Summary of Censorship and Student Communication in Online and Offline Settings by Joseph O Oluwole and Preston C Green III

Explore the complexities of censorship in education with Oluwole and Green's engaging insights on student communication in digital and offline realms.

Ah, censorship-the ultimate party pooper of communication! In their scholarly escapade titled Censorship and Student Communication in Online and Offline Settings, Joseph O Oluwole and Preston C Green III dive headfirst into the murky waters of who gets to say what in a world that combines the digital age and traditional education. Spoiler alert: it's a lot more complicated than just "don't say that!"

The authors embark on a journey to dissect how censorship operates within the educational environment, both face-to-face and through those pesky online platforms where memes and debates abound. Think of it as "Jurassic Park," but instead of dinosaurs, you have school administrators and internet trolls.

First up, we have a fun little discussion on why censorship exists. Spoiler: it's not just because your school principal has a stick up their butt. Societal norms, legal regulations, and a good dose of fear all play a role. Whether it's overprotective parents making sure their little darlings aren't exposed to any harsh realities, or institutions trying to maintain their 'image', the motivation behind censorship is as diverse as the range of TikTok dances.

Next, Oluwole and Green dive into the methods of censorship. They explain how school policies can be as effective as a 'cone of shame' on an untrained puppy-often not quite effective, but hey, it looks good on paper! You'll find discussions on how educational institutions wield the power to limit what can be accessed online and how much communication is deemed "appropriate."

Then comes the thrilling section on the effects of censorship. Let's just say, it's a rollercoaster ride of missed communication opportunities and students feeling like they're living in a bubble. Imagine trying to solve complex social issues without getting the full picture-yeah, that's educational censorship for you. It's like trying to play Monopoly with half the rules missing: confusing, frustrating, and you'll probably end up flipping the board.

And speaking of flipping, the authors also tackle the impact of social media. What happens when the control over communication spills into the digital realm? Spoiler: #DramaAlert! Students become masters at finding ways around the censorship-using coded language, memes, or even carrier pigeons (okay, maybe not the last one, but still. creativity knows no bounds). They argue that while censorship may try to put a lid on things, the digital age is like that one friend who always brings too much to the party- you just can't stop it.

As we wrap up this rollicking academic adventure, Oluwole and Green remind us that, despite the best efforts to control communication, the spirit of freedom of speech often claws its way back to the surface. It's a complex battle, but one that's worth exploring-because who doesn't like a good debate about who gets silenced and why?

In summary, if you're looking for an insightful-ahem-"entertaining" deep dive into the do's and don'ts of student communication under the all-seeing eye of censorship, Censorship and Student Communication in Online and Offline Settings will not disappoint. Just remember: freedom of speech is great and all, but it's even better when you can actually express it!

Maddie Page

Classics, bestsellers, and guilty pleasures-none are safe from my sarcastic recaps. I turn heavy reads into lighthearted summaries you can actually enjoy. Warning: may cause random outbursts of laughter while pretending to study literature.