Reaction to "What Next? Toddler Netizens, Playstation Thumb, Techno-literacies"

I agree with the author Carmen Luke that new technologies have changed children's experiences over the years. He discusses the history of communication from books to movies and TV and MTV to home computers and playstation. Throughout history people have worried about the effects of the latest technology. In the last ten years, so much has changed and we now have seen a new family structure with young children becoming well-versed in computer technology. The article explained that new technologies will create new jobs and we need to prepare our young for a world with unfamiliar technologies.

This article discusses four major issues. First, children's experiences are being shaped by technology. Children's developmental stages are no longer traditional. They are processing various types of information when they acess multimedia text. They have different literacy skills today. Second, parents and educators need to be informed prior to purchasing software and gender stereotypes exist today in popular software. Third, children need to apply analytical skills to the new technology. Fourth, socioeconomics affect acess to the new technologies, and this needs to be addressed so that all children are equally able to use new technology.


My own children grew up in the 1990s and watched TV as entertainment. They grew up watching Sesame Street and Barney. Their childhood was much different from my childhood because of computers. They played various games on the computer such as Math Blaster and American Girls CD-ROMs. They were able to use the computer also as a tool to help them do their research for their assignments. My son in particular graduated from Playstation2 to playing games in cyberspace. He knows so much about the computer, and I can't figure out how he taught himself how to do the things he does.

My daughter now has her own laptop and it is constantly on. She's either emailing someone, watching a video, listening to music, downloading music, or surfing the web. My daughter's education is dependent on this laptop. She communicates with her classmates, professors, does her research, and writes her papers with it. It's hard to imagine the world without all of this technology.

Technology has changed the way we live and has changed family dynamics. I remember watching TV together with my parents and having limited choices before cable TV. Now we have so many more choices and my family of four rarely watches TV together. Everyone is so busy. My children are dependent on technology: cell phones, computers, Ipods, and other devices.

I realize that we are fortunate to be able to have the latest technology. Having taught in different school districts throughout my career, I am aware that not everyone has access to technology at home. Where I live and teach now everyone has a home computer and they are computer literate.

I agree with the author that educators will need to "reshape curriculum." I'm in the process of trying to figure out how to best use technology in my classroom. I realize that I have a lot to learn, and I welcome your suggestions and input.