Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Annotated Bibliography-Parents and Technology

James Flanders
Professor Goff
English 1010
8 July 2014
Parents and Technology

Davies, C. "Digitally Strategic: How Young People Respond To Parental Views About The Use Of Technology For Learning In The Home." Journal of Computer Assisted Learning 27.4 (2011): 324-335. Academic Search Premier. Web. 27 June 2014.

This paper explores how children respond to parental attitudes about the use of technology in the home for learning. Some of the parental concerns are safety, accuracy and quality of information found in the internet.  The question that is asked is whether parental attitude towards technology use limits the extent to which their children develop autonomous uses of technology for learning, especially as children grow older. Subsequently, parent’s involvement in children’s learning and use of technology decreases.  The paper concludes that we need to consider the long term effects of negative attitudes which are just as important as risks of unquestionably positive attitudes.

Fahlquist, J., and I. van de Poel. "Technology And Parental Responsibility: The Case Of The V-
Chip." Science & Engineering Ethics 18.2 (2012): 285-300. Academic Search Premier. Web. 27 June 2014.

This paper discusses technology and parental responsibility specifically with “V-chip”.  There is also a discussion of this technology tool and others with respect to parental responsibilities.  It further discusses the delegation of parental responsibility in regards to the V-chip.  Does the V-chip reduce responsibilities for children or it is a tool to exercise that responsibility? The paper argues that there are three notions of responsibilities underlying those questions and should be kept separate.

Hollingworth, S., et al. "Parents' Perspectives On Technology And Children's Learning In The Home: Social Class And The Role Of The Habitus." Journal of Computer Assisted Learning 27.4 (2011): 347-360. Academic Search Premier. Web. 27 June 2014.

This paper compares parental views on technology and their children learning in the home according to social class through three themes. The research affirms there is no difference in social class when it comes to looking at technology as a danger vice a learning tool.  There is a viewpoint that parents who have internet access tend to speak more positively about it while those who don’t have access, stress over finding their children access to internet.

Jordan, Amy, and Romer Daniel. “Perspectives on Parenting in a Digital Age.” Media and the Well-Being of Children and Adolescents. Oxford University Press, 2014. 247-251 Web. 27 June 2014.

This chapter deals with parental perspectives on the digital age. Many parents lack knowledge on how to confront the challenges of the digital world. This lack of knowledge creates fear and encourages the feeling of helplessness. As a result parents can turn a blind an eye to youth’s involvement in the digital world.

Plowman, L., et al. "Parents, Pre-Schoolers And Learning With Technology At Home: Some Implications For Policy." Journal of Computer Assisted Learning 27.4 (2011): 361-371. Academic Search Premier. Web. 27 June 2014.

This paper mentions policies that are in place that focus on children over the age of eight to get access to technology at home. The paper asks what are the implications for similar polices for preschool children discussed through three studies. The research indicates that family ownership of technology is not the most important factor of technology use by preschoolers. Factors depend on parental attitudes, educational goals for their children, and amount of supervision.

Plowman, Lydia, Joanna McPake, and Christine Stephen. "The Technologisation Of Childhood? Young Children And Technology In The Home." Children & Society 24.1 (2010): 63-74. Academic Search Premier. Web. 27 June 2014.

This paper discusses parental feelings on technology use and its perception as threat to children. These can be broken down in three vast categories of social cultural, cognitive and well being. The categories which are the backbone of the study indicate parental fears are not as prevalent as media coverage leads people to believe.

Stevenson, O. "From Public Policy To Family Practices: Researching The Everyday Realities Of Families' Technology Use At Home." Journal of Computer Assisted Learning 27.4 (2011): 336-346. Academic Search Premier. Web. 27 June 2014.


This paper examines parents buying technology for educational potentials. When, in fact, it is only one of many social dimensions that are mixed in with those potentials. Those social dimensions complicate the issue of using technology for education. This paper demonstrates a need for focus on how technology is actually used, not based on what could or should happen in the home.

Monday, July 7, 2014

Summarizing "The Bounty of the Sea"

The Bounty of the Sea

Jacques Cousteau


This essay describes how the oceans are deteriorating and the subsequent impact on humankind through Jacques first hand experiences during the last 30 years. His powerful descriptions of the deterioration of the oceans describe the progressing sickness and indicates humankind’s destiny is linked to the oceans. With an ocean void of life, mankind would need to escape inland to seek refuge from the putrescence. The ocean plays a role in regulating salt and gases and without that role there could be dire consequences. He concludes with the subsequent demise of mankind, linked to the effects of dead oceans.

Class - 30 June 2014

On 30 June 2014, we went over commas, semicolons, sentence fragments, etc. It was a good refresher for me. I guess there is no excuses on my posts for bad grammar now. I also learned something new when it comes to pronouns such as the sentence "My sister went to the store with my mom and (I, me)." The correct answer was me. It took a lot of people by surprised that what they learned previously was in correct.

We also had a good discussion on topics for our first writing assignment. It was fun and interesting to network with my peers and get their insight on various topics.

My Reading Habits

I typically read everyday starting in the morning with scriptures on-line, followed up by reading the news online as well. I also check my email daily because of a work requirement.  During the day, I currently read my English and Speech assignments in their respective books. Finally, in the evening, I read a blog about survival concepts such as natural disasters.

 One thing I wish I could spend more time doing is reading books to my kids. My oldest daughter shares my passion of reading a good book and I think it's because I read to her so much when she was little.

Friday, June 27, 2014

"Dawn of the Digital Natives"

I grew up reading hard copies of books and I miss those days of getting lost in one. The reason for not being able to read as much as I did has nothing to do with the digital age but rather the lack of time. I do read about 90% of my news online for the convenience and instant access.

I'm not concerned what type of books my kids read. I'm worried about the electronic devices that have multiple applications that are a distraction from reading. It would be interesting to see a current US report on reading which accounts for digital media and it's affects.

"Why I Blog"

When I read the "Why I Blog" section of the (e)dentity book, I reflected on my own experiences with blogging.  I have participated in blogs by reading and providing comments. However, this is the first time I had the need or inclination to start one myself.

Like other people in the English 1010 class, I started this blog for class. I don't consider myself a "tree hugger" but saving paper in my hectic life is easier for me. On the other side of that thought, having my thoughts and work posted makes me feel a little uneasy. That being said, I do like improving myself so please leave me some constructive feedback and or comments.

If I had the time or the nerve, I would start a blog about my life to inspire people. I was homeless for a short while as a teenager and never finished high school. It was a long road to pull myself up and learn a trade. Years later, I had the opportunity to join the military that gave me more skills to survive in various aspects in life. Now I'm facing the challenge of completing my general education.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

My Identity vs. My (E)dentity (In class project 25 June 2014)

There is a not a significant overlap in my words to describe myself and my (e)dentity.  There are a few words such as responsible that are duplicated.  I have to be responsible for my actions on and off duty to include what I post on line. Also, I’m a very passionate person whether I’m online or not; for things that I believe in or impact my life. I will respectively tell people my point of view and try to have a healthy discussion.


I think compared to most of my peers, I’m a private person online and have a limited (e)dentity.  I do not have a social media site I subscribe to. I think in moderation an online presence is good but I miss the personal interactions between people.  As a family man, I think people need to get “unplugged”. I will have to concede it’s hard to keep up with my family from the Netherlands without an online presence such as email.