In this article Christensen argues that cartoons and the media play a major role in teaching children how to act, live and dream.
This article has a big impact because Christensen uses students to show a true understanding of the subject matters that are discussed. In the beginning of the article he uses a students actual writing sample to show her frustration. She didn't want to believe that her thoughts and views had been molded by the media and other influences. I think it was important to use this example. But even this student realizes it is something she needs to acknowledge. She referred to these cartoons and other influences "secret education". Her main goal was to make her students really listen and watch cartoons and make notes of certain influences. She specifically states in the end of the article "I look for opportunities for students to act on their knowledge." And by giving them assignments that make them think about what they are seeing and hearing they really can act on their knowledge. If they continuously know how to identify specific signs in media. She would really have her students break it down and it was a great way for them to get a deep understanding.
Comments: I think Christensen gave great examples of cartoons like "Looney Tunes" and others that would portray stereotypes. I think Christensen's students were able to get deep insight on what they had been exposed to for their entire lives. I was also very happy to hear that his students enjoyed sharing with the world the effect that the cartoons and media can have on children. It also makes me think of how media has influenced my life. I own UGGs and a Northface, but when I was purchasing these items, not once did i think to myself "I'm buying this because I have been influenced to buy it" but thinking about it, that's just what it is, people don't normally know that they are being influenced even when they clearly are!
Hyperlink: http://www.buzzfeed.com/daves4/jokes-you-never-got-as-a-kid#45m9jt6
These are 19 inappropriate messages that were in the shows I would watch as a kid, not that they influenced me, but it goes to show how many things are in the media that we might not even notice.
Great picture to depict how the medias feeds us ideas and I notice that the guy in the chair looks unhappy and just not alive! I think sometimes the media can make us somewhat zombie-like. Sometimes changing who we are as an individual.
The amount of influence the media has on us is unbelievable and you're correct when you talked about thinking about it in your own life. We don't think twice about whether we were influenced to do something or something.
ReplyDeleteThe picture you posted is a really great depiction of the point Christensen was trying to make. I think the first student's response that you mentioned relates to a lot of people. We don't want to believe that so much of our lives, if not all of it is influenced and formed based off the ideas we learned from the media growing up.
ReplyDeleteI have felt the same way while buying clothes that you did. The media influences every part of our lives, from the clothes we wear to the food we eat.
ReplyDeleteits crazy how sneaky the media can be when giving us these messages. Like you said about buying clothes, what made you want them? this question dent come to mind when your shopping, you just know what you want. It is interesting to look back and think about why you have the things you do in your room, do you really like them, or do you just like them because media has influenced you to. Great job!
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