iCarly

My school recently received funding for a technology grant and I was chosen to do the digital documentaries portion of it. I told my students about this and of course they were thrilled. What elementary student wouldn't want to be in a movie? So a student of mine who comes from a very rough home life and also has severe dyslexia came up to me and says, "Ms P does that mean we're getting a green screen too?" I was shocked! I know a lot of adults that don't know what a green screen is, let alone a student who struggles with basically every subject area. First I was actually a bit speechless and unsure how to respond. "What do you mean?" I ask. He says, "Like you stand in front of it and then the screen changes like you could be in space or under water all of a sudden." And I'm like, "How do you know this??"

"I watch iCarly"

Several of my students chirped in saying, "Oh yeah! I watch iCarly too!"

Of course! Why didn't I think of that? In case you haven't seen the show it's about a 13-year old girl who has a show on the Internet called iCarly which has made her an online celebrity. I've seen this show on just a couple of occassions and have often wondered who would watch it. Granted I was an avid viewer Full House/Saved by the Bell/TGIF (I could go on, but it'd probably be best if I didn't). Apparently my students watch it and it actually makes so much sense! It features lots of high-tech gear that kids think is cool. My student's green screen comment began to make me think about how most of my students learn more about modern technology from iCarly than they do in school...While it's great that my student's learning from this tv show, it's very disturbing that this is his only access to this type of technology.

Who watches iCarly? iShould.