“As an anthropologist, I think of media maybe slightly differently than most people. I don’t think of it as content, or tools of communication. I think of media as mediating human relationships.” (Michael Wesch)

This quote stood out to be so fearlessly because it made me wonder – how does media actually mediate human relationships?

This video discusses the creation of Internet and specifically YouTube that has cascaded an entirely new form of expression and connection that does not compare to any previous media outlet such as the news or broadcasting.

Why not? Because the news is a lot like direct instruction – someone feeds you information (you likely believe they are smarter than you) and you are supposed to take that information and face value and believe it.

YouTube completely changed this dynamic – it was the first time we got to watch others just be “human” online.There was no script, no big professional words, no green screens – just people being themselves, not trying to convince you of anything or deliver a bunch of fearful stories.

One of the very first ways we all connected on YouTube was through viral dancing videos – HOW AMAZING! Wesch talks about how Gary from the “Numa Numa” video kickstarted this all. His noticeable zest for life and joyful energy spread like wildfire across YouTube were everyone began recreating videos to the same song.

Now, I’ve heard many things about the benefits of dance for your body and mind, but I’ve never known the specifics. After diving into the web, I found an article written by Harvard Medical School called “Dancing and the Brain” that discusses how dance has so many benefits for the mind and body that it’s actually being used to treat people with Parkinson’s disease. Talk about an amazing way to connect and actually improve your health! Media does things that we are incapable of – it actually allows people to make a positive impact on your life while not even being in the same room!

The power of YouTube became apparent quite quickly after Wesch uploaded his video on called “Web 2.0… The Machine is Us/ing Us” while collaborating with someone from Africa for the background music – one of the first examples of how media completely transformed our relationships as humans! We became connected in a way that now feels completely limitless.

Wesch also alluded to the fact that media causes us to rethink: copyright, authorship, identity, ethics, aesthetics, governance, privacy, commerce love, family, and ourselves.

As educators, this is extremely important because what we share, write, post, and interact with online is visible to everyone! It’s important to be self-aware in these scenarios because we know that “with great power comes great responsibility”.

We as teachers, are role models for young children. I think it is so important for us to utilize media in ways that are positive for children. There are so many different tools that can make class way more engaging and exciting compared to when I was in school.

For example, a simple game of Kahoot or using a Mentimeter allows ALL of your students (even the shy ones) to contribute and feel like they are a part of the conversation! During my pre-internship lesson last week – we analyzed the effects of media, specifically advertising. In order to get the students engaged, I started with a quick question that they all we’re excited to answer. Without worrying about spelling, being perfect, or having to raise their hand and wait to talk.

Here are the results:

We can use media to build community and relationships within our classrooms that previously did not exist. Many of our students will spend the day together and still continue texting, calling, Facetiming, or sharing content with each other in the evening – what a great way to build deeper friendships, share laughs together, and create stronger bonds that continue to grow without limits :).

I think this is especially important for kids who don’t have their licence yet or are unable to leave their home as freely due to parents work hours or commitments that may not allow them that freedom.

As teachers, I think it is so important to encourage healthy and positive media use, and show our students things that we enjoy to continue building our connection with them while simultaneously hoping they will do the same with their friends and peers 🙂