Final Project

Toys, Toys, Toys! and Maybe Some Education

Toys. That’s what all kids rave about when they go to the department store such as Wal-Mart, Target, or even Toys R’ Us with their parents; but the question that many may ask is: Is it educational and worth the spending? What makes a toy unique or interesting to these kids? As a sales associate working in the world’s most well-known department store and always keeping your prices low, Wal-Mart, I have seen adults barbed their children with toys just so they would not cry, throw tantrums, and make a scene, because that would be embarrassing. When the word “toy” comes out of an adult’s mouth, the word “toy” seems to have some kind of magical power to make the child listen. So, I am going to focus on three main ideas: what makes a kid want to buy toys, the role of toy play, and the importance of toys as a fundamental learning tool in classrooms.

Toys have been around for ages; hence, since the beginning of time. Young adolescents have been known to play with whatever they may find lying outside on the ground or hanging up. Toys and games have been unearthed from the sites of ancient civilizations. They have been written about in some of our oldest literature. Toys excavated from the Indus valley civilization (3000-1500 BCE) include small carts. whistles shaped like birds, and toy monkeys which could slide down a string ( Wikipedia, Toy ).

Why do kids like toys?

Toys. They come in all shapes, sizes, styles, and purpose. There’s the puzzle, the action figures, the Barbie, cars, kitchen play, the blocks, and so forth. There’s a million, and maybe a billion of different types of toys out there in the world; and still, more are being created. It’s a children-consuming industry! Some children feel they need to have a particular toy in order to be happy while others feel that they must have a certain toy in order to play ( Walker and White, p. 147 ). However, why do kids like toys in the first place? Here’s a clip from YouTube with some responses from some kids about what toys they like:



Toys just don’t have to be the usual action figures or the dolls, it can be educational toys like those musical books, or building toys, or those put together things. It’s a must have item in everyone’s collection. So, what makes a good toy?

v Appropriate for the child
v Appealing and interesting
v Suitable for all ages or certain age group
v Safe!
v Proper for the child to use
v Be used in multiple ways --- both mentally and physically

Toys are chosen by the kids through interest, the purpose of the toy, and how fun it will be. For instance, cartoon character toys. They are the most widely distributed toys across the market and most produced. One reason why kids like cartoon character toys is because the figures are familiar. Most kids only want the toys that depict the characters on their favorite shows and they may watch these shows multiple times every week. If a child regularly watches a half-hour cartoon show that comes on every weekday, they are being exposed to the characters on that show for over 10 hours every month ( Nutt ).

I have a younger sister who is turning 5 years-old on May 11th. She loves to draw and play make believe with her school toys and kitchen ware toys. Every morning before I head off to class, I always find her pretend school toys laying on the ground and I’d ask her, “What are you playing?” and sometimes she will give me the answer, “I play school. Can I go too?” I notice that toys enhance not only her urge to want to go to school but also the fact that it’s something she can allow herself to use a learning based.

Role of Toy Play

So, how do children benefit from toy play? Of course, one may agree that the importance of toy play enables one child to become creative, both mentally and physically. It allows for the child to use their imagination and perform it using their body language and maybe even use speech for dialogues. Young children can interact and learn how to approach with toys and materials --- in such cases as language learning and social development. The importance of toy play in early infancy and childhood contributes to their learning skills. From the moment that they are born, children face the most difficult task of learning how to crawl, walk, talk, use the potty, and grow up by themselves.

However, toy play serves multiple purposes in both humans and animals. They provide the entertainment and excitement while fulfilling an educational role. As White and Walker stated in their chapter, Toys, Play, and Learning:

“Toys are the tools of children’s play. Toys influence play. Toys of value enhance children’s own ideas. They help the child to engage in imaginative, meaningful play by allowing them to solve the problem. Sometimes the toys they choose are ones they are already familiar with or have played with before. Other times a toy is chosen because it is new and presents lots of challenges ( p. 144 ).”

The role of toy play is very essential since it also enhances the cognitive behavior and stimulate creativity of a child‘s mind. It helps them to develop their reading skills, use of language to talk in communication, and have a clear understand of what language actually is. Pretend play or make believe is highly influence by toy play. The use of tools, dolls, and personalized home-based materials encourages the children to explore the realms of expressing creativity and the use of imagination.

Children with physical disabilities have a more difficult time in locating and tracking objects in their environment due to poor head control, absent or poor locomotor skills preclude to exploration and manipulation of toys and play materials, and the lack of fine motor skills prevents these children from reaching, grasping, and releasing objects ( Unknown, Toy Play ). However, they can also benefit from such toy play as everyone else. The use of toy play can help them learn one step at a time. The role of toy play with children of disabilities allows the children to also build the same needs as the normal children but at a slower rate. However, this does not mean that toy play has no effects on them compared to the normal children. Toy play provides them same things as everything else.

Nonetheless, the role that toy play has on society and humans is essential to everyday life. It is something that is indispensable! Through toys and play, they are able to set themselves apart from reality and escape to their own world. In truth, make believe is the best way to express toy play because it involves the child using toys to build speeches and use dialogue to create a story. I, for one, loved playing make believe when I was in grade school. My sisters and I would loved to play house. We would pretend that our stuff animals were our babies or other siblings. I was always the older one (because I am the oldest of my siblings) and played the motherly figure. My sisters and I would pull out our toys and use them as anything --- because it’s all about using your imagination. You can never go wrong when it comes to pretending because that’s what toy play is all about.

Toys --- A Fundamental Learning Tool

Although toys may have the benefit of doubts, toys have a very special place in all of the children’s lives and perhaps even in adults. Teachers and educators can use toys as a way to help communicate between the student and themselves. There are thousands of ways that an educator can use toys as a fundamental learning tool. Toys can teach a child to:

v Solve problems
v Be creative and use their imagination
v Figure out how things work
v Communicate
v Cooperate with other people
v Build strength
v Encourage new ideas
v Differentiate between shapes and colors and sizes

In a classroom, if a child is more playing with a toy, the more they are most likely to be educated in some way. Educational toys may sometimes sound boring in a person’s mind, but you may never know until you try it out for yourself. Educators can learn to incorporate toys in all subjects, if possible, to teach lessons of the day or illustrate a visual learning system that can help the child to further their education.

Math
During a math lesson involved problem solving of going shopping, the use of fake money (dollars, quarters, nickels, dimes, and pennies) can enable a child to compute the total or to help find the difference on how much they will receive back as change. It can also become handy when dealing with arithmetic. For example, using hardwood unit cubes or blocks as a way to show how one can add or take away or double the amount or take half the amount, or they can teach a child about geometry and balance. Math, especially, can use tools to help demonstrate and be a visual aid to those who needs that extra learning step.

Reading
Although much can not be used in reading, teachers want to make sure that their students understand the story and the main idea behind it. The use of toy to illustrate a story also helps develop essential understanding in reading skills. A good example of toy use in reading would be my first grade teacher. She used stuff animals to make the story of “The Tortoise and the Hare” become real in our mind.

My teacher brought in her own turtle and rabbit and used them along while she read the story to the entire class. I thought this was a good idea because she wanted us have a good imagination or picture of the story in our mind. Besides acting out a book with doll figures and stuff animals, word puzzles and reading board games can help children to also appreciate words and literature as a fundamental necessity needed in life.

Arts and Crafts, and Hands-On
One of the most fun things about using a toy in class are toys that involve arts and hands-on. Art fosters creativity and build skills that may lead a child to seeing the wonders and beauties of life. Play dough, clay, paint, and all those other art materials allows the child to create from their own ideas a masterpiece like no other. Hands-on toys and items enable the child to figure out how the product works, observe the purpose and attain possible outcomes.

Educational Toys
Blocks. Alphabet magnets. Flash cards. Shape matching boards. Board games. You name it, they’ve got it. Of course, toys can be all play but they also serve a purpose of fulfilling the educational need. Leap Frog provides one of the best educational and learning toys out there for kids from infancy to 18 years of age. For more information about what toys they sell, you can visit their website here: http://www.leapfrog.com/en/shop.html.

Educational toys include anything from stickers to books to science kits. These toys are used to inspire children to learn, using a fun, easy process. Most books focus on a particular subject or aspect, such as opposites, the alphabet, or animals. Another popular activity offered at educational toy stores are board games, which usually focus on letters and numbers, as well as teaching the necessities of sharing and taking turns. Electronic games are also popular because they take all of the "work" out of working
( Epand ) .

Putting It All Together
According to White and Walker, children are born consumer-drivers. From the moment of birth, they receive toys as gifts from their friends, family, and relatives as a expression of love and happiness. Toy manufacturers spend millions of dollars on toy advertisements in the media to children ( p. 146 - 147 ).

Parents and educators are highly encouraged to understand the importance of what toys can bring into a child’s life and become a part of their toy play moment as well. As they observe the children play with toys, there is an overcoming whelm of happiness and joy because the parents may see to it that their child is able to find their happiness with the toy and learn to use it as well as gain valuable insights on what interests their child. While the child develops, they too can build a reassurance that their parents respects their imagination and allows them to take charge. Children will always be children; they will buy all sorts of different toys for all sorts of different reasons but many choose a toy based on how interesting it may be or if it’s something that they can cherish for a long period of time.

It seems to be that toys have both the benefits of bringing out a child’s imagination and the benefit of helping them learn. Although many say that a child should not waste his or her time on playing with their toys --- personally, it’s up to those who play with the toy on whether they want to play or not. Toys bring not only fun but essential learning processes they helps them to progress and achieve their development.






WORK CITED
Epand, Victor. "Using Educational Toys Outside the Classroom." Using Educational Toys Outside the Classroom. 21 Oct. 2008. EzineArticles.com. 30 Apr 2009 <http://ezinearticles.com/?Using-Educational-Toys-Outside-the-Classroom&id=1606416>

Nutt, Amy. "Why Kids Like Cartoon Character Toys." Why Kids Like Cartoon Character
Toys. 15 Oct. 2007. EzineArticles.com. 30 Apr 2009 <http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-Kids-Like-Cartoon-Character-Toys&id=784038>

Unknown. "Toy Play in Infancy and Early Childhood: Normal Development and Special Considerations for Children with Disabilities." 30 April 2009 <http://idea.uoregon.edu/~ncite/documents/techrep/tech11-2.html>

Food, Food, Food....Food as Culture

Food allows us to experience and sample cultures different from our own without leaving our homes; it serves as a means of transporting, transforming, and maintaining cultures (p. 131)

Personal Thoughts...

I agree. The most productive and essential need of all living things that exists; even micro-organisms. Food, food, food, food. That’s everyone’s talk. Without it, can we even exist? Maybe if we can survive on water…but I don’t think so. However, in this chapter with a title “Dark Side of Food” puts me to think more in depth of how it has influenced every culture and its individual. The main thesis of this chapter tends to have a critical focus on "Women and Food". For once, I can actually say, What the F?! This whole chapter makes women look like the victim of all foods out there. What about men?! As I was reading, in my mind I was thinking that this is such a big contradiction. I can understand, that yes, food has affected the female image but this chapter just made women look bad. I am disappointed.


The Connection...

So, White and Walker stated that, "Women have used food as a vehicle to nurture and care for others; they have used food as a symbol of friendship and love" (p. 133). Then further adds, "...refers to food as a metaphor for the emotional lives of women" (p. 133). I can't say that I agree with this from personal experience. This may be true to some people, but not me. I love to cook. I make candy, eggrolls, spring rolls, fried rice, cabbage rolls, stir-fry, and your typical asian food, that includes Hmong food, too. I don't use food as a metaphor for my emotional life. I do use food as a vehicle to nurture and care for others because I feed them, I have to feed them. Basically, I think that everyone uses food as a symbol of friendship and love, that includes men!

For example:
It's your anniversay and you want your women to have the best night of her life to remember. So you decide to cook her favorite meal, and you know she'll love it because it was made by you. The same can go for women. Am I not right?

Girls and Food...

At first, I thought I was going to read about different foods in different cultures and how they relate to being used as a popular culture but I was WRONG! I wasn’t surprised to read about issues of eating disorders and the advertising media --- I see this everyday and I know, you all do too. From my personal experience, I’ve had friends who would always “I’m going on a diet” or “Dude, I’m too fat” or “I wanna be skinny like you.” Sometimes, I think to myself, “Why can’t you be pleased with your body? Maybe it’s not the best, but that’s what makes you look good.” I, myself, am a skinny girl who weighs less than 100 lbs. But this is something that I cannot do because I have high metabolism --- it’s genetic. I even try to gain weight! No matter how much I eat or try to eat, I can’t gain weight fast as everyone else. But I’m not like those girls who always think about their body image. I am satisfied with my body and how I look. And everyone should too because that's what makes you, YOU!

"Popular television glorifies thin as sexy, successful, and happy....young women with perfect bodies and faces who look great in small bathing suits" (p. 134). The media press lots of pressure on the image of the "perfect body". No one has the perfect body, in my opinion. It all depends on what your daily activities. Even supermodels are not perfect even though they seem like it. Think about all the weight lifting, excerising, eating plans that they have to go through just to get that image --- that's a long time. I think all this eating disorder and trying to loose weight and dieting is going way too far into people's brain. I'm not trying to say that you should stop dieitng and get fat, but what I mean is that you have the power to take control of what you eat. For instance, if you want to eat 3 burgers, go a head but you should also at the same time drink water (because it helps flush out all the bacteria in your body) and on the side, have some fruits (I love eating fruits) or green veggies.

Connection to Education...
In relation to education, I do agree that physical education is the harsh ; "they are forced to dress out and reveal their not so small bodies to a critical audience" (p. 139). I’ve seen fat people get picked or teased just because they are fat --- and it’s not a nice thing to see. I think that school should stress out a little bit more information about being healthy at any weight. During lunchtime, school should offer a salad bar or something nutritious such as more fruits besides the usual apple and orange. "Healthy eating habits and nutrition should be presented along with facts about eating disorders. School should food service departments need to plan and offer food that tastes good and market it in such a way to make students want to eat it" (p. 140). Most importantly, I think that teacher's should educate on the benefits of healthy eating and exercising to the body because it not only helps you maintain a healthier lifestyle but it'll make you feel good about yourself as well. I'm starting on my own healthy eating such as cutting back on the fast foods because all that fatty and oily food is not good for the body, and plus, it'll make me hungry another 2 hours later, so it really doesn't fill my stomach that much.

Anyways, before I end my blog, I just want to point out that the use of food and body image has done too much to affect the individual. Personally, you should avoid their message of "If you want to be this thin, then take this or that." All those weight loss pills, are they that effective?! Really, instead of spending $34 plus S & H, why don't you just make up your plan? It's less expensive.

Reality Check: Be proud of your body, be proud of what you eat, and be proud that you're surviving because of food. Don't let those model bodies get to your brain because they are just like you.

Possible Final Project Idea

I'm really clueless about what to do for the final project...basically, haven't thought about it yet but I should now. This course has opened up my mind to think beyond the thinking box and look at society closely on how we use everyday culture to benefit education. I never thought about it before until now. So, I want to just do a plain and simple final project --- I'm thinking about this for me:

A critical analysis (maybe a analysis paper instead) of toys and education. I'm going to focus on three main ideas/targets:

1) what makes toys so raving that it make kids buy them

2) the role toys play in popular education

3) importance of incorporating toys as a fundamental learning tool to be used in teaching

In this course, we've certainly covered several interesting topics of popular culture and examined them critically. However, I want to go depth more on one topic, that's why I decided to choose toys. I believe that there is more to a toy than using it as a demo for lessons or enhancing a child's education or being the child's entertainment. I'll be drawing my resources from Tooning In and the website provided by Professor Thom when he sent us the assignment. I'll probably us other outside sources as well, but I'll list them as I use them. In addition, multimedia and visual aids will be provided.

<3 Mai

Mee Vang: Peb Haiv Hmoob

This is a response to Kari's request:

Q: I love that you posted the Hmong song! Can you say a bit about what she is singing about and who the people are in the video with her?

A: First of all, I apologize because there is no English translation to this and you probably have no idea of whatsoever she is singing about. Secondly, she is one of my favorite singers in the Hmong culture, and I love this song. Mee (the singer) make travels there to make her music videos and visit her families. This is common among the Hmong culture that we tend to stay in touch with our close families.

So, in this song, Mee is singing about the Hmong people who live in the mountains in Thailand and Laos. They live in poverty among the mountain ranges in poor condition. Many tears of sorrow fill their hearts that they have to live like this everyday(I personally think it's heartbreaking because that's my people). They only have little to eat everyday such as rice, green vegetable with salt and small chili peppers. And then, she repeats the song again. In the last line that she sings: vim tsis muaj leej twg yuav paub txog ; it's translated into: because no one knows about it.

This is the lifestyle that the mountain people have to deal with everyday. They only farm for living and only about a few of the children will actually get a decent education. I felt that this song was more like an awareness that we shouldn't take anything for granted. We, here in the US, have many opened doors to a world of many opportunities while there are still many out there struggling in a dark shadow trying to reach out to the light. ( I hope that made sense. )

Hopefully this help!

<3 mai

Music to my...your ears!

"Music is my soul and passion. It is what holds my thoughts and desires. Without it, we're nothing but deadless souls."

I was surprised to find articles in Tooning In that deals with popular music. Fascinating, eh?! Well, apparently music is everything and everywhere. It's so universal! Everyone use it, no matter where they go, no matter what they do, music is essential. It may not seem like it but just any sound of beat is music; in the advertisements on television, the introduction of the weather channel, the radio, anything. If you think about it, how many people can you think of that hates (maybe hate is too harsh, what about DISLIKES) the sound of music? I barely know anymore who dislike music. All my friends love music, and they always say, "It's their favorite hobby" or "Music is me"; you get the point.




Thoughts
As for myself, music is words to my ears. I love listening to music because it allows me to feel what the singer or creator is feeling, whether it's cheerfulness or saddness. Most of the time, I only listen to the music and not the words because I use music as a study energy to set my atmosphere; whereas everything is calm, at peace, and disaster - free. I'm a traditional, plain girl who listens to music that fits into the mood. I listen to more Asian songs and hip-hop and soul, but also rap when I just want to be in that "rap" mood. I know --- what is she talking about, right?! Anyways, Hmong songs are what I mainly listen to everyday. Many songs relate to love, family crisis, and wartime. From my perspective, the Hmong music speak to its listeners; just for the fact that someone can actually relate to it. This is the same with any cultural music. For example, this song is about the Hmong people who lives along the mountains in Laos and Thailand. I feel that it's awareness to show us that people live basically anywhere and this is how they live.



Tooning In, Chapter 4 and 12:
As I was reading the each chapters, I notice how they each focused on one specific topic. Chapter 4 strikingly takes my breathe away as it describes how pop culture is experiencing the realm of criticism although it has not effectively dominanted our lives. Chapter 12 notes how the role of media and music makes its connections with social studies. However, I think that when it comes to teaching music, music should teach music and social studies should teach social studies, unless the teacher is a combination of both subjects then, that's a different story. In correlation, these two chapters highly speak of something that everyone knows of: MUSIC! Music itself as a multimedia growing industry, images off the societial issues that occurs everyday in our own backyard. Words not only reflect off the creators voice but perhaps the many other voices that cannot be heard.

Quotes that caught my eyes:
"The growth of socially relevant music that leads to increased involvement and activism is an outcome of a variety of recent events including the Bush presidency, 9/11, the war in Iraq, the perceived role of the United States in the world and issues related to social justice" (p. 39)

"A strong argument can be made that pop culture has become the most influential education institution for our children in society, and many seem quite frustrated by this" (p. 40)

"It is not only a reflection of culture and the times, but it is also often an active force in societal change" (p. 40) ---> I love this one!

"Issues related to capitalism, globalization, music choices, hegemony as the driving force, marketing, and how each related to social efficacy could easily be integrated in schooling as well as we attempt to faciliate critical and active participation in society" (p. 43)

"Music is a natural intrinsically motivating factor in our lives and should be celebrated for its potential in promoting social efficacy and activism" (p. 47)

"Music is universal language, or so the saying goes" (p. 111)

"Using music to enhance learning, to connect issues and the times in history, to illustrate a cultural identity, or to promote unity for a cause is not a foreign concept" (p. 117)


Music + Education = Creativity

I believe that children are best learners when it comes to music; somehow, the words and rhythm of the beat just seems to flow into their minds and sit there in their brain forever. It's beautiful art made by imagination because it's something that anyone can create on their own and in their own special way. Most importantly, intergrating popular music into the classroom not only gives the teacher an opportunity to learn about their students but also the effectiveness within the classroom itself. I sometimes find it hard to believe for myself, but I think students stay more calm and obedient when they listen to music (that's age appropriate and school approved). Last semester, I volunteered at New Millennium Academy in the 7th grade, I didn't know what to expect from the students at all. They were all shy and not even talking to me. My job was to help the students who were more slow and help them learn more english at the same time. So, one day I was left with a substitute and was totally helpless but luckily, I had access to the teacher's laptop. I remember asking the students if they want me to put on some music to put them into "working mode" and before I knew it, everyone was like shouting at me about what song to put on. I was amazed at how one word, music, can start such a conversation. We all spent about a good ten minutes debating on the best song to put on. Even the substitute teacher put in her opinion.



Popular culture gives us a great way to understand how students think and respond to anything they learn, and popular music plays a major role in a students learning ability. For instance, I know everyone has gone through this phase of learning their alphabets with the ABC song. My baby sister, who is only 4, sings this song everyday while she smacks these alphabet magnet letters onto the refrige. I find it annoying sometimes but it makes me happy to know that she's being learning something good. Music can be educational and it can make young children, such as my sister, become involved in a musical world where learning is essential and fun!

Because a music is a vital component of youth's popular culture preferred over even movies and television, the teacher's understanding and application of popular music can be a powerful tool for teaching and learning in social studies education (p. 111).

So far within this course...

This blog is nothing but jibberish and my personal thoughts/opinions about this class so far within the semester. This is my "FIRST" online class experience (and it's actually going better than I imagined). So, whatever I write on here are just personal thoughts and I mean no harm to anyone (I promise!). I'm going to make it short, so here goes nothing:

Honestly, I tend to forget this class! (I know --- that's TERRIBLE!) BUT I'm always checking my Umail (hahaha...Umail...Sorry, I'm being lame right now) and I also have another blog that I have to manage for my Japanese class as well. So, I'm on top of things...(I think?!). Plus, I'm horrible at remembering things like this...luckily, I'm into the habit of checking my e-mail almost every two to three hours (I know --- that's CRAZY!) but it works for me!

My most feared thought about taking this course: AM I GOING TO PASS?! That's always been my #1 fear when I registered for this class. I "think" because it's an online class and I never took an online class before, so I don't know what to expect. I've heard from many of my friends who took online classes said that it's an easy "A". But to tell you the truth, it's not an easy "A". It's a lot harder than going to class and seeing your professor lecture away. You have to keep track of your work everyday, check your e-mail for responses, tasks, homework, whatever. It's twice for what you're asking for. But thanks to Professor Thom, who sends our grades and comments via e-mail and voicemail, I, at least, know that I am passing and doing well so far (^_^) so, kudos to you!

The best part of this course is reading everyone's blogs! I love how everyone expresses their opinions on the topics. I can find humor, deep thoughts, seriousness, and hard effort being put into making these blogs. I know that I sound corny but you would probably think the same thing. I like how everyone is different and express in their own unique way (That's the good thing about this class too = everyone's different!). When I'm reading the blogs, I always find two to three things that I find interesting from the topic and think to myself, "Oh, I never thought of that" or "S/he is right!" So, kudos to everyone in the course!!!

Overall, as for the course itself, I'm learning and that's all that I need. I feel that I also taught myself a lot more through reading the classmate blogs (weekly) and just writing these 2 to 3 page blogs. I sometimes tend to find myself sitting on my bed going crazy trying to start a real smooth introduction. Later I find myself just writing whatever to start it. (Thank goodness this can be informal writing =.= ) I am satisfy with this class even though I only communicate through online services. It may not be much help, but hey, who wouldn't want to take a chance at online courses?! So, I am pleased to take this course.

And, oh yeah, the picture...I just found it amusing.

Fake News? Real News?

On the image (left): I was browsing on Google and found this, which I thought was funny. Love his expression and interperration of a bat boy ^_^


This week is on "Fake News". That's a topic to think about. I barely have any time to watch the news or read newspapers anymore since I'm on a tight schedule (school, work, problems at home, the life, whatever) and yet, I find myself trying to update on everyday events.

Fake news in a political stand, according to the article written by Andrea Janus, Researchers from Ohio State University found television viewers who watch fake news programs are less informed about issues and candidates in election campaigns than those who watch network news shows. This article has a strong stand point on how entertainment shows (or mock news show) don't provide our local viewers the "best way to learn about political candidates and issues" --- and to tell the truth, it's true. I'm a very neutral person when it comes to politics and government. If the media has to make something interesting to catch the viewers attention, then go ahead. The public can only handle so much information that is bias and legitimate that sometimes, they need a break from it.

So, what can make of "fake news" in general? Maybe the fact that it's used a source to bring some excitement and enjoyable news to a reader's mind. If you think about it, at times like this where the economy is unstable, wouldn't you rather laugh than stare at the news making comments on unemployment increases?! Sooner or later --- fake news will be a big popular culture one of these days. Anyways, I think that fake news are fun. Yeah, if all the news that surround us was ALL FAKE, it'll be problematic of course. On the other hand, why can't we As I read all the articles for this week, they really got me thinking about where to draw the line between what's real and what's fake. Such entertainment shows as The Daily News and The Colbert Report have gained in popularity in the past years, but who knows how long they've been doing fake news in the industry. They practically provide their show viewers a humorous opinion on our politicans, which I also find amusing myself. However, whose to say that everything in life must be serious and real?! In general, fake news pokes out to us those need-to-make-you-laugh things that we never think of when it comes to society.

A few thoughts on "Fake News" out there:

The Onion First off, I would never (ever) imagine that the Onion was one. The first time that I actually opened the paper and read it, I thought it was simply hilarious. Now, this "fake news" is something that can enjoyable. Because of my busy schedule and life, I've only read the Onion once in a long time but I found that there were some interesting topics to get me thinking...hahahaha....they usually made my day, too. I don't have nothing against it now or later, it's fake news but hey it's a GOOD laugh! Don't you agree with me?

Lately, I have been receiving these short texts on my cellphone. They seem to be short little facts or something, but I don't know. It's always asking for me to call this one number for help...so yeah. Sometimes, I think that are all fake and yet, they sound so real. WHICH makes me think twice about deleting it for the moment. For example:

I got this 3/10/2009:
Mailmen in Russia now carry revolvers after a recent decision by the government.
In reality, fake news is no different than the news that we hear or read everyday. I am a very gullible person, who will believe anything (that's if I don't know anything about it) and still, I don't believe everything I see or hear on the news.

In relation to education, I think it is okay to incorporate some fake news into a class lesson. It make's the students think more critically and bring some humor into the atmosphere. Not only is it humor, but fake news or real news allows the students individually to connect to the outside socieities surrounding them. In addition, if we don't help students to think for themselves on how the media presents such current events, how will they learn to identify the difference later in the future? Then again, students can approach these fake news with questions and opinions as they do to everything else that they do.

Well, that's all for now...