To Blog or Not to Blog
According to Lorelle VanFossen on the subject of blogging, “It was called “online journaling” and some called it “web diaries” or “blithering idiots writing on the Internet”. I tried not to blither, but I just did what I knew and now am known for what I did and continue to do: blog.” (VanFossen, L. retreived 10.14.2010 from http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2005/08/29/learning-about-blogging-and-how-to-blog/). This is a good example of what a blog is or what it can be. Blogs are becoming more and more popular as people become more familiar with them.
Blogging is a way to keep your thoughts together in an electronic format. It is used as a way to share ideas with others and allow them to comment. Many people use blogs as a way to communicate with their families and keep everyone updated on things such as pregnancy or baby’s first steps. Blogs can be organized in a chronologic order of events (posts). Another use for a blog is a web diary. This is an electronic version of the well-known diary where you can log your thoughts, ideas, etc. There are also blogs that are used for conversing and exchanging opinions on a particular subject. While most people will use these for that purpose there are others that will use them to vent or as mentioned above, “blither”. The blogs I have looked at can be a good source of information. You can get opinions/comments on a particular vacation spot or movie or just about anything.
Reference:
http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2005/08/29/learning-about-blogging-and-how-to-blog/
World Wide Privacy
“Privacy is a complex concept that encompasses freedom of thought, control over one’s body, solitude in one’s home, freedom from surveillance, protection of one’s reputation, protection from searches and interrogation, and control over information about oneself (Solove, 2002).” (Kachhi, D. & Link, M. W. 2009)
Maybe it is still a good idea to take care of personal business in person. But the individuals that we interact with more than likely have internet access. Can anyone be trusted anymore? Maybe I am paranoid.
The only information that is truly ‘private’ is information that you have not shared with others. As more and more people world wide are gaining access to the internet, we are becoming a more exposed population. Filling out a simple job application can give so much information about a person. When applying for a job online, information is being submitting to a stranger. Most people use to trust that little padlock symbol near the bottom-right corner of a web page. But how secure is any given web site? According to research done at The Nielsen Company by Kachhi, D and Link, M, 22.9 % of 2,664 people surveyed were not very worried about internet privacy. The largest percent of people that were very worried are adults age 50 and older. My mother is over fifty and I trust her because she does not use the internet unless she is with me. And after my research I gather that I am not paranoid after all; I am just getting old.
References:
Kachhi, D., & Link, M. W. (2009). Too Much Information: Does the Internet Dig Too Deep?. Journal of Advertising Research, 00218499, Vol. 49, Issue 1.
Maybe it is still a good idea to take care of personal business in person. But the individuals that we interact with more than likely have internet access. Can anyone be trusted anymore? Maybe I am paranoid.
The only information that is truly ‘private’ is information that you have not shared with others. As more and more people world wide are gaining access to the internet, we are becoming a more exposed population. Filling out a simple job application can give so much information about a person. When applying for a job online, information is being submitting to a stranger. Most people use to trust that little padlock symbol near the bottom-right corner of a web page. But how secure is any given web site? According to research done at The Nielsen Company by Kachhi, D and Link, M, 22.9 % of 2,664 people surveyed were not very worried about internet privacy. The largest percent of people that were very worried are adults age 50 and older. My mother is over fifty and I trust her because she does not use the internet unless she is with me. And after my research I gather that I am not paranoid after all; I am just getting old.
References:
Kachhi, D., & Link, M. W. (2009). Too Much Information: Does the Internet Dig Too Deep?. Journal of Advertising Research, 00218499, Vol. 49, Issue 1.
Online High School, is it really a good idea?
How much easier are we going to make it for our teenagers? Technology has evolved to the point of where our children do not have to leave the house to obtain a high school diploma. Are we going to let children withdraw themselves from society? Teenagers today spend more time in front of the computer and video games. It is not as it was twenty or thirty years ago when children played make believe and the majority of their days were spent outside. For working parents how can they ensure that their son or daughter is doing the work and not sleeping? I am sure with any school there are mechanisms that are put in place to measure milestones. It is so much easier for people to hide behind a compute than it is to talk to someone face to face. In addition, people are likelier to be more insensitive online than they would be face-to-face. You are more likely to keep you manors than you are online. Below are some reasons why we should keep brick and mortar schools.
· None of the fun aspects of a traditional high school: For example, you won't have a prom, a graduation ceremony, etc.
· Classes can be difficult without a teacher: Many students find math to be a difficult subject especially when there is no one there to guide your studies.
· Self-discipline: Your only motivation is yourself so if you're the type of student that needs a firm kick in the rear to get started, online high school may not be for you.
· Isolation: You may have anti-social feelings because you are cut off from your peers.
· Accreditation: If your online high school is not properly accredited, the units you have earned could be worthless in terms of getting a job and transferring to a college.
· Price: Consider that you will need to purchase supplies (books, computer, Internet connection charge, tuition, etc.)
Just how far will technology take our children out of the classrooms? Several online schools have K-12. However, you are still missing what I believe the most important thing about school and that is social interaction. Mortar schools do not just teach academics but they teach kids and young adults to interact and communicate with each other. I just do not believe that schooling online will provide valuable teaching. Higher Education budgets are being cut every year, the feeling is that the government wants the online K-12 so that they can cut Higher Education completely and use the money elsewhere. I guess out children can experience prom via virtual tutors or as avatars.
Reference
(2003-2010) http://education-portal.com/Articles about High School Diplomas (General)
· None of the fun aspects of a traditional high school: For example, you won't have a prom, a graduation ceremony, etc.
· Classes can be difficult without a teacher: Many students find math to be a difficult subject especially when there is no one there to guide your studies.
· Self-discipline: Your only motivation is yourself so if you're the type of student that needs a firm kick in the rear to get started, online high school may not be for you.
· Isolation: You may have anti-social feelings because you are cut off from your peers.
· Accreditation: If your online high school is not properly accredited, the units you have earned could be worthless in terms of getting a job and transferring to a college.
· Price: Consider that you will need to purchase supplies (books, computer, Internet connection charge, tuition, etc.)
Just how far will technology take our children out of the classrooms? Several online schools have K-12. However, you are still missing what I believe the most important thing about school and that is social interaction. Mortar schools do not just teach academics but they teach kids and young adults to interact and communicate with each other. I just do not believe that schooling online will provide valuable teaching. Higher Education budgets are being cut every year, the feeling is that the government wants the online K-12 so that they can cut Higher Education completely and use the money elsewhere. I guess out children can experience prom via virtual tutors or as avatars.
Reference
(2003-2010) http://education-portal.com/Articles about High School Diplomas (General)
Cyber bullying
Bullying used to consist of being teased at school in front of everyone and pushed around by someone who thought they were tougher than you. Maybe you told someone you didn't want to go out with them and now they are spreading rumors such as your a tease or even worse, a slut. The bully yells these things at you in the hallways so everyone can hear. Being the kid that got bullied you were happy to go home because now it was over, they couldn't get to you at home. It's different now, every kid has a cell phone, internet and uses social networking sites. Now the bully sends mean threatening emails, text messages and they post mean things on their "Facebook" site. It doesn't just stop with saying mean things and sending threatening messages. It has got to the point of a group of kids videotaping each other brutally beating up other kids so they can go and upload this onto YouTube. The video I remember seeing all over the news and TV stations was a bunch of cheerleaders brutally beating another girl and holding her hostage. This poor girl is now on the news for the world to see. How are they suppose to react to that, some of them decide to take their own lives because of the embarrassment it has caused them, they can't go to school or ou t in public without being pointed at and teased. As a parent of a teenager, I wonder how to make sure my kid isn't part of the bullying or the one being bullied. We need to be more active in the sites our kids are on and what they are posting, read their text messages, stop the bullying before something more seriuos happens, such as suicide form being teased for the world to see.
Who owns cyberspace?
“From the first, we have talked of cyberspace as a ‘place’ or as ‘recently-discovered territory’, and have asked who governs this territory.”
The first question to ask and answer in a world of international communication is whose laws apply to cyberspace? Generally we think of ourselves as part of a nation with a national government. Nations have their own distinct set of laws imposed on their citizens. Hedley (2003) stated “the only way to impose a certain rule across the globe is to ensure that much the same rule is imposed by all the globe’s legal systems.” (p.217)
It seems that states have enough problems trying to police Internet users who break the law within the individual state. According to Hedley (2003) the police have a huge amount of data on persons breaking child pornography laws, but the police do not have the staff to deal with these cases. Is it realistic to expect this to be effectively on a nationwide level? And if it were a reality on a national level would it be effective internationally? No one nation can enact and enforce regulations for all other nations.
“Out of the chaos of the Internet, then, order will come. But it will be an international order, to which all nations will subscribe.”
Hedley, S. (2003). Nations, markets and other imaginary places: who makes the law in cyberspace?. Information & Communications Technology Law, 12(3), 215-224. doi:10.1080/1360083032000166803.
Using Avatars and Virtual Environments for Online Education
"The key element of collaboration is social interaction, that is, the mutual influence of two or more people on each other’s behavior. If there is no social interaction there is also no real collaboration."
Alexandra Petrakou
In today’s recession ridden society higher education has not only become the norm, but it has become a necessity. Many individuals are pursuing their bachelors’ or masters while still raising a family and working a full-time job. How is this all possible? Online education has made all of this possible. Since the beginning of distant learning, working adults have been able to obtain that degree they have always wanted, but never had the time to achieve. The creation of online education has allowed millions of men and women establish a foundation to make more money, or pursue the career they have always wanted. I believe as the popularity and convenience of online education increases, so does the potential of utilizing a virtual environment with avatars. A virtual environment is a computer- generated, 3D representation of a setting in which the user of the technology perceives themselves to be and within which interaction takes place (www.dictionary.reference.com, nd). Within the virtual environment avatars, which are electronic images that represent and are manipulated by a computer user are used (www.merriam-webster.com, nd). Some believe that individuals who are taking online course are missing out on the full experience of being a student, because the lack of interaction between students and teachers. The purpose of this blog is to educate individuals who are currently pursuing or would like to pursue an online education. I researched an article that actually shows a study that was done on virtual environments and the use of avatars. I want to provide my point of view on the downfalls of virtual environments, such as technology issues and the distractions it may causes online students, based on the results of the article. I want to provide information as to the flaws of participating in a virtual environment with the use of avatars for online education. I also want to provide my experience and views on the whole social experience or lack of, for online classes.
I researched an article that provides information about the study of a virtual environment with online students. This article reports the findings of a study that was conducted to see if students would potentially benefit from a virtual learning environment. The researcher Alexandra Petrakou believes, since there is a constant growth in the number of individuals taking online classes, the overall experience would be greatly improved if the students had more social interaction. Avatars could not only provide a more interactive environment, but could also make the online school experience seem more like a typical classroom with face to face interaction. I have been an online student for many years; these classes have allowed me to pursue higher education while still living a busy life. I have never felt as if I were missing the "social experience" that comes with going to a regular college. Personally, interacting with an avatar in a virtual classroom would be very distracting to me. Unless, you are taking a class that will require many group projects, individuals could become so wrapped up in the actual experience and lose focus on their goal- completing coursework. I can see many technologically savvy individuals really enjoying this opportunity and getting the full experience, however individuals who are not as technologically savvy could become overwhelmed with maneuvering their avatar through the virtual world and all the other technological issues that may arise. This will take away from their education experience. I have not felt as if there was a lack of social-interaction while taking online course. Things such as discussion boards and cafes have allowed for a dialogue type of communication. Being able to place a face with an individual is always nice, but I thought the purpose of online classes was to be able to get a degree without going through all of the extra time consuming interaction.
Ultimately, the use of avatars and virtual worlds such as Second Life is something that will possibly become more prevalent in the future. When deciding to attend an online school, individuals should do their research and become knowledgeable of the teaching format. If you are simply looking to take classes, retain what you have learned and get your degree, then virtual learning environments are not for you. Having a social experience is necessary for some individuals; therefore virtual environments may be a highlight for their learning process. I believe it is important to be able to access and understand a large amount of technology before a individual engages in utilizing a virtual environment. If the knowledge and background is not there, then make sure there is access to tech support. I personally do not need that type of interaction for my education; however a virtual learning environment can help others remain interested in what they are learning.
References
Dictionary Reference (nd). Definition of Virtual Environment. Retrieved October, 1, 2010
from, www.dictionary.reference.com.
Merriam-Webster (nd). Definition of Avatar. Retrieved October, 1, 2010
from, www.merriam-webster.com.
Petrakou, A. (2009). Interacting through avatars: Virtual worlds as a context for online education.
Retrieved September, 29, 2010 from www.sciencedirect.com.
Alexandra Petrakou
In today’s recession ridden society higher education has not only become the norm, but it has become a necessity. Many individuals are pursuing their bachelors’ or masters while still raising a family and working a full-time job. How is this all possible? Online education has made all of this possible. Since the beginning of distant learning, working adults have been able to obtain that degree they have always wanted, but never had the time to achieve. The creation of online education has allowed millions of men and women establish a foundation to make more money, or pursue the career they have always wanted. I believe as the popularity and convenience of online education increases, so does the potential of utilizing a virtual environment with avatars. A virtual environment is a computer- generated, 3D representation of a setting in which the user of the technology perceives themselves to be and within which interaction takes place (www.dictionary.reference.com, nd). Within the virtual environment avatars, which are electronic images that represent and are manipulated by a computer user are used (www.merriam-webster.com, nd). Some believe that individuals who are taking online course are missing out on the full experience of being a student, because the lack of interaction between students and teachers. The purpose of this blog is to educate individuals who are currently pursuing or would like to pursue an online education. I researched an article that actually shows a study that was done on virtual environments and the use of avatars. I want to provide my point of view on the downfalls of virtual environments, such as technology issues and the distractions it may causes online students, based on the results of the article. I want to provide information as to the flaws of participating in a virtual environment with the use of avatars for online education. I also want to provide my experience and views on the whole social experience or lack of, for online classes.
I researched an article that provides information about the study of a virtual environment with online students. This article reports the findings of a study that was conducted to see if students would potentially benefit from a virtual learning environment. The researcher Alexandra Petrakou believes, since there is a constant growth in the number of individuals taking online classes, the overall experience would be greatly improved if the students had more social interaction. Avatars could not only provide a more interactive environment, but could also make the online school experience seem more like a typical classroom with face to face interaction. I have been an online student for many years; these classes have allowed me to pursue higher education while still living a busy life. I have never felt as if I were missing the "social experience" that comes with going to a regular college. Personally, interacting with an avatar in a virtual classroom would be very distracting to me. Unless, you are taking a class that will require many group projects, individuals could become so wrapped up in the actual experience and lose focus on their goal- completing coursework. I can see many technologically savvy individuals really enjoying this opportunity and getting the full experience, however individuals who are not as technologically savvy could become overwhelmed with maneuvering their avatar through the virtual world and all the other technological issues that may arise. This will take away from their education experience. I have not felt as if there was a lack of social-interaction while taking online course. Things such as discussion boards and cafes have allowed for a dialogue type of communication. Being able to place a face with an individual is always nice, but I thought the purpose of online classes was to be able to get a degree without going through all of the extra time consuming interaction.
Ultimately, the use of avatars and virtual worlds such as Second Life is something that will possibly become more prevalent in the future. When deciding to attend an online school, individuals should do their research and become knowledgeable of the teaching format. If you are simply looking to take classes, retain what you have learned and get your degree, then virtual learning environments are not for you. Having a social experience is necessary for some individuals; therefore virtual environments may be a highlight for their learning process. I believe it is important to be able to access and understand a large amount of technology before a individual engages in utilizing a virtual environment. If the knowledge and background is not there, then make sure there is access to tech support. I personally do not need that type of interaction for my education; however a virtual learning environment can help others remain interested in what they are learning.
References
Dictionary Reference (nd). Definition of Virtual Environment. Retrieved October, 1, 2010
from, www.dictionary.reference.com.
Merriam-Webster (nd). Definition of Avatar. Retrieved October, 1, 2010
from, www.merriam-webster.com.
Petrakou, A. (2009). Interacting through avatars: Virtual worlds as a context for online education.
Retrieved September, 29, 2010 from www.sciencedirect.com.
Human instinct weakened in online environment
“Human instinct lags in most of the places where cyberspace is swelling and ramifying.” Ari Juels, March 2010
The source of this quote was an article pointing out the lack of cyberspace security. What really made the article interesting was the fact that emphasis to improve cyber security was not placed on new security technologies. The finger pointing for weak cyber security was aimed at the lack of instinctual social interaction that navigating cyberspace has failed to provide. For the majority of human existence, communication and trust has been obtained by using social cues and relying on effectively evolved human instinct. Then along came the internet, and in a blink of an eye humanity turned to an electronic online world to conduct a large percentage of daily activities; everything from banking to simple email. This really hinders the 250,000 years or so of human instinct that has been carefully crafted to understand and interpret social interactions.
Essentially, the point seems to be that the human factor is needed far beyond social networks, emails, and blogs; online privacy and security also needs important human instincts to be properly maintained and managed. Unfortunately, humanity hasn’t been an able to adapt fast enough to keep up with the cyber world. This has allowed an alarming number of people to be taken advantage of in both cyberspace and the real world. The masses need to be cognizant about humanity not being fully equipped instinctually to handle the intricacies of the cyber world.
Juels, A. (2010). "Future Tense: The Primal Cue." . Communications of the ACM, 53(3) , 120-119.
The source of this quote was an article pointing out the lack of cyberspace security. What really made the article interesting was the fact that emphasis to improve cyber security was not placed on new security technologies. The finger pointing for weak cyber security was aimed at the lack of instinctual social interaction that navigating cyberspace has failed to provide. For the majority of human existence, communication and trust has been obtained by using social cues and relying on effectively evolved human instinct. Then along came the internet, and in a blink of an eye humanity turned to an electronic online world to conduct a large percentage of daily activities; everything from banking to simple email. This really hinders the 250,000 years or so of human instinct that has been carefully crafted to understand and interpret social interactions.
Essentially, the point seems to be that the human factor is needed far beyond social networks, emails, and blogs; online privacy and security also needs important human instincts to be properly maintained and managed. Unfortunately, humanity hasn’t been an able to adapt fast enough to keep up with the cyber world. This has allowed an alarming number of people to be taken advantage of in both cyberspace and the real world. The masses need to be cognizant about humanity not being fully equipped instinctually to handle the intricacies of the cyber world.
Juels, A. (2010). "Future Tense: The Primal Cue." . Communications of the ACM, 53(3) , 120-119.
Global Soup
“Globalization would be realized as one of the influential factors of formation of new identities and reference groups.” Ardeshir Entezari, Spring 2009
In his paper titled Reviewing National, Polar and Global Identities in Relation to Formation of Polarization and Globalization published in Global Media Journal, Ardeshir Entezari reviews how our identities – nationally and globally are formed. Each individual associates himself with at least one, if not several identities to tell people who they are and where they come from in the world. If we remove these identities, will we lose who we are or be unable to relate to other people? Entezari asks the reader if a global identity is possible and what consequences will be by assimilating all cultures into one global identity.
The definition of a global identity is an identity that removes any and all ethnic, cultural, gender or geographical identifications, and makes the entire human race part of one global family.
Within Entezari’s review, he writes that should we assimilate and call ourselves by a global identity we remove our competitive nature. Entezari says our competitive nature is our foundation of improving or challenging us to become better. We as individuals identify so much of who we are with our family and heritage that it would be difficult to assimilate all of those elements into one global mindset.
Although I believe a global identity could open doors currently closed by biases and bigotry, I also believe that it is our cultures and identifications that make us unique and interesting. We as individuals have stories and experiences that could not be contained within a global experience. Plus, we like our histories even when they may be faulty or embarrassing, and that is what brings us together as people of the world.
We are the myths and history and stories of our ancestors. We cannot put them into one Internet or virtual melting pot to make them one lineage. Globalization, while possible, is not a good idea for the basis of knowing who we as individuals. If we don’t have an idea of where we are from and how we fit into it the world as a whole, we won’t have a good idea of where we want to go into the future.
Entezari, A. (2009). Reviewing National, Polar and Global Identities in Relation to Formation of Polarization and Globalization. Global Media Journal: American Edition, 8(14), 1-10. Retrieved from Communication & Mass Media Complete database.
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