Week 10 readings...

Social networking...hmmm my personal thoughts: I still haven't created an account on Facebook or MySpace, and have been hesitant to do it. I haven't bridged into the "wanting to be found/getting into the large networks" yet. I have a lot of networks, friends everywhere, but for me it's always been more of a personable/person to person thing, rather than technology thing. I know, call me old fashion, but it's just a personal thing.

The Matthew Williams article was interesting, and made me wonder if it is really going somewhere, his thoughts on where schooling is off, and that the system is archaic and that it is shown by how students are tapping out! I agree partly with this, as I often feel that what we do in classrooms could be improved. However, allowing students to listen to their Ipods in class is a bit pushing it. I for one know that I surf the net while I'm in class, but I blend my attention with what the prof is saying. If I think the information is really important, I usually tune out off of my laptop and concentrate on the prof. Also, often when I "surf" the net, I don't do facebook/Myspace, etc...often I'll be checking up on stuff that the prof is talking about, looking at more information. And I will admit that check emails and other stuff to, but I wonder how could teaching really include more technology, or a more suitable approach that would make students more aware/or more "into" the lecture.

The whole DOPA thing is shocking. I didn't realize there was so much policing in the U.S. However, it's not too surprising when I think about it, cause it is the U.S. On the other hand, I am surprised that Libraries/ALA haven't put up a larger stink about it, as they are usually the ones that want to make the library a place of freedom/free thought. I like how the Roush article commented on how it deprives Social Networking for youths, and suggests that it is an important cultural thing for youths today.

Coming back to my second paragraph, I just finished reading the Henry Jenkins article, and he finally found ways to integrate teaching and technology. His blogoshpere with the classroom is quite an interesting idea. I really like the sounds of it, and the potential that it has in the classroom.

My comments on this week's readings.

Jer