Progress made in class (midterm reflection)

While taking this class, I have learned much about the digital World. First, I was never interested in using Google plus because not many people used it. Since then I have realized how useful it is. I was an addicted user of Facebook  till i realized how much better Google plus was. Whenever there is a group meeting, it automatically posts it on my calender, also gives me warnings. I truly love using Google Plus.  Second, i was never interested in Blogging. Now taking this class, I have learned how much information is out there. Especially the experiences that people post. It is useful and helpful in improving everyday life.  Due to this class, I have learned how to use these available resources better, and how it can improve our way of living. 

Applying the nonfiction book to digital culture, Cybernetics delves into how technology functions like the human mind. While taking the knowledge that I learned from the book and applying it to the digital culture class, it taught me how intertwined the digital world is and the growth it has done over the years. Allie made a comment earlier about remembering how we would wait hours to get on the internet. Dial-up. It would require the computer, connection to a phone, and the phone connecting to the provider. It used to tie up the phone lines all the time. My father had to get a second phone line due to constant use of the internet. Now we do not have the same issue. A provider is still needed, but instead of using cords, we have wireless access. Everything became user-friendly and is more connected.  The  internet has changed much over the years. It was discussed in class about web 1.0 vs web 2.0. Web 1.0 was a one way traffic. There was no involvement, but web 2.0 allowed information to be passed from one person to the next. Cybernetics talked about various synapses in the computer does that, which allows it to function better. As technology improves, communication over the internet improves and will continuously grow for the better.

The literary work that I read was about avatars. The main character in the story struggled with the identity that society had placed on her. She was the eldest daughter, and was expected to fail. But with the creation of a new identity, she was able to come out of her shell and express herself better. She had become a new person because of the new identity that was given to her.  This relates to how people are on the internet. Some choose to act in a negative way, the most choose to show various talents. They improve themselves as they learn to share these new talents with others. 

Example: Violin Lessons

Many people are posting lessons for the violin, or some are posting up recitals to get more feedback from their peers (Social proof). It helps them to become more confident and improve in their skills as artists and other things that they wish to focus on. 

Self directed:I have been learning a lot about various things that I have been curious about but not had the time to look more into. Example: Little big planet, It looked fun creating the levels, but never had the time to do research on how to do it. Now for this class i get that opportunity. 

Influence:I learned a lot from other students. specifically on topics that interested me the most. I saw a variety of positive and negative posts, which showed that there are pros and cons to the technology that we have access to. Topics that interest me are games, avatars, and remixes. I would like to learn more specifically about avatars and games. It has a strong influence over us, even though we do not believe it does. A friend told me about this clip from you tube. It discusses the idea of propaganda games. 

WARNING: LANGUAGE

Avatars can either be destructive or beneficial. it is fun to learn how others choose to handle this idea of anonymity.