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.
I completely agree that our perspectives need to be considered. Before this class, I was pretty negative about the big effects of technology, but reading about bridging and bonding opened my eyes and allowed me to see that we are lucky to have the world literally at our fingertips. While negative consequences will always be there, there are so many more positive things that have happened as a result of being connected to the world around us.
I agree this class has really changed some of the perceptions I had. I totally agree with your statement about the definition of learning. This class has actually made learning fun and allows us to discuss the material and interact with each other. Nice getting to know you and I really enjoyed this class with you :)
I definitely agree that this course has exposed me to a great deal of new information that I would have never discovered. I agree that how you use the internet to cater to your own needs is very important in how you view its usefulness. I don’t think we need to worry about future threats; we should just embrace new technologies and see where our inventiveness takes us.
I totally agree with you that this course have deepen our thoughts and ideas. Analyzing other people’s profiles and going deep into their interactions with each others, strengthen my critical thinking into how to present yourself in public in a way to self-disclose and express yourself to reveal your unique hidden identity in certain way. It was amazing to learn how people differ in how much information they can reveal about themselves. I foud some people to be authentic but most of people they like to have some privacy and choose not to reveal everything for different reasons.
I would never have learned as much about the internet if it were not for this class. Like you stated, new technologies could easily improve our lives in the future. Communicating with people from different sides of the world could help to work out differences between nations. No one can ever truly know how effective a group’s beliefs can be until those convictions are actually put into action. Thanks to this class, I’m far more prepared than ever to take an active role in webchats, should I choose to join them.