Prior to reading this chapter, I had no idea what memes were. I learned that memes are contagious patterns of "cultural information" that gets passed from mind to mind and directly generate and shape mindsets and significant forms of behavior and actions of a social group. Memes include such things as tunes, catch phrases, clothing fashion, architectural styles, ways of doing things, icons, jingles and etc. Memes are recognizable, bounded phenomena that have material effects in the world and that can be scrutinized.
As I was reading I kept asking myself, what does this have to do with "new" literacy. The study that was presented found that if educators study online memes that aim at promoting social critique. These new literacies can help educators to equip students with important strategies for identifying the memes that infect their minds, and for evaluating the effects these memes have on their (ethical) decision-making, social actions and their relations with others.
As I reflect back on this chapter, I find these things to be true. The things and people that we surround ourselves with define us. Whether it be what we watch, what we read, or who we spend time with. These things and people get in to our minds and before we know it we look and act alike. They influence our decisions without us even realizing that they have control over us.
Before reading this chapter, I had heard of memes but did not know what they really are. We copy and share memes all the time via social networks and do not even realize it. Great reflection!
ReplyDeleteTina, I was also clueless about memes before this week! Memes are everywhere in today's society. We see them on TV, on Facebook and on Pinterest as well. They do affect our day to day life as well as our students' lives. I hope their influence is a good one!
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