 
Benefits & Challenges of Inclusive Education
Benefits & Challenges of Inclusive EducationBenefits & Challenges of Inclusive Education
Benefits & Challenges of Inclusive Education
 
Philosophy of Education and Educational Philosophy
Philosophy of Education  and Educational PhilosophyPhilosophy of Education  and Educational Philosophy
Philosophy of Education and Educational Philosophy
 
P4C x ELT = P4ELT: Its Theoretical Background (Kanazawa, 2024 March).pdf
P4C x ELT = P4ELT: Its Theoretical Background (Kanazawa, 2024 March).pdfP4C x ELT = P4ELT: Its Theoretical Background (Kanazawa, 2024 March).pdf
P4C x ELT = P4ELT: Its Theoretical Background (Kanazawa, 2024 March).pdf
 

Empfohlen

AI Trends in Creative Operations 2024 by Artwork Flow.pdf
AI Trends in Creative Operations 2024 by Artwork Flow.pdfAI Trends in Creative Operations 2024 by Artwork Flow.pdf
AI Trends in Creative Operations 2024 by Artwork Flow.pdfmarketingartwork
 
PEPSICO Presentation to CAGNY Conference Feb 2024
PEPSICO Presentation to CAGNY Conference Feb 2024PEPSICO Presentation to CAGNY Conference Feb 2024
PEPSICO Presentation to CAGNY Conference Feb 2024Neil Kimberley
 
Content Methodology: A Best Practices Report (Webinar)
Content Methodology: A Best Practices Report (Webinar)Content Methodology: A Best Practices Report (Webinar)
Content Methodology: A Best Practices Report (Webinar)contently
 
How to Prepare For a Successful Job Search for 2024
How to Prepare For a Successful Job Search for 2024How to Prepare For a Successful Job Search for 2024
How to Prepare For a Successful Job Search for 2024Albert Qian
 
Social Media Marketing Trends 2024 // The Global Indie Insights
Social Media Marketing Trends 2024 // The Global Indie InsightsSocial Media Marketing Trends 2024 // The Global Indie Insights
Social Media Marketing Trends 2024 // The Global Indie InsightsKurio // The Social Media Age(ncy)
 
Trends In Paid Search: Navigating The Digital Landscape In 2024
Trends In Paid Search: Navigating The Digital Landscape In 2024Trends In Paid Search: Navigating The Digital Landscape In 2024
Trends In Paid Search: Navigating The Digital Landscape In 2024Search Engine Journal
 
5 Public speaking tips from TED - Visualized summary
5 Public speaking tips from TED - Visualized summary5 Public speaking tips from TED - Visualized summary
5 Public speaking tips from TED - Visualized summarySpeakerHub
 
ChatGPT and the Future of Work - Clark Boyd
ChatGPT and the Future of Work - Clark Boyd ChatGPT and the Future of Work - Clark Boyd
ChatGPT and the Future of Work - Clark Boyd Clark Boyd
 
Getting into the tech field. what next
Getting into the tech field. what next Getting into the tech field. what next
Getting into the tech field. what next Tessa Mero
 
Google's Just Not That Into You: Understanding Core Updates & Search Intent
Google's Just Not That Into You: Understanding Core Updates & Search IntentGoogle's Just Not That Into You: Understanding Core Updates & Search Intent
Google's Just Not That Into You: Understanding Core Updates & Search IntentLily Ray
 
Time Management & Productivity - Best Practices
Time Management & Productivity -  Best PracticesTime Management & Productivity -  Best Practices
Time Management & Productivity - Best PracticesVit Horky
 
The six step guide to practical project management
The six step guide to practical project managementThe six step guide to practical project management
The six step guide to practical project managementMindGenius
 
Beginners Guide to TikTok for Search - Rachel Pearson - We are Tilt __ Bright...
Beginners Guide to TikTok for Search - Rachel Pearson - We are Tilt __ Bright...Beginners Guide to TikTok for Search - Rachel Pearson - We are Tilt __ Bright...
Beginners Guide to TikTok for Search - Rachel Pearson - We are Tilt __ Bright...RachelPearson36
 
Unlocking the Power of ChatGPT and AI in Testing - A Real-World Look, present...
Unlocking the Power of ChatGPT and AI in Testing - A Real-World Look, present...Unlocking the Power of ChatGPT and AI in Testing - A Real-World Look, present...
Unlocking the Power of ChatGPT and AI in Testing - A Real-World Look, present...Applitools
 
12 Ways to Increase Your Influence at Work
12 Ways to Increase Your Influence at Work12 Ways to Increase Your Influence at Work
12 Ways to Increase Your Influence at WorkGetSmarter
 

Empfohlen (20)

AI Trends in Creative Operations 2024 by Artwork Flow.pdf
AI Trends in Creative Operations 2024 by Artwork Flow.pdfAI Trends in Creative Operations 2024 by Artwork Flow.pdf
AI Trends in Creative Operations 2024 by Artwork Flow.pdf
 
Skeleton Culture Code
Skeleton Culture CodeSkeleton Culture Code
Skeleton Culture Code
 
PEPSICO Presentation to CAGNY Conference Feb 2024
PEPSICO Presentation to CAGNY Conference Feb 2024PEPSICO Presentation to CAGNY Conference Feb 2024
PEPSICO Presentation to CAGNY Conference Feb 2024
 
Content Methodology: A Best Practices Report (Webinar)
Content Methodology: A Best Practices Report (Webinar)Content Methodology: A Best Practices Report (Webinar)
Content Methodology: A Best Practices Report (Webinar)
 
How to Prepare For a Successful Job Search for 2024
How to Prepare For a Successful Job Search for 2024How to Prepare For a Successful Job Search for 2024
How to Prepare For a Successful Job Search for 2024
 
Social Media Marketing Trends 2024 // The Global Indie Insights
Social Media Marketing Trends 2024 // The Global Indie InsightsSocial Media Marketing Trends 2024 // The Global Indie Insights
Social Media Marketing Trends 2024 // The Global Indie Insights
 
Trends In Paid Search: Navigating The Digital Landscape In 2024
Trends In Paid Search: Navigating The Digital Landscape In 2024Trends In Paid Search: Navigating The Digital Landscape In 2024
Trends In Paid Search: Navigating The Digital Landscape In 2024
 
5 Public speaking tips from TED - Visualized summary
5 Public speaking tips from TED - Visualized summary5 Public speaking tips from TED - Visualized summary
5 Public speaking tips from TED - Visualized summary
 
ChatGPT and the Future of Work - Clark Boyd
ChatGPT and the Future of Work - Clark Boyd ChatGPT and the Future of Work - Clark Boyd
ChatGPT and the Future of Work - Clark Boyd
 
Getting into the tech field. what next
Getting into the tech field. what next Getting into the tech field. what next
Getting into the tech field. what next
 
Google's Just Not That Into You: Understanding Core Updates & Search Intent
Google's Just Not That Into You: Understanding Core Updates & Search IntentGoogle's Just Not That Into You: Understanding Core Updates & Search Intent
Google's Just Not That Into You: Understanding Core Updates & Search Intent
 
How to have difficult conversations
How to have difficult conversations How to have difficult conversations
How to have difficult conversations
 
Introduction to Data Science
Introduction to Data ScienceIntroduction to Data Science
Introduction to Data Science
 
Time Management & Productivity - Best Practices
Time Management & Productivity -  Best PracticesTime Management & Productivity -  Best Practices
Time Management & Productivity - Best Practices
 
The six step guide to practical project management
The six step guide to practical project managementThe six step guide to practical project management
The six step guide to practical project management
 
Beginners Guide to TikTok for Search - Rachel Pearson - We are Tilt __ Bright...
Beginners Guide to TikTok for Search - Rachel Pearson - We are Tilt __ Bright...Beginners Guide to TikTok for Search - Rachel Pearson - We are Tilt __ Bright...
Beginners Guide to TikTok for Search - Rachel Pearson - We are Tilt __ Bright...
 
Unlocking the Power of ChatGPT and AI in Testing - A Real-World Look, present...
Unlocking the Power of ChatGPT and AI in Testing - A Real-World Look, present...Unlocking the Power of ChatGPT and AI in Testing - A Real-World Look, present...
Unlocking the Power of ChatGPT and AI in Testing - A Real-World Look, present...
 
12 Ways to Increase Your Influence at Work
12 Ways to Increase Your Influence at Work12 Ways to Increase Your Influence at Work
12 Ways to Increase Your Influence at Work
 
ChatGPT webinar slides
ChatGPT webinar slidesChatGPT webinar slides
ChatGPT webinar slides
 
More than Just Lines on a Map: Best Practices for U.S Bike Routes
More than Just Lines on a Map: Best Practices for U.S Bike RoutesMore than Just Lines on a Map: Best Practices for U.S Bike Routes
More than Just Lines on a Map: Best Practices for U.S Bike Routes
 

Participatory Cultureand Schools

  • 1. Participatory Culture and Schools: Can We Get There From Here? Digital media and Web 2.0 offer an opportunity to bridge the two-culture gap between online youth and largely offline schools. BY JAMES BOSCO I IN 1959, THE BRITISH SCIENTIST AND NOVELIST C.P. SNOW WROTE ABOUT THE TWO CULTURES PROB- lem (sciences vs. humanities) of modern society. We could steal his term and use it to characterize the two-culture problem our kids experience as a consequence of the dramatic proliferation of Web 2.0 applications. Applications such as social networking, blogs, recreational and educational col- laborative games, and publishing of videos, pictures, stories, and commentaries have a pervasive presence in their personal lives and the lives of their friends. But the presence and effective use of these applications for learning in schools is much less prevalent. Thus, young people experience the two-culture problem as they move between in-school culture and out-of-school culture. The gap between the world inside of schools and outside of Culture: Media Education for the 21st Century,” MIT schools was brought home to me in a conversation with a col- humanities professor Henry Jenkins uses the term participa- league while I was writing this article. She has a relative who is tory culture to characterize the way in which the Web (along a school administrator, and she told me about an incident that with other influences) has changed the answers to the above had occurred recently in his district. One of the male admin- questions. Participatory culture is characterized by member- istrators was accused of sending a female high school student ship in online groups with few or no entry barriers, the an inappropriate text message. My colleague’s relative told her creation of intellectual or artistic products by non-credentialed that, even if the message was not objectionable, it was wrong individuals or groups, collaborative problem solving, the for a teacher or administrator to text a student since this is how ability to form or join general or specialized social networks, kids communicate. The anecdote illustrates a perspective held and the capability to disseminate artistic and intellectual by an appreciable number of school personnel: media that is products easily and effectively. In essence, participatory cul- used extensively by young people does not belong in schools. ture shifts us from a situation with a small number of pro- Those technologies are their things! ducers of information and knowledge to a new realm in which many of those who previously would be consumers are now At a Crossroads also producers. The Internet, and particularly Web 2.0, has resulted in new Participatory culture in schools would mean that students questions that get to the heart of how human culture is cre- are expected to be actively engaged contributors to the intel- ated and maintained: Who has access to the existing infor- lectual and artistic content of their schooling rather than just mation or knowledge? Is information valid if non-experts passive receivers of a curriculum. Isn’t it reasonable to expect produce it? From whom or what do we learn? How do we find that schools, as critical agencies for the transference of culture people with whom we wish to share information and culti- to each succeeding generation, should be compatible with the vate friendships? world of information, knowledge, communications, and col- In the report “Confronting the Challenges of Participatory laboration as it exists today? • 12 • Spring 2009 Threshold www.ciconline.org/threshold
  • 2. law. The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) of 2003 re- The Starting Point quires schools to filter or block access to inappropriate mate- The starting point for a discussion about Web 2.0 in schools rials on the district network and to adopt a policy that addresses is the recognition that the use of Web 2.0 is taken for granted the safety and security of minors using e-mail, chat rooms, and in the lives of our youth. A Pew Internet & American Life sur- other forms of electronic communications. Failure to do so vey that collected data in the last quarter of 2006 found that disqualifies the district for discounts on computer hardware pro- 93 percent of teens use the Internet and that a substantial vided by the federal E-Rate Program. More recently, the Broad- percentage use the Internet for social interaction. Fifty-five band Data Improvement Act signed by President George W. Bush percent of American youths (ages 12 to 17) use social networking, in 2008 includes specific provisions regarding Internet safety ed- 28 percent maintain blogs, and 39 percent use the Internet to ucation in schools. And in 2006, Virginia became the first state share artistic creations. to mandate teaching of Internet A study commissioned by the National School Boards Isn’t it reasonable to expect that schools safety in all itsrequires districts CIPA also schools. Association found even higher should be compatible with the world to educate minors about inap- percentages of Web 2.0 usage. propriate behavior on social- This study collected data in of information, knowledge, networking sites. Since the law Spring 2007 and reported that communications, and collaboration? has little specificity about what 96 percent of 9- to 17-year- educating children with regard olds with online access use social-networking sites such as Face- to inappropriate behavior means, the effect of this requirement book, MySpace, or KinzChat. There is little doubt that the num- seems inconsequential. School districts that have established pro- bers from 2009 would show a comparable increase. grams to educate kids on appropriate Internet behavior do so More recently, Mizuko Ito and her colleagues at the because they recognize they can provide a valuable service for University of Southern California and the University of Cali- students that goes beyond the minimum compliance rules of fornia at Berkeley have provided the most detailed picture of a vague federal mandate. the use of Web 2.0 as a result of conducting hundreds of in- Most schools require students and/or parents to sign an terviews, more than 5,000 hours of observations, and numer- acceptable-use policy that stipulates appropriate and inappro- ous other data-collection procedures over the past two years. The priate use of the school network. Some schools now include opening words of their report put their basic finding succinctly: specific language pertaining to Web 2.0 in their acceptable-use policy; others districts deal with Web 2.0 in their policy’s Social network sites, online games, video-sharing sites, generic language. A signature on an acceptable-use policy could and gadgets such as iPods and mobile phones are now be construed as the way the district complies with the provi- fixtures of youth culture. They have so permeated sion to educate students, but that stretches the term educate young lives that it is hard to believe that less than a decade well past the breaking point. ago these technologies barely existed. Another dimension of protection involves safeguarding instructional time from interference. Teachers do not want While some of today’s Web 2.0 applications will be super- students to be text messaging a friend about a party on the week- seded by new ones over time, there is no reason to expect that end, revising their Facebook profile, or checking out a Twitter the use of the Internet to develop relationships, collaborate, share tweet during class time. Many schools ban handheld electronic information, produce media, and play games with others will devices for this reason. In April 2008, the New York state ap- become passé. Far from being a kid thing, Web 2.0 applica- peals court upheld the banning of cell phones in New York City tions already play an increasing role in business, the arts and public schools. And New York is not alone; many other schools sciences, government, civic affairs, informal education, and ban cell phones. recreation. Today’s students will not put these resources behind The second theme in how schools are dealing with Web 2.0 them when they become adults. is the “preserve theme.” This involves integrating Web 2.0 ap- plications with the curriculum and pedagogy. If the goal is to Protect - Preserve - Progress get teachers to use technology, then a good tactic for selling it Three themes describe the way schools are contending with Web to school administrators is to show how the technology can be 2.0. The first is the “protect theme.” This orientation stems from used without disturbing the existing program. Those who concern over how to protect children from the deleterious support this perspective do so either because they believe the consequences of the Web, such as sexual predators, inappro- curriculum is generally adequate and can handle new teaching priate content, and cyberbullies. Bad things can happen to techniques or because they believe the digital applications will kids as a result of Internet use, so it is not unreasonable for school spark needed evolutionary changes to the status quo. The ex- personnel, when they are operating in loco parentis, to recog- perience with computers in the schools over the past three nize a need to protect kids. decades does not encourage optimism that such an evolution However, the major impetus for protecting kids in schools will occur unless there are explicit actions to generate the more from inappropriate content on the Internet is federal and state substantial change. A Cable in the Classroom Publication Threshold Spring 2009 • 13 •
  • 3. The third theme involving Web 2.0 is the “progress theme,” computer that is connected, and that might be a computer or the discontinuous-change or disruptive-technology point of on the principal’s desk. Second, connectivity tells us little view that has received lots of attention following last year’s pub- about functional capability. A 2008 report by the State Ed- lication of the book Disrupting Class. This orientation does not ucational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) in- derive from a sense that schools recently have become worse, dicated that most schools are connected at T1 speeds (1.54 but rather that schools need to change in order to become Mbps), while the average household has broadband con- compatible with a changed world. Disruptive change represents nection at or exceeding 5 Mbps. There are relatively few school a break with the way an organization structures policies, prac- districts in the U.S. that have adequate broadband connec- tices, roles, and rules. Rather than moving further and faster tivity to enable a full measure of access to Web 2.0 resources. along an existing path, disruptive change puts the organization • Hardware. As of the 2005–06 school year, there were 14.2 on a new path and transforms it. million computers in U.S. schools (a 1:4 student-to-computer Jenkins has identified the core media-literacy skills that ratio). Once again, the statistics make the situation look bet- young people need to acquire (see page 9). While students ter than it is. The data on hardware in schools is self-reported may acquire some of these skills outside of school, it would be and may take into account every computer in the school— unfortunate if schools opt out of cultivating the very skills whether they are working or accessible to students. Apart from their students need to succeed in today’s global society. It is only schools that have a one-to-one student computer program, when the new skills our schools where access to young people require are in- hardware is a constrain- tegrated into an environment Rather than fight a losing battle to abolish ing factor represent the that embodies the nature and filtering, it is more useful to devise reasonable overwhelming majority. spirit of participation that these skills can be adequately policies to enable teachers and students to • Filtering. Were filtering to go away as a federal cultivated. Attempts to graft use the Internet for good purposes. mandate, it is likely that them onto conventional many schools would keep schooling, however, can only result in a rather distant approx- a filter program on their servers. Districts have latitude in how imation of what our kids need from their schools. they implement Web filtering and how they handle problems The three themes outlined above are not mutually exclusive. that occur when the server blocks a website that ought not For the most part, school personnel manifest some degree of all be blocked. Thus, school districts vary considerably in how of these themes in their work. Generally speaking, all teachers much of a problem filtering presents to teachers who make see a need for students to be protected—or even better, to be able abundant use of the Internet. Rather than fight a losing bat- to protect themselves—from the pernicious aspects of the Web. tle to abolish filtering, it is more useful to help schools devise Many teachers are making use of the Web—some in ways that reasonable policies and procedures for filtering to enable are oriented to a preservationist approach and others that are more teachers and students to use the Internet for good purposes. oriented to a transformative perspective. Either way, the task of • Mobile Devices. Many schools restrict students from using taking advantage of Web 2.0 in schools raises thorny problems. their cell phones. First is the concern that cell phones will be used to call friends, to surf websites, or for other distractions What Stands in Our Way? from learning. Second is the concern about accessing pornog- I am the principal investigator of a John D. and Catherine T. raphy or other bad sites, since the student’s cell phone is not MacArthur Foundation project at the Consortium for School subject to the district Internet filter. If we really seek to Networking (CoSN) called Schools and Participatory Culture: bridge the two-culture gap, it seems reasonable to explore Overcoming Organizational and Policy Barriers. The goal is to how the use of students’ own connective appliances could get a deeper understanding of the perspectives and practices of be made safe and sane for their in-school learning. school administrators as a basis for providing support for school • Parental/Citizen Concerns. Any effort to reconcile the districts in their efforts to deal with the problems and seize the world inside schools with the world outside of schools needs opportunities that new media brings to us. We expect to be work- to be cognizant of the critical role of parents and the pub- ing with MacArthur grantees whose work is relevant to schools, lic. The viewpoints of parents and citizens about what they other educational organizations, and school districts in imple- expect to happen with regard to formal education are cen- menting a plan of action to help schools make better use of dig- tral to any effort to foster institutional change. To the de- ital media resources. The following list is illustrative of the gree that what happens in schools is perceived by parents issues we face as we work to bridge the two-culture problem. and citizens to be inappropriate, the capability of school lead- • Networking. At first glance, the connectivity statistics look ers to make use of Web 2.0 resources is constrained. quite good. The U.S. Department of Education reports Common Sense Media and the Joan Ganz Cooney Cen- that, as of 2003, 85 percent of schools were connected to ter recently collaborated on a parents’ opinion survey on the the Internet with broadband. But there are two things that role of digital media in the lives of their children. Eighty- make the reality a lot less impressive than it sounds. First, three percent of parents said that knowing how to use a school is considered “connected” if there is at least one digital media was as important to their children as learning • 14 • Spring 2009 Threshold www.ciconline.org/threshold
  • 4. traditional skills. But parents expressed skepticism about the U.S. We are most likely to see considerable variation district value of many digital-media platforms, particularly when by district in their willingness to take on the problems and in it came to whether digital media could teach kids how to their degrees of success. communicate and collaborate, skills that are essential in a As we move forward, it is important to keep in mind that, 21st-century workforce. Sixty-seven percent of parents said while the effort to make good use of digital media and Web they did not think the Web helped teach their kids how to 2.0 in our schools brings with it many problems, digital media communicate, and 87 percent said they did not believe the is not a problem. It is an opportunity. The family of projects Web helped their kids learn how to work with others. being sponsored by the MacArthur Digital Media and Learn- The survey makes clear that there is considerable cogni- ing program, as well as similar work occurring around the tive dissonance among parents with regard to digital media. world, demonstrates the incredible opportunities we have to They understand conceptually the value of these resources provide valuable learning experiences for our youth both in but are uneasy about their actual use. Any effort to expand school and out of school. Thus, we face the challenges not with the use of digital media needs to reach out to parents and a sense of burden but with a sense of privilege to be able to bring citizens to explain and demonstrate the use and value of dig- these learning resources to our kids. ••• ital media in the school program. • Organizational/Professional Development. There is a James Bosco is a professor emeritus in the department of educational need for more and better professional development for studies at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Mich. He teachers pertaining to the use of computers, the Internet, is the principal investigator for a MacArthur Foundation project and Web 2.0. Yet there is no reason to expect that teachers titled Schools and Participatory Culture: Overcoming Organiza- who have acquired new capabilities will provoke changes in tional and Policy Barriers. Bosco has held various administrative the organization. Even if the teachers who have adopted new positions at Western Michigan University. His early work in concepts and skills are able to remain steadfast, their educational technology focused on the design, development, and impact is likely to be felt only as long as they hold em- evaluation of interactive video learning applications. ployment in the school. School reform requires direct and explicit reexamination of formal and informal policies, prac- tices, roles, and rules by participants at all levels of the or- ganization. Professional development needs to be an element of organizational development. R E S O U R C E S • District-Level Leadership. The CoSN MacArthur Pro- Christensen, Clayton M., Curtis W. Johnson, and ject is focused on the involvement of superintendents, cur- Michael B. Horn. Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Inno- riculum directors, and technology directors. Our focus in vation Will Change the Way the World Learns. McGraw-Hill, no way should suggest that teachers are less important in 2008. making the needed changes or that we endorse a top-down approach to school governance. There are many examples “Creating and Connecting/Research and Guidelines on of teachers or schools moving forward on innovation with- Online Social—and Educational—Networking.” out help from—or in some instances despite—district-level National School Boards Association, July 2007. administration. Effective and sustainable deployment of www.nsba.org/site/docs/41400/41340.pdf Web 2.0 in schools can occur only when the good things Lenhart, Amanda and Mary Madden. “Pew Internet Pro- happening in a particular classroom or campus are consid- ject Data Memo: Social Networking Websites and Teens: ered mainstream in the district, rather than an aberration. An Overview.” Pew Internet & American Life Project, District-level administrators have a critical role in under- January 2007. www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2007/ standing what digital media means for learning, in provid- Social-Networking-Websites-and-Teens.aspx ing leadership for efforts to make the effective use of media Lenhart, Amanda, Mary Madden, Aaron Smith, and the rule rather than the exception, and in providing a pol- Alexandra Macgill. “Teens and Social Media.” Pew Inter- icy context that is conducive to the best that schools can do net & American Life Project, December 2007. to enrich learning with the resources. www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2007/Teens-and-Social- Media.aspx Can We Get There from Here? SETDA (State Educational Technology Directors Asso- The challenges we face to assure that young people will be able ciation). www.setda.org to take full benefit from digital media within the learning environment of their schools are considerable. They are fiscal, Shuler, Carly. “Pockets of Potential: Using Mobile Tech- ideological, and operational. nologies to Promote Children’s Learning.” The Joan Ganz Given the nature of U.S. elementary and secondary school- Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop, January 2009. ing, it is unlikely that we will see uniformity in efforts to solve www.joanganzcooneycenter.org/pdf/ the problems or see a common profile with regard to the pockets_of_potential_ExecSum.pdf effective deployment of digital media in schools across the A Cable in the Classroom Publication Threshold Spring 2009 • 15 •