Weblog 3

Well I thought I would make comments as I read the assignments.
Chapter 4: I have seen on some websites that I visit, people "tagging" their photos/content. When Braun takes the opinion this could help literacy, I thought it absurd (I still need a bit more convincing). I continued to read on and try to follow her examples and feel nothing but old. I visited the websites discussed for clarification and quickly realized . . . I need someone nearly half my age to explain. I continue to read and continue to try... Are tags the same as links?
Chapter 5: I appreciate the Braun defining gaming vocabulary (did not know these words existed). After reading this, I feel much different than the last chapter. There is an obvious connection between literacy and gaming (interesting). It would be relatively "easy" to create a lesson plan around character identity alone. In saying this I am not as confident in the gaming arena. As I type I also realize that this could help young males get more involved in literature if there was a connection to a video game...Why didn't I think about that? Brilliant.
Chapter 6: I wish teens were using Myspace to access info from librarians or authors. Unfortunately, that is not the reality I see and hear. It is funny a few years ago I decided to go "undercover" on Myspace. At the time I thought I could help with the cyberbullying going on for one of my students. I wanted so badly to help her, so I thought I could this the perfect plan: Become her friend under a pseudo-name and just be there. I was appalled by what I found: Students lying about their age; Inappropriate posted pictures; Students describing themselves in, what I feel to be, a distasteful light. I digress...Braun offers useful alternatives in how to use Myspace. I think I could facilitate some of the activities described. BTW, I was far from undercover...I registered under my name.