What if this talented child were in your class? Do you think he should be attending school or starting in on his musical career full-time? He was originally discovered by the general public on YouTube, and now is a famous musical star with television appearances and over 2 million viewer fans on YouTube. How are social media sites, like YouTube, one of the most popular, defining culture? Do you think this YouTube should be shown in public school classrooms?
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8 comments:
Since I DVR Ellen every day, I recognized Greyson Chance immediately upon opening your blog. Your questions are thought-provoking. I watched Chance say goodbye to his classmates, and watched the classmates watch Chance perform on Ellen last week. I was scanning the classmates' faces and trying to read their expressions. It must be an oversized bag of mixed emotions for both Chance and his friends at school. Funny enough, he said in his interview that even after two weeks, (since his "Paparazzi" performance on Ellen) he could scarcely take it all in:)
I assume he will be tutored privately on the road, and I have little doubt that a quality academic education can be gained in this manner. Will he miss out on a great deal of "normal" socialization? Definitely! But something tells me Greyson Chance's social life could not have previously been described as "normal" anyway. (Whatever that means.)
It is a shame, in a way, that this whole fame fishbowling thing exists in the first place, but it does. It would be nice to think that Greyson could have continued to inspire from within the public school system, but it's just not the way of reality. Hey, those talented Glee kids aren't really attending public high school, either:) And yet, life continues to imitate art...
I have often thought about this particular topic before... a few years ago I had the pleasure of teaching a very talented student in my class. The talent was unreal. I knew someday that this kid was going to make it and perform on Broadway. A year and a half later the student's mother e-mailed me and guess what? Yep, Broadway! Amazing! I wasn't the least bit surprised. Knowing this child I felt in my heart that Broadway was the right call, even as an educator. It's funny how a perspective can change if you are emotionally connected. If I had not had this experience or connection with this individual and family I would have 100 percent agreed with Jenny G.
I know... it sounds crazy!!!
However, we hear about stories all of the time about child stars and how it can really hurt or damage them in the long run. That part is really scary. Fame is a dream for many, but it can really be harmful.
I think Jenny G and C make some important points. I am sure as well that he will receive a quality education on the road with private teachers - probably a better education then most public school students. He is an incredibly talented kid so why not ride the wave while it's happening? But then I think of Gary Coleman and the tragedy of his life, and a multitude of other child stars and I can't help but wonder what else "the wave" does to them. What is the difference between the ones that survive and the ones that don't?
I think that fame is a double edged sword. Yes, he will have a great education by the best private tutors and have the experience of a lifetime. BUT from a developmental point of view I think that this is extremely detrimental. Greyson is in his early teens. This is a time, for normal teenagers, full of confusion and trying to figure one's self out. This is difficult under normal circumstances let alone under the microscope of the world. He will probably feel greater pressure and feel like he has more to loose if he doesn't do what the record companies and management companies want from him. This is quite unfortunate as they don't have his best interest in mind. They are looking at what is good for them and what can make them money. However, I think that he will have less Hollywood pressure being a male than if he was female. I feel as though many more female stars end up on the cover of gossip magazines for mental breakdowns or drug abuse than male stars. I think in part because of the pressure to be sexy and perfect.
If Greyson were my student I would have a mixed bag of emotions for him. I would partly be glad that he could live his dream but sad at what could happen to him. I would rather see a talented student go to broadway or some other media outlet that doesn't have paparazzi falling them around, yet they can still put their talents to good use.
In regards to Victoria's question, I personally think family morals are what make or break a kid. If the family is very supportive and prohibits the media companies from putting their child in bad situations, I think the child will fair better.
I realize my post is very opinionated and would love to hear other's ideas and opinions on this matter.
Chance should definately receive some sort of schooling. He could be tutored or take on-line classes. The focus should be his music career especially since he is so talented.
At this point in time YouTube should not be available to students in school. It is very difficult to control what the students are looking at. Since there are no options to limit some of the material viewed that can be inappropriate, schools should wait to use this technology in the classroom.
Most of these young musicians like Chance and other young actors are homeschooled or their parents hire professional tutors. They still get an education. I don’t have a problem with kids being homeschooled. I grew up with a lot of kids that were Christian homeschoolers and befriended several people in college that were homeschooled. The only issue I have observed with homeschoolers is that they often are not able to socialize with people their own age. If a young artist is traveling and working, I have a feeling that they will definitely be able to have ample opportunities to socialize with other children their own age.
Chance will need to continue some form of schooling, whatever his parents seem fit. It is said that he is no longer normal or living the normal childhood, but like Jenny said I doubt that this students ever was really "normal" or what society defines as normal. Once any students enters the public eye, whether that is through YouTube or the Mickey Mouse club they lose all rights to privacy. Do I agree with this maybe not but that is the way it goes.
As to the question should YouTube be allowed in the classroom, I feel that if the teacher can use a video for a lesson then yes allow it for educational reasons. I can remember we were having a professional development day and wanted to watch a clip from a motivational speaker and we could not access it from YouTube. I find that crazy.
This kind of video can be uplifting for students to recognize that talents come in many forms. however I don't know and don't think that a very talented person does not need a formal education. School teaches so many aspects of daily and social life that I would be very worried if that talented young man was my own son. But then, what is one supposed to do with so much talent?
The solution might lay in specialized schools where students can receive both formal instructions and opportunities to develop a particular talent.
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