February 24th
The Practice of Everyday Media Life
1. I think that three different sites or types of sites can be identified to describe the change in which people communicate.
- Blogs, users now producing the writings on these sites and anyone an be an author and control the content that is published to the world.
-YouTube, sited where people can upload video have revolutionized communication, people now visit Youtube for recreation and to communicate with others far away
-Facebook/MySpace/Social Networking Sites, people control what is uploaded to the sites and the communication that exists because of these sites now dominates the communication of the 15-30 year old age group.
2. New types of social media are changing the way people communicate because facts, opinion and conversation can now no longer be seperated as clearly. The way in which are communicating is also become blurred because now it is not what exactly we saying or doing but just simply the fact that we are doing it. This can be seen in posting blogs and using other sources or when someone gives a gift on facebook. The purpose behind the gift becomes lost in the fact that we gave the gift. The way in which we communicate is also changed because we are now comminting about the same thing rather than speaking to one another. We now communicate by all commenting on the same Facebook picture rather than interacting.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
More Ideas for Hypertext
February 19th
After today I am thinking that my hypertext will be a serious of photographs that show different people "being the change they want to see in the world".
I was thinking that I would take a sort of PostSecret approach or do something similar to the one site that posted polaroids and then added lilttle captions. I want to creat a sort of slideshow of images with different one word messages or phrases below them that represents what they are doing to be the change they want to see in the world.
I think that this part of the project will be more difficult than the initial clay assignment because of the use of computers. I am not very good with creating websites so I will have to really try on this aspect of the project.
After today I am thinking that my hypertext will be a serious of photographs that show different people "being the change they want to see in the world".
I was thinking that I would take a sort of PostSecret approach or do something similar to the one site that posted polaroids and then added lilttle captions. I want to creat a sort of slideshow of images with different one word messages or phrases below them that represents what they are doing to be the change they want to see in the world.
I think that this part of the project will be more difficult than the initial clay assignment because of the use of computers. I am not very good with creating websites so I will have to really try on this aspect of the project.
Absolute PowerPoint and Book Lover Responses
February 18th
Absolute PowerPoint
2. There absolutely a large difference between using PowerPoint effectively and using it ineffectively. Some people use powerpoints as an excuse. It is easy to just write things on a powerpoint and rely on them for everything when giving a presentation or lecturing to a class. In the cases where the professor or presenter puts all of the information that they are saying and directly reading then powerpoints do cause a barrier and reduce "human contact". In some uses powerpoints become mechanized and the person using them becomes like a robot. If someone uses powerpoint effectively and includes good graphics and does not rely on the powerpoint like a crutch then it will not reduce humanity. In my classes I have been lucky to have professors who are still engaging despite using powerpoints.
There are a large number of advantages that powerpoint gives you. The number one advantage to me is the use of graphics and multimedia. Powerpoints allow you to include photographs and videos in your presentation when a normal speech would not. Powerpoints also help visual learners and make taking notes easier.
A Book Lover Longs for Cyberdrama
One thing that I noticed in the piece was her criticism of the Victorian novel. She says "some truths are beyond the reach of a particular art form at a particular moment in time". This is an interesting statement in relation to her views on literature and rhetoric in the digital age and on the computer. I thought that it seemed hypocritical that she condems the victorian novel for the way they treated women but is more open to the form of literature online. It seems like she can't accept that past as just that the past when there were different customs but instead is open to this radical new literature.
Other points include that the computer was mostly seen as a "drudge" initially, computers can present text, images and moving pictures to illustrate a piece of writing more effectively and because we have a greater access computers give us the power perform new tasks and ask more questions.
Absolute PowerPoint
2. There absolutely a large difference between using PowerPoint effectively and using it ineffectively. Some people use powerpoints as an excuse. It is easy to just write things on a powerpoint and rely on them for everything when giving a presentation or lecturing to a class. In the cases where the professor or presenter puts all of the information that they are saying and directly reading then powerpoints do cause a barrier and reduce "human contact". In some uses powerpoints become mechanized and the person using them becomes like a robot. If someone uses powerpoint effectively and includes good graphics and does not rely on the powerpoint like a crutch then it will not reduce humanity. In my classes I have been lucky to have professors who are still engaging despite using powerpoints.
There are a large number of advantages that powerpoint gives you. The number one advantage to me is the use of graphics and multimedia. Powerpoints allow you to include photographs and videos in your presentation when a normal speech would not. Powerpoints also help visual learners and make taking notes easier.
A Book Lover Longs for Cyberdrama
One thing that I noticed in the piece was her criticism of the Victorian novel. She says "some truths are beyond the reach of a particular art form at a particular moment in time". This is an interesting statement in relation to her views on literature and rhetoric in the digital age and on the computer. I thought that it seemed hypocritical that she condems the victorian novel for the way they treated women but is more open to the form of literature online. It seems like she can't accept that past as just that the past when there were different customs but instead is open to this radical new literature.
Other points include that the computer was mostly seen as a "drudge" initially, computers can present text, images and moving pictures to illustrate a piece of writing more effectively and because we have a greater access computers give us the power perform new tasks and ask more questions.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Ideas for how to extend my project for hypertext
February 17th
I am thinking that I will have to make my theme larger fot the hypertext portion of our project. I am going to take the quote "you must be the change you wish to see in the world" and expand it to a larger theme about being a "global citizen" and actively getting involved in volunteering.
Hypertext will allow me to use added technologies such as video and also to link to different websites to expand my central theme. By publishing my theme on the internet it will become more fluid and open because I will be able to expand my ideas because of the available resources.
I will also use the idea of being networkable. The internet or hypertext allows you to make your work connected or joined with other written work. This is a big perk of hypertext because it allows you to share and go off of others ideas.
I am thinking that I will have to make my theme larger fot the hypertext portion of our project. I am going to take the quote "you must be the change you wish to see in the world" and expand it to a larger theme about being a "global citizen" and actively getting involved in volunteering.
Hypertext will allow me to use added technologies such as video and also to link to different websites to expand my central theme. By publishing my theme on the internet it will become more fluid and open because I will be able to expand my ideas because of the available resources.
I will also use the idea of being networkable. The internet or hypertext allows you to make your work connected or joined with other written work. This is a big perk of hypertext because it allows you to share and go off of others ideas.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Moving Beyond the Book and Return of the Word Responses 2/16
February 16th
"Beyond the Book"
1. I have had both good experiences and negative experiences with textbooks and online readings. I have noticed that some textbooks do seem to be poorly printed and mearly other works that are thrown together. There are literally some textbooks that are nothing more than quotations from other articles that are put together to form a "book". On the other hand I have also had great experiences with textbooks that were very easy to read and work with. I definately think that my attitude about assignments are determined by the form in which the assignments are written. I actually do not like reading things online. I find that if something is printed online and I have to read it off of a screen or print it out to read it that I have a negative attitude about it. I usually have a positive attitude about things that I read out of a text book.
2. Mapquest allows for convience that gives specific directions rather than just road signs. Mapquest is also so much more useful for directions in cities. Overall I consider regular maps to be used for highway transportation and going on long distance trips. Mapquest is great at giving details such as distances, turns and details. The advantages of a regular map include that you can carry it with you in your car and it covers a greater area in one resource.
"The Return of the Word"
3. I think the qualitites of email and print that appeal to us are that it is not instant and isn't in your face. Unlike speaking to someone face to face you can think about what you want to say and reconsider what you are writing. When sending someone an email you can erase your thoughts and change them as many times as you would like to. If you are having a talk with someone face to face you can not go back and change what you say aloud. There is not the ability to take things back as easily in person. Live chat does not have the same appeal because it is essential instant and does not allow for the same amount of censorship that an email does. It is very email to just "shoot" someone an email. You can ask questions easily in an email or would be more comfortable contacting a superior in email form than verbally.
"Beyond the Book"
1. I have had both good experiences and negative experiences with textbooks and online readings. I have noticed that some textbooks do seem to be poorly printed and mearly other works that are thrown together. There are literally some textbooks that are nothing more than quotations from other articles that are put together to form a "book". On the other hand I have also had great experiences with textbooks that were very easy to read and work with. I definately think that my attitude about assignments are determined by the form in which the assignments are written. I actually do not like reading things online. I find that if something is printed online and I have to read it off of a screen or print it out to read it that I have a negative attitude about it. I usually have a positive attitude about things that I read out of a text book.
2. Mapquest allows for convience that gives specific directions rather than just road signs. Mapquest is also so much more useful for directions in cities. Overall I consider regular maps to be used for highway transportation and going on long distance trips. Mapquest is great at giving details such as distances, turns and details. The advantages of a regular map include that you can carry it with you in your car and it covers a greater area in one resource.
"The Return of the Word"
3. I think the qualitites of email and print that appeal to us are that it is not instant and isn't in your face. Unlike speaking to someone face to face you can think about what you want to say and reconsider what you are writing. When sending someone an email you can erase your thoughts and change them as many times as you would like to. If you are having a talk with someone face to face you can not go back and change what you say aloud. There is not the ability to take things back as easily in person. Live chat does not have the same appeal because it is essential instant and does not allow for the same amount of censorship that an email does. It is very email to just "shoot" someone an email. You can ask questions easily in an email or would be more comfortable contacting a superior in email form than verbally.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Grub Street Responses
February 11th
New Grub Street
1. I can definitely relate to Reardon when he says that he has padded material. There have been times when I have been required to write six page papers on topics that only merit four pages or when I was given the challenge of meeting very long length requirements that I have padded my writing. I think that the most common way for me to pad writing would be to add in another long quote from a passage or reading. By adding in a quote it makes it seem like you are expanding on what you were talking about rather than just "trying to take up room". I have mixed emotions about length requirements in papers. I think that professors should trust us enough to know that we will not turn in one page for something that should be a research paper. If you are given a topic and say everything that you feel you should and need to say then however long the paper is at that point, is how long it should be. I think that you should be given the right to stop writing when you are through and writing length requirements should not exist.
Virtual Grub Street
1. I read an encyclopedia passage about Ernest Hemingway to analyze the prose. What I found is that the encyclopedia seemed to be written in a very boring fashion. The online prose seemed to be very fact based and just listed off a series of events that happened in chronological order. To be honest I have not used a real encyclopedia in so long that I do not remember the usual prose of the work. I do happen to agree with the author that only writing can be superficial and bland. But, I also acknowledge that written works can be just as bland and boring.
4.I think his complaint is valid. I think that lots of other people would agree with his perspective especially those who may be considered digital immigrants. Those who would be considered immigrants might also feel that multimedia writing is not for them. I think that older souls would definitely not want to expand and learn the new technologies. I think that lots of people would consider the writing on the Internet to be much more bland. Writing that is published on the Internet does not use the rhetoric that Shakespeare or a classic novel did. I think he has a real reason for his theory and it is not just a personal claim
New Grub Street
1. I can definitely relate to Reardon when he says that he has padded material. There have been times when I have been required to write six page papers on topics that only merit four pages or when I was given the challenge of meeting very long length requirements that I have padded my writing. I think that the most common way for me to pad writing would be to add in another long quote from a passage or reading. By adding in a quote it makes it seem like you are expanding on what you were talking about rather than just "trying to take up room". I have mixed emotions about length requirements in papers. I think that professors should trust us enough to know that we will not turn in one page for something that should be a research paper. If you are given a topic and say everything that you feel you should and need to say then however long the paper is at that point, is how long it should be. I think that you should be given the right to stop writing when you are through and writing length requirements should not exist.
Virtual Grub Street
1. I read an encyclopedia passage about Ernest Hemingway to analyze the prose. What I found is that the encyclopedia seemed to be written in a very boring fashion. The online prose seemed to be very fact based and just listed off a series of events that happened in chronological order. To be honest I have not used a real encyclopedia in so long that I do not remember the usual prose of the work. I do happen to agree with the author that only writing can be superficial and bland. But, I also acknowledge that written works can be just as bland and boring.
4.I think his complaint is valid. I think that lots of other people would agree with his perspective especially those who may be considered digital immigrants. Those who would be considered immigrants might also feel that multimedia writing is not for them. I think that older souls would definitely not want to expand and learn the new technologies. I think that lots of people would consider the writing on the Internet to be much more bland. Writing that is published on the Internet does not use the rhetoric that Shakespeare or a classic novel did. I think he has a real reason for his theory and it is not just a personal claim
Monday, February 9, 2009
Reading Topics 2/9
February 9th
Pencils to Pixels
2. People still distrust computers for personal information. It is difficult for people to put their personal information such as addresses, phone numbers or credit card information online because they fear that it will be stolen. People also fear the reliability of computers. Despite the computers ability to save things we still back up all of our files via other methods and external sources incase it crashes. Computer based writing will be taken seriously when blogs and all other forms of writing on the internet are legitimized. If all bloggers were to be taken seriously then maybe so would online writing.
4. The purpose of the discussion on pencils is to show how only the elite used them at first to become legitimized and considered well-educated. As the costs of writing and gaining the materials went down then the usage expanded accordingly. I think that as laptops become available to all parts of the world that technology will be more understood even by the lower classes who do not currently have the abilities.
The Art and Science of Handwriting
3. Yes, I remember being taught penmanship from kindergarten on. I remember being taught a more italicized form of lettering that was a little bit different. At my school we learned this form that the lettering was more italicized in regards to the "i" and the "l". These letters were curved. I also remember learning how to write in cursive in third grade. We were taught how to write in cursive and did exercises with it but never really had to write anything long in cursive. When learning how to write we had to do exercise drills where we had to make every letter look exactly the same. Yes, I think that penmanship should always be emphasized over computer writing in schools. We should not loose the ability to write because of technology.
The First Writing Machines
1. I do remember my first experiences with technology. I remember having "computer" as a special or elective in elementary school and learning skills there. I also remember having to pass a computer typing proficency exam in 6th grade. We were not only required to type but to learn spreadsheets and other technologies as well. I think since I have always known computers that my experience was very different than Twain's. I never rejected computers because it was something that I always was acustom to rather than something I had to learn when I was older.
Pencils to Pixels
2. People still distrust computers for personal information. It is difficult for people to put their personal information such as addresses, phone numbers or credit card information online because they fear that it will be stolen. People also fear the reliability of computers. Despite the computers ability to save things we still back up all of our files via other methods and external sources incase it crashes. Computer based writing will be taken seriously when blogs and all other forms of writing on the internet are legitimized. If all bloggers were to be taken seriously then maybe so would online writing.
4. The purpose of the discussion on pencils is to show how only the elite used them at first to become legitimized and considered well-educated. As the costs of writing and gaining the materials went down then the usage expanded accordingly. I think that as laptops become available to all parts of the world that technology will be more understood even by the lower classes who do not currently have the abilities.
The Art and Science of Handwriting
3. Yes, I remember being taught penmanship from kindergarten on. I remember being taught a more italicized form of lettering that was a little bit different. At my school we learned this form that the lettering was more italicized in regards to the "i" and the "l". These letters were curved. I also remember learning how to write in cursive in third grade. We were taught how to write in cursive and did exercises with it but never really had to write anything long in cursive. When learning how to write we had to do exercise drills where we had to make every letter look exactly the same. Yes, I think that penmanship should always be emphasized over computer writing in schools. We should not loose the ability to write because of technology.
The First Writing Machines
1. I do remember my first experiences with technology. I remember having "computer" as a special or elective in elementary school and learning skills there. I also remember having to pass a computer typing proficency exam in 6th grade. We were not only required to type but to learn spreadsheets and other technologies as well. I think since I have always known computers that my experience was very different than Twain's. I never rejected computers because it was something that I always was acustom to rather than something I had to learn when I was older.
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