The Debate on Sesame Street
Postman (1985) stated, “Sesame Street” encourages children to love school only if school is like “Sesame Street.” Which is to say, we now know that “Sesame Street” undermines what the traditional idea of schooling represents.” In my own experiences, I never watch Sesame Street due to no television growing up, however, with saying that I feel Sesame Street does have a lot to offer. Just like in the TED talk, Widman discussed advantages and disadvantages to technology in the classroom, which could be looked through the same lens to view Sesame Street. To begin, Sesame Street was delivered through television and audio visual (AV) technology and although Postman (1985) states, “as a television show, and a good one, ‘Sesame Street’ does not encourage children to love school or anything about school. It encourages them to love television.” With the thought that television is always about television. However, as Sunder (2018) stated through his study was that, “audio-visual aids are very useful teaching and instructional as well as promotional aids” (p.1513). Although “television is always about television” I think that is wrong to say as Sesame Street looks beyond just reading and writing, it has the possibility of teaching kids’ tangible skills.
Definition of AV
Let’s begin by looking at what AV really means. According to Vario, AV is an abbreviation for Audio Visual, which is used to describe electronic media that possess an audio (sound) and visual (sight) component. AV technology refers to the actual equipment or tools that convey these components, such as lighting, projectors, speakers, and displays.
My Thoughts
My statement about Sesame Street teaching tangible skills lies in the statement that Widman said, that “technology is not a fad, there is no expiration date” meaning it is not going anyway. Kids born in the year 2000 to now, are digital natives meaning, they have never experienced the world without technology. Postman (1998) discusses how media tends to be mythical, meaning that our students may think of “our technological creations as if they were God-given, as if they were a part of the natural order of things” (p.4). They are perceived as nature to students and like Widman said, it is “less of a device that they possess and more of an environment that they inhabit.” Although, Sesame Street may just be a TV show, it opens the unimaginable as students’ picture what non-traditional school is; done through a TV show, as this is our reality today. Although, there could be harm when students strictly only want school just like Sesame Street, it opens the doors to create opportunities to be more willing to change and adapt, as an educator. Furthermore, as a mentor, “we must prepare students for the challenges of being digital natives. It is our responsibility to do what is best for the students as they have access to a phone in their pocket. Utilizing technology is less of a choice and more of a responsibility” (Widman).
Using personalized devices like YouTube, can change the way we might think about school as this provides the TV Platform, that one might see in Sesame Street. It became apparent to be through the AV presentation in my class tonight, that technology is only evolving and becoming more utilized in the classroom day to day. Below I have included a photo to demonstrate how much technology as changed (then vs. now), as discussed in the presentation. It really puts it into perspective how much technology has and will continue to evolve.
From the computer, to YouTube, to games, to practicing skills, technology provides endless opportunities for learning. Relating this to Sesame Street unveils that technology is transforming and a lot of our learnings and teachings are done through technology. This extended to the idea of integration of smartphones and BYOD in the classroom, as it seems most of my students have access to technology in their personal lives and are bringing it to school. It is without a doubt that when students leave the classroom, they will be accessing technology in other forms that we, as teachers, cannot limit. Looking at the last two years, I believe has really transformed educational technology and the benefits that it can offer. I do not think there is any harm in Sesame Street undermining what the traditional schooling may represent. After all, it is “our responsibility to develop digital literacy skills and become lifelong independent learners” (Widman).
Questions to Further my Understandings
My questions for you are do you agree with Widman about his statement “utilizing technology is less of a choice and more of a responsibility?” How do you think the implications of Sesame Street affects our youth today? Do you agree it can teach kids tangible skills or do you believe “television is just television?”
An Article To Further The Discussion - Postman
Learning in the Age of Television provided me with further insight about learning in the age of television, which would be directly related to Sesame Street. Postman states that "'Sesame Street' appeared to be an imaginative aid in solving the growing problem of teaching Americans how to read, while, at the same time, encouraging children to love school." I think this is worth the read if you want to dive in and discover more!
