This weekend my dad told me about Meghan McCain's blog. Meghan is presidential hopeful John McCain's daughter. She is traveling with her father on the campaign trail and blogging about her experiences. So sitting at home sick on Tuesday, I decided to check out her blog. I initially thought it is a great behind the scenes look at the presidential race from one family's experience. But upon more reflection (thanks Priscilla and Dawn), I realized it was so much more.
It is a great example of the current young generation's usage of technology within their world. Several years ago, someone wanting to document life on the campaign trail might keep a journal. If they were really industrious, they might make a scrapbook including pictures, clippings, etc. It would be shared only with those closest to the creator. Meghan's "journal" is a complete multi-media experience. She includes video footage produced by a friend also tagging along, photos of scenery, the crew of people involved in the campaign, and the public, playlists of songs appropriate to the experience as well as personal favorites, links to other articles or items of interest, and blogs by friends and family filling in when she takes a break. Her experience is being shared with people all over the globe.
Not only that, but as a teacher, I can see the value of her blog in an educational capacity. First, showing students the strictly technological side of "look at what a blog can be." But second, I think it is a great way to get older students interested in the presidential race. Meghan's additions of pop culture (such as songs, makeup advice, and fashion commentary) make a somewhat dry topic such as politics more engaging for teens. And having read the entire blog, the most non G-rated element was the video blog where she was waiting for the results of the Florida primary and she said she was sitting in the hallway of the hotel drinking a beer. Pretty mild!
I'm only ten years older than Meghan McCain, but I am astounded at the ease with which her generation uses technology in ways that affect our world.
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2 comments:
What a great blog to find! I liked your thoughts so much, I had to share it with others. Wouldn't it be great if one of the candidates did this! Or CEO's of major corporate companies that could give advice to the public.
I quickly scanned McCain's blog, and I like from a technological perspective what I see. I will need to go back and check this out some more, but I think I now have a great resource to use in my upcoming blog workshop and something I can use with the Civics teachers in my building. Thanks so much for sharing!
What a good observation - so true! Blogs are become the new "journal"...I wonder if paper and pencil journals will become a thing of the past in our future?!
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