Comments on: Age and Culture http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2008/02/21/age-and-culture/ Technology is neither the problem nor the solution. Wed, 7 Jan 2009 19:02:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Angella http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2008/02/21/age-and-culture/#comment-10507 Angella Sun, 02 Mar 2008 00:35:09 +0000 http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2008/02/21/age-and-culture/#comment-10507 I do know some people who blog and they happen to be 50 +, and one over 70 +. The ones I know tend to have had a background in computers for most of their lives. One for instance is setting up a computer system in a part of the world that has not seen such expansion. They are as comfortable with the computer and internet as most of my teen aged students. I feel the number of older generation participants will increase as the age of our population increases. It seems only sensible that the use would go up as the experienced user gets older. I do know some people who blog and they happen to be 50 +, and one over 70 +. The ones I know tend to have had a background in computers for most of their lives. One for instance is setting up a computer system in a part of the world that has not seen such expansion. They are as comfortable with the computer and internet as most of my teen aged students. I feel the number of older generation participants will increase as the age of our population increases. It seems only sensible that the use would go up as the experienced user gets older.

]]> By: Kim Rayburn http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2008/02/21/age-and-culture/#comment-10503 Kim Rayburn Sun, 24 Feb 2008 18:00:46 +0000 http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2008/02/21/age-and-culture/#comment-10503 I agree with Traci about not being too "keen" about having to think and journal my thoughts. BUT, what is funny is that now, I am purposely (sp?) looking for things to add to the mix and whenever I run across something in print or on T.V., I think---Can I talk about that? Way to go, me, for beginning to think outside the ole box! I agree with Traci about not being too “keen” about having to think and journal my thoughts. BUT, what is funny is that now, I am purposely (sp?) looking for things to add to the mix and whenever I run across something in print or on T.V., I think—Can I talk about that?

Way to go, me, for beginning to think outside the ole box!

]]> By: Tippi http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2008/02/21/age-and-culture/#comment-10502 Tippi Sun, 24 Feb 2008 16:03:38 +0000 http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2008/02/21/age-and-culture/#comment-10502 I was surprised that the majority of bloggers come from an older generation. But, I'm not surprised at their reason for blogging. I think they probably are more likely to tell stories and reflect on their lives whereas the younger generation is more likely to 'chat' and have immediate feedback on what they are saying. I think this is just an example of how these two generations value what they say and other people's opinion of that. One kind of wants to leave a mark and be remembered while the other is probably more interested in just saying what they think about daily topics. Just my opinion. I was surprised that the majority of bloggers come from an older generation. But, I’m not surprised at their reason for blogging. I think they probably are more likely to tell stories and reflect on their lives whereas the younger generation is more likely to ‘chat’ and have immediate feedback on what they are saying. I think this is just an example of how these two generations value what they say and other people’s opinion of that. One kind of wants to leave a mark and be remembered while the other is probably more interested in just saying what they think about daily topics. Just my opinion.

]]> By: Cathy Bechtel http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2008/02/21/age-and-culture/#comment-10501 Cathy Bechtel Sun, 24 Feb 2008 12:23:28 +0000 http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2008/02/21/age-and-culture/#comment-10501 I have written about this before but prior to this class, I did not blog nor did I subscribe to anyone else's. For me, blogging serves 2 purposes right now. Blogging is certainly an act of reflection. Reflection can lead to new levels of learning. Even reading other's blogs on similar subjects adds to my own level of reflection. Blogging is also so empowering. To think that what I write could actually be read by anyone. (On that note, I've had several discussions with kids and even their parents about the content on their SNS profile. It is important for them to remember that anyone, including teachers, future employers, etc., can read this. They really need to be reminded of this and parents should take a look at how their own children define who it is they think they are.) It is vital for everyone, not just elders, to know that their stories, their beliefs, and their reflections are important enough to be posted for all to see. Just think though how this changes the value of one's communication skills in writing. I have written about this before but prior to this class, I did not blog nor did I subscribe to anyone else’s. For me, blogging serves 2 purposes right now. Blogging is certainly an act of reflection. Reflection can lead to new levels of learning. Even reading other’s blogs on similar subjects adds to my own level of reflection. Blogging is also so empowering. To think that what I write could actually be read by anyone. (On that note, I’ve had several discussions with kids and even their parents about the content on their SNS profile. It is important for them to remember that anyone, including teachers, future employers, etc., can read this. They really need to be reminded of this and parents should take a look at how their own children define who it is they think they are.) It is vital for everyone, not just elders, to know that their stories, their beliefs, and their reflections are important enough to be posted for all to see. Just think though how this changes the value of one’s communication skills in writing.

]]> By: Joe McConda http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2008/02/21/age-and-culture/#comment-10499 Joe McConda Sun, 24 Feb 2008 02:46:47 +0000 http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2008/02/21/age-and-culture/#comment-10499 Blogging by elders....I suddenly realized I am one. At 50, I am older than most (probably all) in our class. The 65 and older crowd who blog, I would imagine, are an interesting group of people. It thought it was interesting what Ronni said about how blogging could keep the mind sharp. That is such a good point. Research has shown that those who are actively engaging their mind are more likely to "keep their mind". Maintaining a blog would be a great way to do this as well as have a written record for the younger generation. I like the idea that Lexie came up with about pairing young people with older people who blog. Older people have so much to offer and this type of communication could be the thing that conveys values that may have been missing in the lives of many young people. Blogging by elders….I suddenly realized I am one. At 50, I am older than most (probably all) in our class. The 65 and older crowd who blog, I would imagine, are an interesting group of people. It thought it was interesting what Ronni said about how blogging could keep the mind sharp. That is such a good point. Research has shown that those who are actively engaging their mind are more likely to “keep their mind”. Maintaining a blog would be a great way to do this as well as have a written record for the younger generation. I like the idea that Lexie came up with about pairing young people with older people who blog. Older people have so much to offer and this type of communication could be the thing that conveys values that may have been missing in the lives of many young people.

]]> By: Roxanne Johnson http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2008/02/21/age-and-culture/#comment-10497 Roxanne Johnson Sat, 23 Feb 2008 20:17:07 +0000 http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2008/02/21/age-and-culture/#comment-10497 I wonder if I just don't have the right stereotypes because especially the pew research data seemed right on target: more educated, more affluent, more urban and younger use the internet more. I suppose the fact that more hispanics as a percentage use the internet than whites do is significant, but that could also be caused by the fact that the hispanic population is younger as a percentage (more children per family and immigrants are usually younger)? I wonder if I just don’t have the right stereotypes because especially the pew research data seemed right on target: more educated, more affluent, more urban and younger use the internet more. I suppose the fact that more hispanics as a percentage use the internet than whites do is significant, but that could also be caused by the fact that the hispanic population is younger as a percentage (more children per family and immigrants are usually younger)?

]]> By: Ronni Bennett http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2008/02/21/age-and-culture/#comment-10496 Ronni Bennett Sat, 23 Feb 2008 16:11:45 +0000 http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2008/02/21/age-and-culture/#comment-10496 Lexie... I think you may have the beginnings of an excellent project we could work on together, getting your students together with some of the elders who hang out at my blog. I know hundreds of elderbloggers, many of whom would be interested. I'm not sure what you mean by "dialect and wordisms", but part of good communication is clear communication - something that might be part of the project. If you'd like to discuss this further, send me an email: ronni AT ronnibennett DOT com. Lexie…

I think you may have the beginnings of an excellent project we could work on together, getting your students together with some of the elders who hang out at my blog. I know hundreds of elderbloggers, many of whom would be interested.

I’m not sure what you mean by “dialect and wordisms”, but part of good communication is clear communication - something that might be part of the project.

If you’d like to discuss this further, send me an email: ronni AT ronnibennett DOT com.

]]> By: Lexie http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2008/02/21/age-and-culture/#comment-10494 Lexie Fri, 22 Feb 2008 02:44:25 +0000 http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2008/02/21/age-and-culture/#comment-10494 I think it would be great if we could link up some of my students with some elderbloggers. I wonder how well it work. The first thing that came to my mind is, "Would the elderbloggers understand the dialect and wordisms?" I think it would go a whole lot smoother than people think. Many of my students live with their grandparents anyway. I know that out of 10 kids on my son's ballteam, 3 or 4 were being raised by their grandparents. That is amazing. I would also think that older folks would enjoy blogging because they could be more reflective with their life. I think it would be great if we could link up some of my students with some elderbloggers. I wonder how well it work. The first thing that came to my mind is, “Would the elderbloggers understand the dialect and wordisms?” I think it would go a whole lot smoother than people think. Many of my students live with their grandparents anyway. I know that out of 10 kids on my son’s ballteam, 3 or 4 were being raised by their grandparents. That is amazing. I would also think that older folks would enjoy blogging because they could be more reflective with their life.

]]> By: Stephannie Marsillett http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2008/02/21/age-and-culture/#comment-10493 Stephannie Marsillett Fri, 22 Feb 2008 02:30:24 +0000 http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2008/02/21/age-and-culture/#comment-10493 When I read this, I found it astonishing. The majority of elders I am personally connected with do not even own a computer. Also, I found it a bit ironic that a little more than half of the bloggers were male. After all, I thought the stereotype said that males were more Math/Science oriented rather than Reading/Writing. Anyway, whatever the age group, whatever the interest, I feel it is beneficial to blog. I just wish I could get my parents interested in it. Stories of when they were growing up are priceless. When I read this, I found it astonishing. The majority of elders I am personally connected with do not even own a computer. Also, I found it a bit ironic that a little more than half of the bloggers were male. After all, I thought the stereotype said that males were more Math/Science oriented rather than Reading/Writing. Anyway, whatever the age group, whatever the interest, I feel it is beneficial to blog. I just wish I could get my parents interested in it. Stories of when they were growing up are priceless.

]]> By: Traci Prater http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2008/02/21/age-and-culture/#comment-10492 Traci Prater Fri, 22 Feb 2008 01:31:41 +0000 http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2008/02/21/age-and-culture/#comment-10492 I must admit that when I first started blogging for my class, I wasn't really thrilled about having to think and write about stuff. But as time goes on, I really enjoy the time I stop to think about concepts and then verbalilze my thoughts regarding those concepts in my blog. I also have some of my students getting into blogging. I find that it is like reading, they have to really enjoy what they are blogging about before they will participate - just like reading, if they don't like what they are reading - they won't read! Right now, many of my students are into following the weather blog because they like to know if they are going to get out of school. Some of my students are getting brave enough to leave comments! :) Communication has to start somewhere! I must admit that when I first started blogging for my class, I wasn’t really thrilled about having to think and write about stuff. But as time goes on, I really enjoy the time I stop to think about concepts and then verbalilze my thoughts regarding those concepts in my blog.

I also have some of my students getting into blogging. I find that it is like reading, they have to really enjoy what they are blogging about before they will participate - just like reading, if they don’t like what they are reading - they won’t read! Right now, many of my students are into following the weather blog because they like to know if they are going to get out of school. Some of my students are getting brave enough to leave comments! :) Communication has to start somewhere!

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