Social Media and Children

I was looking through YouTube when I came across this video. In this video, the interviewer was asking children what they know about social media . Their answers were really cute and funny.  

What I realize about this video is that children create their own understanding of the world and interpret their own ideas/ understandings. What I gather from the video too, is that some of the children are not introduced to social media by parents or teachers. Why?

I believe as educators, we should introduce our young explorers to social media and explain to how to use these social media wisely such as using privacy settings and the dos and don’ts. This is so that children becomes aware and to use social media appropriately. It also lowers the risk of cyber bullying and exposure of vulnerability of adult predators. 

References:

Markmalkoff. (2013). What Kids REALLY Think of Social Media. YouTube. Retrieved April 22, 2014, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nceDhoXKLKk 

Instagram Junkie Alert!

I realised during most of young people’s free time, they will be either playing games or will be on social media.  One of the social media most people use is Instagram. I am a self proclaimed Instagram junkie. I have 534 photos and counting (wait, maybe, I am not THAT bad). I have taken way too many pictures of my meals, coffees and people I love. What can I say? Every picture tells a story.

Image is sourced from Google Images

Little do the viewers know how much trouble it takes to get that ‘picture perfect’ moment and the amount of time editing and choosing which filter to make it look pretty.  I am not saying it is a bad thing. We just want to make our life look pretty and perfect on social media. #justsaying

It does have some benefits too, aside from sharing photos and videos; it can help people to meet new people and build relationships and enhance self esteem. You can meet people who share the same interest with you and to expand your network. I must admit that I do get inspiration from viewing other people’s Instagram profile.

Children can use this application to share snippets of their daily activities in school instead of saying ‘I don’t know’, when parents ask how is their day at school. 

Art and Craft Dilemma

I am not really a crafty person, but I love art and craft (do I make any sense?) I love looking up for new crafts for my little ones. I find the Internet ever so amazing. Just type in your key words unto any search engines and voila! There will be plenty of suggested websites for you to go into, sometimes (for my case, especially). There will be too many choices, till I don’t know where or which to choose from! Too spoiled for choice. :P

I do not particularly have a favorite website as I like to discover new websites and new ideas from different mom blogs and websites. But I do find myself browsing through Pinterest and The Crafty Crow the most. 

However, children’s end product may not be the same as on the website or as you hope that it will turn out to be.  So, I must remind myself all the time to keep an open mind and it is the learning process that really counts!

Do you have any favorite art and craft website? Please do share! 

P.S: Easter is coming! :)

Image is sourced from The Crafty Crow

Revolution of Education Through ICT

Image is sourced from Pinterest

I was looking through Pinterest when I found this picture. I though it was pretty cool. 

When was the last time you used an overhead projector or a voice recorder? That is what I thought. It this age of technology, we can just do anything and almost everything in just a click away, and young students who are tech savvy especially are able to respond to that.

I find it interesting on how technology has revolved in the education field. Gone were the days where students sit and learn through book and pencil method. Now, with advanced ICT, education is made fun and engaging to students. It is more hands on whereby they are able to relate their learning to the real world and students do not have to carry those dreadful heavy text books everywhere they go! (:  

Just put away that thingamagic thing, will you please?

A few weeks ago, I was having lunch with a friend; I could not help but to notice this young family. This young family consist of 2 children (a toddler and a child around 5 years old) and their parents. The moment the family were shown where they are to sit, the parents immediately took out 2 iPads and gave them to each child. The children had their eyes glued to the gadget, of course. The parents discussed their orders, placed their orders and took out their own smart phones and there was silence on that table.

Hmmm...  What ever happen to face to face communication? :/

Images are from Google Images

I find that parents should make an effort to TALK to their children instead of shushing them with gadgets. Yes, ICT is a good exposure to children for their future but I feel that nothing should be replaced with quality social time with your loved ones.

Children at this young age, should learn to socialise with other people, explore (the environment-not the device, mind you ) and question.. A lot.  

I was not raised in a tech savy family whereby Mom made us talk and put away all sorts of distraction during meal times and family time (even now). Even though sometimes we might get too caught up with our phones, Mom would gently remind us that it is dinner time. It breaks my heart to see families (young and old), even some friends who are ever so engrossed to the screen instead of caring what is going on with your friend/ child/ sister... etc.

So, for once, stop caring on what status or filter to use and talk to the person beside you. Ask them how their day is. Believe me, talking helps :)

Thank you, Tengku Nur Aulia, a fellow EDC 3100 classmate for the post inspiration :)

I find these articles from Elite Daily and NBC News interesting and meaningful regarding to this topic. Check them out

Phew...

I never knew doing an online artefact can be so fun but yet so frustrating (due to my lack of technology skills). I felt that I could have done much more and better but well...  I could not figure out how. I was feeling a bit panicky and everything seemed wrong, messy and all over the place. But I managed to get through it and it is finally over. This assignment has taught me a great amount of technology and I can’t deny that it has helped me understand ICT better. 

Image is from Google Images

I'm pretty sure all of us went through this before :p