According to Henry Jenkins, participatory means the property of culture. But how can culture be a property and whom or what entity owns said culture. In class many of the issues related to the digital divide we have discussed thus far seem to stem from gaps and lacking in the education system of the United States. Since in the 21st century, culture most created and defined by media it is safe to say that education owns culture. As the New London Group stated education's "fundamental purpose is to ensure that all students benefit from learning in ways that allow them to participate fully in public, community, [Creative] and economic life". Moreover, the education that owns culture is not necessarily that that involves a desk, pen, and paper. Rather, it incorporates all forms of education. It includes both sit down lecture method and the interactive method. And, as media is now shaping the culture of the 21st century. Media as well as digital education is essential to the growth of our American society and our global society.
Children today are becoming ever more engaged in the online community. They view the World Wide Web as email, chat, social networking, games, etc. While many parents and guardians see these activities as risky for young children, it is their children's method of expression. It is how they become participatory citizens of society. They become engaged in social, capital, and civic culture. Yes, the World Wide Web may be dangerous for children but without it many children will not be exposed to the culture and way of life that allows one to thrive and succeed in the 21st century until much later in their life and some children will never be exposed to such education.
With this education, children and adolescents are learning to break social barriers that many adults today continue to struggle with and thus hinder their successes in life. Even though informal education is still in its experimental stages, the youth seem to be thriving more than ever and at younger and younger ages. With earlier exposure to the online community, the youth of today are able to give feedback and find ways to improve the digital world in ways that do not occur to the adult population. Some bloggers and researchers are beginning to call this informal education provided by the online community the ideal learning environment or "affinity spaces". Affinity spaces are ideal because they are constantly narrowing the gaps between age, class, race, and gender. These environments are also ideal because they depend on peer-to-peer teaching and encourage classmates to share their knowledge and skills while also learning and appreciating the knowledge and skills of their fellow peers.
Children today are becoming ever more engaged in the online community. They view the World Wide Web as email, chat, social networking, games, etc. While many parents and guardians see these activities as risky for young children, it is their children's method of expression. It is how they become participatory citizens of society. They become engaged in social, capital, and civic culture. Yes, the World Wide Web may be dangerous for children but without it many children will not be exposed to the culture and way of life that allows one to thrive and succeed in the 21st century until much later in their life and some children will never be exposed to such education.
With this education, children and adolescents are learning to break social barriers that many adults today continue to struggle with and thus hinder their successes in life. Even though informal education is still in its experimental stages, the youth seem to be thriving more than ever and at younger and younger ages. With earlier exposure to the online community, the youth of today are able to give feedback and find ways to improve the digital world in ways that do not occur to the adult population. Some bloggers and researchers are beginning to call this informal education provided by the online community the ideal learning environment or "affinity spaces". Affinity spaces are ideal because they are constantly narrowing the gaps between age, class, race, and gender. These environments are also ideal because they depend on peer-to-peer teaching and encourage classmates to share their knowledge and skills while also learning and appreciating the knowledge and skills of their fellow peers.