This semester I have learned a lot regarding the internet. Since I do not interact in SNSs, communities or basically anything on the internet I have learned a lot. I can say that I have learned a lot more linguistic language, acronyms and abbreviations. This was a very interesting class and I really learn that I am very different from other people because I seem to be the only one in the class that does not interact in SNSs, communities etc.

This class has opened my knowledge more regarding the internet and changed a lot of my perceptions. Although I do not feel that I would join SNSs or a community however, this class did make me more knowledge about the topics. I enjoyed the knowledge regarding bridging and bond because I actually never looked at things that way. My knowledge regarding the use of cell phones was confirmed. The blog conversations, readings and the class itself helped me a lot in my research class because I am writing a paper regarding the use of online language. I feel that I understand the impact of the internet on life better because of this class. Overall I really enjoyed the class.

As I first entered the course, I knew nothing of the beginnings of the internet. The ideas of ancient technologies were vague and seemed irrelevant. However, seeing the vast changes in a relatively short amount of time has led to a better understanding of our relationship with technology. Our development proves the co-constructive power between us. We continually attempt to create new platforms to fulfill our needs.

I enjoyed the examples of people utilizing their networks to make change. Whether it is social support, a feeling of acceptance, rallying around a cause – these new groups enables us to find connections and purpose that we might have previously abandoned.  I never thought much of group formation online, dismissing it as leisurely activities. I never gave much consideration to the involvement and changes that can develop through online interaction. Online interaction also impacts our perception of the world around us. It can provide information and entertainment, fuel our passions, increase understanding, give us hope for humanity, and provide us with the opportunity to enrich our lives. I assumed we were careful in our self-presentation, but never considered the countless ways we can cultivate and express our individual personality. We are emerging from a world of distance, divisions, and fear as we enter a new era ripe with potential. The internet provides an empowering social space for people to come together, form bonds and develop a sense of community beyond precedent.

This course has made me realize that these technologies do not regulate our lives, or inherently cause harm or good. As we choose to accept, adopt and incorporate the technologies, we transform our behaviors. They provide the power to enhance our communication power, expand our reach, and diversify networks.

My overall impression is that we, as people, are at the root. We aren’t subservient to the technology around us; we have a degree of autonomy and freedom.  Though technological immersion may impact our behavioral patterns and have some social implications, it also opens other doors to opportunity. There will be trade-offs, but there is still hope for people to flourish.

I think the most interesting current research is on impressions and adoption. I will be curious to see future research on digital natives and how youth that develop with technology utilize technologies to enhance productivity and create new social experiences.

This class experience was very informaive and helped me understand things about technology and online communication. Looking back at all the articles and videos we read and watched I learned a lot about communities and how people interact via internet. Learning about online communities, gender and race, technology, and civic engagement gave me a new outlook on communication online. I enjoyed the readings from Baym and how she gave her thoughts about the topics we discussed in each blog. Before this class I had never participated in a blog community so this was a new and fun experience for me. Technology will always improve and the authors of each article should continue to keep readers informed about what is new and why it is better than the last latest and greatest techno saavy device. How social media is constructed and profiling users profiles was intriguing because I never did so until I started to read about all the things you can guess about a persons life. My understanding of how the evolution of cell phones was much more clearer and how people sometimes live through their cell phones. Social media is now a communication tool for businesses and personal which can be good and bad depending on the situation. This class and blog really helped me to be careful about what I should or should not post online because everything is brough back up in the future. The objectives form the syllabus were staright forward and explained to me what I would learn after taking this course. Overall, I enjoyed the course as well as the professor in everything I participated in.

Beyond a doubt, this class has opened my eyes to a myriad of new ideas and theories about the internet, technology, and how we use it. The research we have read has debunked some misgivings, and confirmed some suspicions. Still, as I have thought through these ideas, I have been unable to escape the fact that, as technology changes, so will many of these ideas. In forty years, although some of the research will likely apply to the technology we use then, some of it will become obsolete. So, the question I have asked myself is, “What is the truly lasting take-away I will have from this class?”

Too often, I think we define “learning” as the practice of simply ingesting information—storing statistics and facts. However, this course has taught me that, when it comes to how I think about the internet and other innovations, it’s my perspective that truly matters. That’s not to say that the things we’ve learned about who uses these technologies and why don’t provide invaluable perspective.  However, as we begin to understand ourselves better, while at the same time inventing new technologies, these theories—answers to questions of who, what, when, where, and why—will undoubtedly begin to change. That’s the way of things. But, what will outlive many of these ideas is our learned perspective. As technology changes and evolves, we’ll be able to enjoy better quality of life by choosing to consider and discuss how new tools fit into the context of our society, rather than worrying about what threats they might pose. As I look back over what we’ve learned, I believe that’s the edge this class has given me. That’s been the greatest lesson.

            Looking back on what all I have learned from this class, I have learned countless facts about technology as a whole, especially the benefits and drawbacks of posting personal information on the internet. For example, I learned that the internet can have a massive impact on both group dynamics and specific individuals. However, out of everything discussed during the semester, I would have to say that the most memorable lesson would have to be based around the consequences, both good and bad, from participating in online communities. While these “chat rooms” can allow for some individuals to find friends from other countries, they could also permit other people to post blogs about people in their lives that may permanently harm their reputation. What makes this worse is that once the harmful blog is posted on the internet, it can not ever be deleted.

            I have also learned, due to the class assignments, that technology is even more advanced in today’s world than many people can possibly realize. It is simply overwhelming that certain forms of technology that didn’t exist several years ago, such as cell phones and online chat sessions, have become such important parts of everyday life. Despite all of these technological advances, researchers should really consider asking themselves some important questions in order to prevent people from becoming completely dependent on cell phones and the internet. For instance, they could ask themselves questions like: 1) should we monitor what is posted on these online conversations so nothing inappropriate is revealed? and 2) should limits be put on how long these chats last? These questions and many more could easily help the internet, and potentially all forms of technology, to progress.

This course has increased my knowledge about online communication by exposing me to work by Baym, Turkle, Norris. These key theorists along with others have created study’s and resources for us to better understand the impact of technology and our communication networks. Additionally, I realize that the internet hasn’t been here very long, it has changed interpersonal and group dynamics through virtual space, and relationships are made more freely online for social capital reasons.

My understanding has changed by realizing that being over connected can influence the individual to have multiple “faces”, the internet can be effective or ineffective, and that it is a huge distraction. Cellphones were a big part of the distraction piece for me I know realize that I may have an issue with constantly checking my phone for an email/fb post/instagram. Therefore, I plan to cut back on my usage because it’s similar to a person who smokes taking up so much time for a habit!

Overall, technology has richened communication because it gives instant access to unlimited resources. However, social networking is dominate for networks but comes with additional ties that we may not necessarily need. As for future research I would say that we need to see what the next step is in technology to determine what else needs to be answered. For now, researchers are on track with social trends by evaluating SNS’s and the psychological effects of communication on the internet.

P.S.

I learned what a BLOG was and how they are created!

Thank you.

This class is very interesting as it covers the developing ideas and questions people are asking when analyzing  their own or others use of the internet.  I would say this class has provided a strong vocabulary and theories to discuss the various topics of  understanding the impact the internet and other CMC technologies have on building networked relationships. I saw became more aware of trending issues like  self identity on the internet and online communities and groups.

Overall what i really took from this class was an understanding that the internet is an evolving tool that allows people to communicate and network like nothing seen in previous technologies. The internet and now even cellphones allow someone to make a connection anytime and anywhere. One thing i found interesting over the semester was how the rise in  SNS and CMC technologies have made people dependent on these tools for communication. We live in a world now where we can communicate without actual Verbal communication, which has both positive and negative affects depending on the user.

I think a couple of the biggest things researchers need to try to research is the ideas surrounding privacy on the internet or even the permanente nature of content. Another  issue they should look into is the ever evolving SNS that are updated constantly to engage the user. It is it helpful or hurtful.

As an employee of Apple, I spend 40 hours a week completely surrounded and engrossed in technology. I am constantly interacting with people who want to understand their iPhones, iPads and computers better, both in a technical sense and in a personal sense. Although I am surrounded by technology all day, I have never really taken the time to analyze what exactly all of these new advancements mean for the communication and social lives of people. This class has really given me a new perspective on how and why people are using the internet.

One of the most surprising things that I learned this semester was that internet communication is actually having a positive effect on human communication. I definitely hear people’s fears about the internet on a regular basis, so it was nice to read so many studies that focused on the more positive aspects. One of my favorite readings from this semester was the story about Trudy Johnson-Lenz and the outpouring of support she received from online supporters. It was such a testament to the benefit of being connected so intimately with such a large group of people. So frequently people discuss how the internet is “ruining face to face interaction” or making people less sociable. However, the results of many of these studies seemed to indicate that the internet is actually helping people build and maintain relationships. One study that we read, by Rainie and Wellman, summed up the unnecessary fear of new technology brilliantly. They stated that “technological changes before the Internet – planes, trains, telephones, telegraphs and cars – neither destroyed relationships or communities nor left them alone.” I really loved this quote. In fact, I have used it in a previous blog. I think it emphasizes the fact that humans, in general, are afraid of all new technologies. We are quick to assume the worst of something, before we give it a chance to prove if it is positive or negative. I definitely saw a pattern in the readings this semester of the internet benefiting communication, instead of destroying it. Computer mediated communication is definitely having a large effect on people, but it certainly isn’t ruining anything.

I also feel like I have a much better idea of the impact online communication is having on both interpersonal and group dynamics. On a strictly interpersonal level, the internet can allow people to create new friendships or make it easier for them to maintain already existing friendships. I do not personally enjoy Facebook, and I have never seen much benefit to the site. However, after reading my classmates blogs this semester, I realized that Facebook was a way for people to connect to others in a multitude of different ways and to stay connected to friends or family as they moved away. It made me look at social network sites in a different light. The way the internet affects group relationships was perhaps the most interesting part of the class. My original perception of an “online community” previously was the message boards at IMDB. However, there is literally a community for everyone and everything on the internet. There is a place online for everyone to belong!

Personally, I am most excited to see the research on online communication that comes out a decade from now. Right now, we are witnessing an entire generation of internet savvy users who are utilizing every aspect of our technological world. People are extremely free with what they post on the internet, even if they don’t realize they are. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, and all the other social networking sites that exist are systematically being saved. It is possible that, in ten years, there will be an entire generation whose lives have been documented and archived online. What will the world be like in that context? Googling dates beforehand is becoming common practice now, so what will happen when you can access a person’s entire history online? Will it become completely ordinary to us? Or will it actually change everything about how we communicate and socialize? I am interested in seeing how the amount of personal information that exists online will affect communication in the future.

Communication on the Internet has been an interesting journey of discovery. It was surprising to discover that a media we use so frequently could still hold hidden so many secrets. It was a pleasure observing the amazing changes that have happened since the invention of the internet and later the establishment of social networking sites. The new technology of computer mediated communication has transformed society in meaningful ways. All this new technology that has made the world a smaller place, allow us to do things we never thought possible, is the same technology that threatens our privacy. In spite of the inherent challenges, I welcome the journey ahead.

The most interesting things I have learned, with respect to these main course objectives, are how people use the internet to develop and maintain relationships, why groups are popular, and how we define ourselves based on our interactions with others through internet communication and also through expressing ourselves through different media outlets.

My understanding of how we use the internet has changed from thinking everyone used the internet for Facebook and Twitter to realizing that people use it to join groups, to express themselves through blogs, and to enter imaginary worlds. My understanding of how we use new technologies to communicate in our everyday lives has changed from thinking that only young adults use text messaging to realizing that majority of people, both older and younger, use text messaging quite heavily.

From my perspective as a user of these technologies, the questions scientist and government agencies need to continue to investigate are the following:  How will our privacy be affected? Where is our posted information being archived to? And, what steps are being taken to prevent this archived information from being exposed?

This class was very interesting, in part, because I am not very into all the technology and because this was not for my major. I admit I did not think there was so much to communication, but I find myself enlightened with all this new knowledge. Through the semester we read many articles of research done on internet and communication. I use the internet, but I never realize all the things that go on, even when I see them. I guess when you are open to them you notice them more. You can point out things that you maybe passed over in other occasions.

I think my favorite part of this class is researching first hand by analyzing other peoples profiles. Once you know what you are looking for and you examine it, it makes more sense. When had to examine the blog and the myspace profile. People put so much information out there that many people can see an judge you off. You have to be careful because anything that you share online could come back and haunt you.

What I took from this class is that technology as a whole is not all bad. There is a good side and a bad side to everything. Balance is key! We have to remember to keep a balance with our offline relationships and our online. If we have one we cant neglect the other. Also, occasional brakes from technology are very refreshing. We have revolutionized communication. There are new languages and new forms of communicating. People are still communicating, they are not isolating themselves, they are just changing the location and form of communication.