Author's Choice

"Everything that we know comes from one of two sources: direct, real-world experience or mediated experience." Pg. 71 

I knew this, I just hadn't thought about it in terms of digital and media literacy. I remember being in the Driver's Ed simulation machines in high school and wondering if it was really like driving a car on the road. I felt more secure because if I made a mistake it wouldn't hurt anyone. Young people take risks. Is it easier for them to take a risk on-line? I would also like to think my mediated learning experiences are from experts. We all know Wikipedia is filled with information that allows everyone to be an expert. That is why it is so important to help our students understand the information they see every day. 

"Since the world as I experience it each day is pretty limited, I depend upon messages created by others for much of my understanding of the world." Pg. 72  

When I first read this sentence I thought I had turned two pages instead of one. I thought I had missed part of the story. Maybe the author had changed. How was this person 'limited' and dependent on others? Was this person blind, deaf or handicapped in some other way? But then I realized we all are blind, deaf and handicapped in some way. That is why we are dependent on the messages around us. 

"An author's choices shape and frame a learning experience in amazing ways." Pg. 72  

When I read this sentence I was reminded of a story about two men in a hospital room, one by the window, one by the door. When the man by the door asked the man by the window what it looked like outside the man would describe a wonderful scene. Always true to the season or weather. One night the man by the window passed away. When the man by the door was asked if he would like to be moved to the window bed he agreed without hesitation. Once settled he looked out the window to see a cinder block wall.   

The story ends as a new patient was moved to the bed by the door. After he is settled he asks what can be seen from the window. You are left to wonder whether the man by the window carries on the tradition of describing the outside world or not.   Does he choose to make the man's world a little brighter or darker? It is truly an author's world.

Hobbs, Renee. Digital and media literacy: Connecting culture and classroom. Corwin Press, 2011. 

Staying true to the authorship theme I picked up in this week's reading is the below full page Target advertisement I read in the newspaper. Although this is an advertisement encouraging people to shop at Target, it is also a thank you to Target Shoppers telling them what good they have done for society. I think this goes well with my last selected quote. What story will you help write today?