In the Bowers article, researchers partnered children and had them interact with the AIM program. This AIM program is an interactive website teaching students about how to treat others, and other socio-emotional topics. The AIM video showed real life examples of how teachers apply it in their classrooms, and how it benefits children of all ages. It shows how internet programs can provide children the space to have meaningful discussions about topics that can be hard to approach. The AIM project website was an interactive view into a friend’s conversation. This is reminiscent of real conversations that take place at school or at the park. The NPR podcast about Dora the Explorer explained how engaging the audience has made the show a success. In addition, her show was a cross-cultural bridge to be relatable to Latinx minorities as well as show new cultures to others.

I have a special connection to Dora since she helped me learn English. Personally, I watched Dora in Spanish with the pauses and explanations for words in English. Since Spanish was my first language, it was all I spoke at home. Dora helped me prepare for kindergarten. Later, I switched from Spanish based Dora to English based Dora. It really helped me realize my language skills were growing. In addition, it was one of the few characters I saw who looked like me. Her family even looked like mine. Thinking back now, that representation was very important considering I dressed up like her for Halloween for 3 years straight.

Do you agree that representation is important for children?

In the book “Secret Coders,” the plot follows the story of Hopper and her experiences at a new school with her friend Eni, who teaches her about programming and coding. Together, and with the addition of another friend, they work to unlock the secrets of the school as well as more about Hopper’s past. In the “Tapping Into Parallel Universes” article, the writers describe how the use of images as well as the language help to create a whole-picture description in the literary genre of comics. Comics use pop culture to touch on gender, social inequality, violence, and many other topics that relate to sociolofy and can form many useful conversations in the classroom. In the McCloud TEDx Talk, I noticed his connection of his passion of comics with his knowledge of technology, coming together to talk about the ineffencies and effencies of post-print comics. This connects to Yang’s TEDxTalk about the use of comics in the classroom. He mentioned his expereince with using comics to teach math, allowing students to learn visually and at their own pace, without looking at a screen, proving comics to be a uniquely helpful medium.

In the McCloud TEDx Talk, I was really moved by the moment where he said that at 14 years old, he was introduced to comics and then decided that was what he wanted to do when he grew up. Personally, I wanted to be a doctor up until I was 14. My parents were extremely proud of my goals and I was on track to do so in terms of my grades and extracurriculars. It was not until I met my Freshman English teacher that I realized teaching was truly my calling. My parents were initially dissapointed that I would not be a rich doctor and instead had to face the wrath of dealing with tough administration, unruly students, and impolite parents. Now, my parents have started warming up to the idea, espcially since they see how passionate I am about it. And when my students talk about wanting to be a writer or archeologist or pilot, I support them because I know how it feels to be told you shouldn’t pursue specific things.

What subject do you wish was in comic form? Why?

1. There are varying animation styles, topics of discussion, tones, and so much more. In some, I did notice people of different races, body types, and some were even like stick figures. However, they were all in English.

2. They have their own specific animating style as well as presentation. For instance, some were just complete scrolling for the continuation of plot while others made you click for the next page. In addition, it felt like some creative processes were for long run plots while other had a different story for each issue of the comic.

3. Some had very specific audiences since their topics were about JPEG’s so you had to know about that (I didn’t) (Xkcd). Another had a teenage boy as the main character, implying that was the age group, since they can relate most (Wormworld Saga). Others had their characters drawn in more risqué clothing items which leads me to believe the intended audience is older (Better Call Saul and Girls with Slingshots).

4. I did not bring ear phones to listen to some of the audio but I would make the comics interactive to where you could possibly click on a panel and it would read it aloud. That would allow people from the deaf community to enjoy at least another aspect of the comic as well as open the possibilities for what the author can include. For example, the narrator could say, “the restaurant was noisy,” and actual sounds of dishes clinking and people talking could play.

5. For starters, one would have to know about drawing characters and the concept design that comes with that. In addition, knowledge on how to move concepts from your head to an actual website and then publishing that is necessary. The technology piece just entails access to internet, technological supplies, and the technological literacy necessary.

6. I prefer to be directed to the first comic in the series. Personally, I like viewing things in chronological order so that I am sure I am getting every detail in the order the author intended. I was not really a huge fan of the youtube playlists because I prefer to have more control over the speed that I am reading.

7. I think there are more possibilities to use with an internet browser as your medium. There could be the inclusion of more interactive audios or make things free to access. You could also make it interactive like a choose-your-own adventure.

Throughout the various readings, videos, and podcasts, I noticed two themes: reading brings out joy and freedom and the space for reading what you desire should be supported in schools. Technology is a great tool for educators but many times, it is not being used to its fullest potential. Similarly, libraries provide countless options with all kinds of books at your fingertips but often go unthought of in day to day lives. And like the podcast was explaining, libraries are there for supporting the patrons. Another aspect of reading from the various assignments was the notion of relating to and questioning the text. Having the space to ask questions about the reading helps to think more critically about it, which in turn, promotes a deeper thinking and connection. When the characters or the issues in the story relate more to you, it is easier to make that connection as well.

Growing up, I loved reading. I would spend hours in the library after school so the readings and podcasts featuring libraries made me a bit nostalgic. Yesterday, I went to the library in my home town, the same one I’ve been going to since I was a kid, but the hours have been greatly reduced and the children’s section was almost empty of actual children. Libraries are gifts to our communities so I am making it a personal goal to go more often.

How has reading changed for you since childhood?

A common theme running through all of the assignment items was the importance of creating and free thought. According to the Project MUSE reading, the stories that we are exposed to, through varying forms of media, are not showing the full picture. In turn, this tends to leave out certain minorities, ideas, and movements. In the TEDtalk, the importance of making the space for art and creativity was stressed. By promoting creative activities in schools, children would gain the skills to think outside the box, allowing for a great addition to society now and in the future. And finally, in the third assignment, it was argued that we should be teaching students to produce, distribute, and invent new forms of media, rather than just consuming.

As I was reading and listening, I often found myself shaking my head in agreement. Since I work in an after school program, I like to make the time to introduce new ideas and crtical thought through debates or mini town hall meetings where students get the floor to simply ask any question. And often, they request art projects. Since supplies can get expensive, it is a personal project to find websites we can use on the school’s computers. Some current favorites are a website where you can make music beats and one where they make their own mandala design to print out and color. Growing up, I never really got opportunities to connect art to technology so I am really glad to have the resources to provide that to my students.

My question now is- how do you include art in your lives, especially those who consider themselves far from artists?

My name is Alicia and my major is English with a minor in Education. Alongside school, I work as an after school tutor for a free public school program called ASES. My responsibilities include ensuring homework is being understood and completed, allowing for unstructured free time to let creativity flow, and providing the resources and time for enriching projects and activities.

In my free time, I love to read, watch tv, and use social media. The last book I read was Call of the Wild, by Jack London, I am currently watching the television show Black-ish, and my favorite social media app is Instagram.