"I will be an advocate for communication technology by asking, "how can I minimize the digital divide?"; because I believe there is one."
An excerpt from my Philosophy Explanation
Education Technology and Communication - Fall 2010
Education Technology & Communication
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AS AN EDUCATOR and LEADER - Since I came to the school I currently work at, our principal has always made it a priority that every teacher has a philosophy of education posted outside of their classroom. Though I already had one, the assignment to create a philosophy embedded in communication theories at the culmination of this course was an excellent and much needed "reboot" to my previous philosophy.
At the beginning of the course, I was unaware of how important many of these communication theories were to Digital Literacy. Only after the philosophy summative assignment did I truly understand.
At the beginning of the course, I was unaware of how important many of these communication theories were to Digital Literacy. Only after the philosophy summative assignment did I truly understand.
Communication, and how one sends and receives messages through a variety of media is central to digital literacy. In communicating and instructing students, teachers, and adults, Watzlawick's Interactional View Theory (1967) informs me as both a subscriber and teacher that utilizes many communication tools (print, online, video, audio, IM, to name a few) that there are particular media that are better suited for the purpose of one's communication.
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This philosophy, and the content of the whole course, allowed me to understand through Gerbner's Cultivation Theory (1968) and McLuhan and Postman's Media Ecology (1968) how much media influences (student) behaviour. From understanding those two theories in the course, I will be diligent in analyzing trends in student behaviours (be it as a teacher, principal, or curriculum developer) to ensure that I create programming to remedy any maladaptive behaviours or trends from the digital world affecting students.
Finally, from the perspective of the digital divide, a focus I have touched on a few times in this category, the communication theories that speak on inclusivity and equity are Noelle-Numann's Spiral of Silence (1974) and Ardener and Kramarae's Muted Group Theory (1975), and by association, Orbe's Cross-Cultural Muted Group Theory (1995). All theories speak of how through forms of communication, disenfranchised groups are marginalized or further oppressed. By grasping the the subtle and obvious nuances in various media communications, I can better better equip students from these marginalized groups to push-back and empower themselves from these oppressive messages. I can do this in the capacity of a teacher and leader. Even better, I feel I can prepare learners (and myself) on how to advocate for themselves when they face dominant-group push back and disagreement.
In connection with another component of this portfolio, Leadership for Change,
the theories of Elaboration Likelihood Model (Petty and Cacioppo), Functional Perspective on Group Decision Making (Hirokawa and Gouran), and Cultural Studies aptly prepared me to become a persuasive and convincing communicator, which I foresee to be a very useful trait if I were to ever be in a leadership role, engaging both students and adults.
As a teacher and leader, I hope to continue being a persuasive and articulate communicator, who brings an empowering message to all learners. I hope to prepare them as informed receivers of communicated messages, so they are not improperly persuaded or misinformed from the onslaught of messages they receive.
I will always bring my philosophy with me into future roles. It is an empowering graphic! The clear statements, endorsed by multiple communication theories endorses my self-confidence and efficacy. I now feel that I can speak through a variety of media as an informed and convincing educator. I will share a message that helps improve digital literacy to students, colleagues, and members of society. As a leader, I hope to ensure that all, especially the marginalized, feel empowered when they receive and deliver a message in this digital and media-heavy world we live in.
Finally, from the perspective of the digital divide, a focus I have touched on a few times in this category, the communication theories that speak on inclusivity and equity are Noelle-Numann's Spiral of Silence (1974) and Ardener and Kramarae's Muted Group Theory (1975), and by association, Orbe's Cross-Cultural Muted Group Theory (1995). All theories speak of how through forms of communication, disenfranchised groups are marginalized or further oppressed. By grasping the the subtle and obvious nuances in various media communications, I can better better equip students from these marginalized groups to push-back and empower themselves from these oppressive messages. I can do this in the capacity of a teacher and leader. Even better, I feel I can prepare learners (and myself) on how to advocate for themselves when they face dominant-group push back and disagreement.
In connection with another component of this portfolio, Leadership for Change,
the theories of Elaboration Likelihood Model (Petty and Cacioppo), Functional Perspective on Group Decision Making (Hirokawa and Gouran), and Cultural Studies aptly prepared me to become a persuasive and convincing communicator, which I foresee to be a very useful trait if I were to ever be in a leadership role, engaging both students and adults.
As a teacher and leader, I hope to continue being a persuasive and articulate communicator, who brings an empowering message to all learners. I hope to prepare them as informed receivers of communicated messages, so they are not improperly persuaded or misinformed from the onslaught of messages they receive.
I will always bring my philosophy with me into future roles. It is an empowering graphic! The clear statements, endorsed by multiple communication theories endorses my self-confidence and efficacy. I now feel that I can speak through a variety of media as an informed and convincing educator. I will share a message that helps improve digital literacy to students, colleagues, and members of society. As a leader, I hope to ensure that all, especially the marginalized, feel empowered when they receive and deliver a message in this digital and media-heavy world we live in.