The Media

Whether it's a good thing or a bad thing depends largely on personal interpretation, but it's impossible to deny that we live in an age that is centered around the media. It is at the hub of almost all daily life. Students use internet-based news sources in the classroom to get up-to-date news from around the world. Flipping on the local news for five minutes while I brush my teeth in the morning can bring me up to speed on all the major goings-on without me having to break my routine to thumb through a newspaper or other print source. The nature of today's media is all about convenience and speed. With the advent of "smart phones" and iPads no matter where you are or what you're doing, you can know exactly what is going on half-way around the globe in the matter of a few clicks.
For the most part I would have to argue that this a great tool that we as learners and educators are blessed with. Students are now more globally connected than ever before. In third grade my class received pen pals from other countries. My pal was a girl from Australia. I LOVED writing her letters and receiving them in return. However by the time I had written, edited, labeled, and sent her letter it would be at least a week before she received it. Now repeat that whole process on her side and the task became quite a lengthy one! There was much more waiting around for letters than actual communication happening. In today's world I could connect to the same girl in Australia much quicker through email-based communication. Even more unconventionally, I could interact with her in a matter of seconds using a tool such as Skype. I could type instant written messages to her, talk to her via a voice chat, or even video chat with her if she had a built in camera! I use this technology to talk to my family in England.
Today's media also increases students' accessibility to current events. I don't know many second graders who are voluntarily reading the newspaper over their Cheerios in the morning, but almost all of them know how to complete a Google search. Through supervised internet access students can discover what is going on in any part of the world instantaneously.
Of course, as with most things there is a positive and a negative outlook to this particular topic. The media is by no means without its drawbacks and concerns. It brings to our doorsteps the poor decisions of the likes of Paris Hilton, the pressures to behave and look a particular way, and the prejudices and biases of largely unchecked sources. Children today are exposed to all kinds of negativity through the media, including criticism of people's actions, appearances, and opinions. When not correctly monitored and discussed, these influences can have a large negative impact on anyone's perceptions, let alone on an adolescent's.
A wise man once said "with great power comes great responsibility." (Yes, I did just quote Spiderman!) I could go post a gossip-laden Tweet right now that would instantly be accessible all over the world. While the media has its place in both daily life and in the classroom, it should be monitored. Checking sources and reliability are a must!!