Reading Quest 3

Digital natives, digital immigrants- I think the main thesis in this short story is that kids waste more time on video games, or a computer then reading in other words he thinks kids are not learning as much as they use to because we use technology for everything now, he even goes to say because of technology kids have their own language and if you’re an older folk you won’t understand unless you keep up with the times, he thinks if the only way kids will learn is with using technology and using “there language” then do it! Kids will learn better because it’s something they can relate to! The only backing Marc Prensky has is from Dr. Bruce D. Perry of Baylor College of Medicine saying the brain learns differently due to the way you grew up, Prensky has multiple degrees himself so he might know a thing or two. Honestly I agree what with what he has to say kids are lazy when it comes to learning the traditional way so why not change the game up and put it in a way kids would pay attention and learn? I know it works just from this very class here!

The internet- I think the main thesis in this short story is that internet and social networks are taking over TV and its taking over us! Only because the internet makes us work unlike TV because with TV we sit back and be lazy as we see things happen on the internet or on social network sites it makes us work in order for something to happen to got to make it work, your always looking for a friend to stay connected and all of this is good! According to Steven Johnson saying “The rise of the internet has challenged our minds in three fundamental and related ways: by virtue of being participatory, by forcing users to learn new interfaces, and by creating new channels for social interactions” Johnson has come out on many TV shows, has written many books, and for web sites all saying the same thing on trying to get his point across, nobody in the story backs him up its all him but I like what he says he gets his point across and it seems true people are always blogging the numbers are so high you would think its America watching an episode of “Lost”, all of the internet and its social media is making us work all to stay connected but hey if it makes me not seem “lazy” why not?

Learning to think in a digital world- I think the main thesis in this short story is that Maryanne Wolf is trying to say that before we get all hooked up on the internet and the digital world we need to learn how to read because it’s a beautiful thing knowing how to read, because the new way of learning nowadays is some digital format weather its blogging, watching a video on the internet, or using email to communicate, teachers and parents wonder how teaching will be like years from now and will kids pick it up? I say yes they will times are changing and changing fast! Just look in 1999 email was a big thing from your house off a phone line now I can check my email off my phone or use my laptop in a café without a phone line all wireless so I think we will be able to adapt a way of thinking and learning with technology, Wolf came out with this herself no one really backing her up or at least was not mention but I do agree we must learn how to read before we move on to this digital world because it will only make it easier.

Learning theory, video games, and popular culture- I think the main thesis in this short story is that James Gee is saying that playing video games is good for the brain and in learning which I agree 100% without him needing some support because video games can challenge the brain and make it react in a way that a book or video cant yes you can learn that way but you can also learn with video games, Gee goes on to say that “the mind worked like a digital computer, calculating generalizations and deductions via a logic-like rule system” he got that from (Newell and Simon, 1972) he also goes on to say when playing a video game you can see yourself in it because your controlling the character in the game with games like World of WarCraft, Sims and on Tony Hawk Skate he talks about how you can build your own skate park, so all these games are making you think opening up your mind which is a good thing, that’s why I agree video games is a good way to learn and challenge yourself, Gee has so many quotes from different books which I like and makes his story and point stronger.