This reflection is on the article titled participatory and public voice to encourage civic engagement by Howard Rheingold. This article explores the use of public media such as the internet as a tool for political and communal outreach. More and more youth today are resorting to the internet for a variety of reasons such staying connected, sharing ideas and projects, and so much more. Today youth are serious media consumers spending a lot of their time on programs like Facebook, Myspace, and Youtube. Todays youth is not only using the internet for their entertainment but also using it as a tool to help our communities. According to a study done by MTV in April 2006 “70 % believing in the importance of helping the community, 68% already doing something to support a cause on a monthly basis and 82% describing themselves at least somewhat involved.” (Rheingold 98) This is an extremely high number and really reflects adolescent’s activism in today’s media. Since self expression is so popular via the internet, so why aren’t more teachers using this vital resource to teach? If teacher could integrate the media within their curriculum then learning could place on a different level. Take blogs for example; not only do they practice writing skill but they are also a form of public expression that leaves room for communal debate. Engaging with the public is so amazing because it can really expand your thought and ideas with the input of other people. Sadly some people do not care for civic engagement and do not see it as a duty. Sometimes teens or minority group don’t try simply because they don’t believe they can make a difference. This video discusses the decline of civic engagement and the possible causes as well as the important of involvement.
Although I have freedom, living in Montréal the government and officials impose laws and regulations that restrict us from doing and saying certain things. However, the internet is truly free in all senses. There an individual can talk about everything and say absolutely anything without fear of government policy, being offensive or just plane wrong. Your public voice is essentially a tool for anything you want accomplish whether it’s to speak about gay right or animal neglect, the internet is a great apparatus for that. Teacher should therefore be broadening our internet use not limiting us or shy away from uncertainty. I think many professors do not use the internet in their curriculum because they are unfamiliar with it resources and fear that their students may know more. The reality is that our youth is overall more knowledgeable of the internet and its function, but that does not mean your class wont benefit from its use. Our class blogs have been very useful to me because it causes me to reflect on specific media related issues in w personal and informal way. In addition we get in integrate other public information to strengthen and further explore are chosen topic.
This online encyclopedia is made by volunteer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia
What youtube and what its function is according to the public
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YouTube
