Teens are responding to the online environment by using it to blog their ideas. Teens consistently participate in the media and more importantly YouTube. This is how a large proportion of teens are blogging their thoughts.
The first video that is examined is entitled; “I hate you Josh! Im a teen werewolf!” (AlfaWerewolff, 2010). This video has been created by an angry teen dressed as a werewolf. This teen blogs his thoughts about a classmate called Josh and the obvious bullying that is occurring. The teen demonstrates self-representation by actively promoting his group and defending his reason to belong and participate in this group. He allows others to view his thoughts and by placing it up on YouTube he releases his control over the content he has produced as a consequence others can rip it off (Dezuanni, 2010a) which has occured. By using this media others can alter and adjust his video to create alternative views and interpretations and possibly pay out the original author (Dezuanni, 2010b).
The YouTube video, “I hate teen werewolfs! (& Josh!)” (WhataboutMichaelG, 2010) has been made by a teenager in response to the previously mentioned video. The teen has blogged to show his disapproval of this new group called werewolves. He compares them to the Goths and Emos, just with fur. This teen can clearly separate and understand the cyclic method of fashion trends. The teen has used surveillance of the media (YouTube) to find this video. The video was placed on YouTube three months ago and within that time there are a lot of responses included in this video which is not unusual (Wesch, 2008).
YouTube normally demonstrates others opinions. By publishing this video the teenager has released his control over what people do to it. There must have been some consequence for this as the teen has in the last two weeks or more and blocked his video from the public by making it private. An educational implication is that educators must ensure that the treatment of others should be kept in check (Dezuanni, 2010c).
Both videos explore the notion of blogging, self-representation and control. YouTube has been a method for both to vent their frustrations about different topics. Whilst neither explores the topic in depth both provide a good example to how teens are reacting to the online environment and their engagement in participatory culture.
YouTube Videos
I hate you Josh! Im a teen werewolf! By: AlfaWerewolff.
I hate teen werewolfs! (& Josh!) By: WhataboutMichaelG.
References
AlfaWerewolff. (2010). I hate you Josh! Im a teen werewolf! [Video Webcast]. Retrieved September 12, 2010 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZLulEgXLOU
Dezuanni, M. (2010a). CLN647 Youth, Popular Culture and Texts: Week 9 [Lecture Notes]. Retrieved September 25, 2010 from http://blackboard.qut.edu.au/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_64558_1%26url%3D
Dezuanni, M. (2010b). CLN647 Youth, Popular Culture and Texts: Week 5 [Lecture Notes]. Retrieved August 20, 2010 from http://blackboard.qut.edu.au/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_64558_1%26url%3D
Dezuanni, M. (2010c). CLN647 Youth, Popular Culture and Texts: Week 3 [Lecture Notes]. Retrieved August 2, 2010 from http://blackboard.qut.edu.au/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_64558_1%26url%3D
Wesch, M. (Speaker) (2008). An Anthropological Introduction to YouTube. [Video Webcast]. Retrieved August 25, 2010, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPAO-lZ4_hU
WhataboutMichaelG. (2010). I hate teen werewolfs! (& Josh!). [Video Webcast]. Retrieved September 12, 2010 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlvPK1Ahvug&NR=1
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ReplyDeleteThis is a Sayuri’s short response.
ReplyDeleteIsa’s response to YouTube made me realise what some teenagers are actually doing on YouTube. I have to admit that I was shocked with this YouTube clip “I hate teen werewolfs! (& Josh!)” (WhataboutMichaelG, 2010) because I never watched anything like this created by an angry teenager before.
Although I was able to gain knowledge more about Youth, popular culture and text through the unit CLN647, I realised that I have limited knowledge about what teenagers do online. As the generation gap in terms of technology is widening (Hefflinger, 2010), being competent with various technologies is necessary. I found that I hardly go to internet sites that teenagers enjoy. But as a teacher, I think I should explore the actual sites or video clips teens are using to enhance my relationship with my students. It is important to learn from lectures and articles, but I believe it is also vital to experience the contemporary youth digital world. After viewing this (and completing the assignment) I have gone to many blogs and websites created by teenagers and examined their postings. I believe this will be important skills in terms of monitoring what online content my students are posting.
References
AlfaWerewolff. (2010). I hate you Josh! Im a teen werewolf! [Video Webcast]. Retrieved September 12, 2010 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZLulEgXLOU
Hefflinger , M. (2010). Report: Technology Generation Gap is Widening. Retrieved October 5, 2010, from http://www.dmwmedia.com/news/2010/09/24/report-technology-generation-gap-widening
This post by Isa is a good example of some of the ways in which teenagers are participating in the online world. Both videos document an individual's opinion and help to create their online identity through the type of content they are choosing to post. Although there is a decidedly negative feeling between these two teenagers I'm sure that the individuals involved would have felt some satisfaction with their posts as they got to express their own viewpoint and had a wide range of people watch them. This type of participation with the online world has allowed these boys a much wider audience and an opportunity to vent. However we must be mindful of the effects that these types of posts can have on students who may not have the emotional maturing to deal with their peer group being teased in public. My post on the Facebook etiquette fits in well with Isa's discussion. Perhaps if they had an opportunity to practice ethical use of new media they would think twice before posting hurtful comments.
ReplyDeleteMelinda's response to CLN647 Group 15 blog entry "Isa's Response to YouTube"
ReplyDeleteMaking and sharing media has become fundamental to the lives of youth today. One of the most popular platforms for publishing new media is YouTube. This online destination is exciting because of its ability to harness and guide popular culture. Moreover, YouTube has vast educational purposes that would enhance or modify curriculum; and improve pedagogical practice to engage 21st century learners.
Isa's blog entry discusses the phenomenon of posting self-published media on YouTube. It is a contemporary way for youth to blog their thoughts in a rich audio-visual medium. Teenagers have had other forums to 'have their say' in past generations but the digital age enables today's youth to reach larger audiences in more ways than any previous generation. This is empowering and is filled with possibilities for the 21st century classroom.
Isa mentions the possibility that anything posted publicly on YouTube is fair game for mashup with the intention to mock the creator. A case study examined by Isa shows that the creator of a clip, speaking out against his own experiences of bullying, loses control over the content when others mash it up to alter and parody his work.
My school currently blocks YouTube because of bandwidth issues that will hopefully be resolved with the NBN rollout. In the meantime, it would be worthwhile for schools like mine who are considering lifting the ban on YouTube to discuss the ethical implications of its use. Personalisation and remix is at the core of engagement in a participatory culture (Ito 2010, p. 3) so to encourage youth to communicate in these ways needs to be done with consideration of ethical and security measures.
References
Ito, M. (2009). Media Literacy and Social Action in a Post-Pokeman World. NFAIS conference keynote address. Retrieved September 26, 2010, from Queensland University of Technology Course Materials Database.