Convergence Culture

Convergence culture means that every media is connected to another media through the flow of content, ideas, relationships, and technological integration. Schools may be limiting kids' access to digital tools by not allowing some technology such as cell phones, and IPODS in the classrooms. Also some classrooms do not use comuter resources as much as they maybe should to allow their students to get more information on topics from internet resources. Some teachers are now allowing their students to "blog" with other classrooms or schools, which can help students because it gives them another source of editing coming from peers and or students older than they are. I think this is a good idea and can really help students. More teachers need to involve technology in their classrooms to help children get used to working with it. Also, children should what they should and shouldn't use in the media to research information. This will be useful for them later in life when they have to research for information. If only some students learn about the convergence culture then those who are familiar are going to succeed with the technology and media but those who are not familiar are going to fall behind the rest. Although students should have access to the internet and to its resources, they should also be monitored to ensure students are not abusing this right and uploading inappropriate material for others to view. The change in the participatory gap is not necessarily to change the curriculum and add another class to the children's schedule but to embed the skills into the classroom and in after school activities.