relection blog :)

I definitely learned a lot in ENGL 396C this semester. Before this class, I considered myself a digital native. But now that I reflect on what I’ve learned in this class, I’m not so sure that I was a digital native. I do feel like I am now, however.

Web 2.0, MUDS, MOOS, SL… all of those terms were foreign to me. I’ve also never blogged before. While I don’t think I’ll continue to blog regularly, I’m glad I had the opportunity to do so. It was sort-of relaxing to sit down and write about different topics. I also found a bunch of really interesting sites while searching for things to blog about. I loved reading other student’s blogs as well.

The group project was… interesting. I’ve had online classes before, but never a semester long group project online. It was difficult, and I was frustrated occasionally because some people did a lot of work, while others did barely anything (sorry if this offends you, I’m just being honest). Overall, I think Group One’s wiki turned out rather well. I enjoyed researching and posting to the site. I learned a lot while doing it. Thank you to those who also worked on it consistently throughout the semester. Learning how to use WetPaint was also pretty neat. I actually may use it again.

I LOVED Group Two’s project. You guys did an awesome job. I like the idea, the organization, the pictures…. everything. It does seem like Group Two had the same difficultly of some members not participating much. I suppose you’ll get that in every large group situation though.
I also enjoyed doing the fourth writing assignment. My paper was titled “If online games caused violence, we’d all be dead.” It argued that violent games do not cause real life violence. It was fun reading studies done on the topic. Being a professional writing major, I actually like writing. It was nice completing a paper that kept my interest the whole time.

Like others in this class have expressed, I’m glad that I had the opportunity to discover Flickr. I was a bit wary about it at first, because it was a bit difficult to navigate through. I recently got the hang of it, and I will be using it again.

I suppose that’s all. I’m looking forward to be graduating in a week!!! I am a little sad, however. I love learning. I know that I will take more classes in the near future. Congratulations to everyone else who is graduating this semester!

A Facebook class at Stanford

Because our class has been interacting so much on Facebook, I decided to research how other schools utilize Facebook. Standford is introducing a class in which the sole purpose is to study Facebook. Focus will be on how the site is a persuasive technology and the psychology of Facebook, among other things.

Students will be required to create web applications for Facebook, analyze applications, and present applications.

It actually seems pretty cool, and I do agree - Facebook is a persuasive technology. Check it out: http://credibilityserver.stanford.edu/captology/facebook/

SL users profit from Obama's win

Article found at: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2008/11/web-entrepreneu.html.

Second Life users are creating Obama shirts and selling them to other users. How cool! What a creative way to make money AND show support for the presidential elect. This is another example of how second life users incorporate real life into the site. It's amazing how much users can do.

I wonder what other clothing is popular in second life? I've seen a lot of "punk" attire in doing my own exploring. Has anyone else noticed any trends?

It's like CNN for Second Life

http://www.slnn.com/

While doing research for a writing project I came across an interesting site. Second Life News Network, or SLNN, contains "SL news when you need it, how you need it." Well, okay then.

Some of the most popular articles, with links to the articles on the homepage, include:

• RL recession could fuel virtual world boom
• World Bank's Second Life launch of doing business report
• Written Word set to begin a week-long writers' heaven (me: how cool!!)
• Linden Lab and RRR to offer solutions to businesses
• The blogger's sentenary

I really think that this site shows that Second Life isn't just a "game." People really are starting virtual lives that they take very seriously. Why didn't I know about this until a few months ago?

The article titled "The blogger's sentenary" is a virtual second closet owned by a girl named Felicity Blumenthal. In honor of her 100th blog post, she recently threw a SL celebration party. Her blog contains information on SL fashion. She includes reviews and recommendations of her preferences of SL clothing.

What started as "a little diary for [herself]" has grown into a very popular blog on SL. This is one example of how creativity in SL can gain you RL recongnition. Be sure to check out this site, it's really informative and well orgainzied.

Virtual Classrooms

I love the idea of having a virtual classroom in SL, as presented in "At colleges, real learning in a virtual world." I do think it would be difficult to get used to at first, but if the professor took a week at the beginning of the semester to familiarize students with SL, it should prove to be very beneficial.

Students also have the opportunity to be "in" a class with students from around the world. This once-in-a-lifetime experience offers many different perspectives and a greater learning opportunity.

Students in the virtual classroom can also decorate their "classroom" however they like. This offers a great way to be creative and to work together with other students.

Too bad I'm graduating after this semester, I would try to persuade the administration to try this concept.

What does "wasted time" really mean?

"Converging: An interview with Henry Jenkins" points out an interesting observation. The question asked to Jenkins stated that "[m]any gamers report that they feel like they have 'wasted time' when playing a video game, yet are hard pressed to say what they should have been doing with their leisure time."

Hmm, good point.

My boyfriend and I occasionally play Wii Bowling when we don't have anything better to do. I oftentimes feel like this is wasted time that couldn't have been spent on something more productive. But now that I think about it, it's a good break from my real life.

I go to school full time, work at a car dealership 30 hours a week, coach high school cheerleading at least two times a week and occasionally try to fit in time for my friends, family and boyfriend. I go from one thing to the next and really don't have much free time.

Playing games, particularly video games is a good escape. As Jenkin's points out, "[m]ost of us are overscheduled and overburdened with other aspects of our lives and it ought to be a sacred thing to sometimes goof off with our mates." He continues to say that "[w]e lack ways of justifying or explaining the value of games as a meaningful activity."

That does ring true as it applies to me. As long as Wii Bowling doesn't interfere with my responsibilities, it isn't a waste of time. It's a fun escape from my hectic life. Yet another way technology is more of a positive than a negative.

"Don't believe in miracles, depend on them"

I feel the need to express how I'm feeling. What better way than to blog?

I graduate in December. In 5 weeks. I should be super excited, right? I am! But I'm also really scared. Not until recently did I realize how much I enjoy learning. I've always done well in school, but I never put much value on my education. Now I can't get enough. I have a yerning to know more about the world and what it has to offer. "Knowledge is power" has become my motto.

I don't feel like I'm "done" with school. I've dreamt about graduating college for forever. Finally, no more studying. No more tests or papers. Now, that the day is almost here, I don't want it to be. I want to continue to take classes.

That brings me to a quote I can across that actually inspired this blog: "Learn everything you can, from anyone you can - there will always come a time when you'll be grateful you did." - Sarah Caldwell

That can not ring more true. In addition to realizing how much I enjoy learning, I realized that I'm a lot smarter than I previously gave myself credit for. I have a creative non-fiction story published, I've had articles published in the Post-Tribune.... that's something to be proud of, right?

Switching gears... reflecting on my education carreer, there's one moment that truly stands out to me. While attending class at Purdue Calumet, a professor of mine asked each student to write down two things: what our dream job is and what we actually think we're going to do with our degree. The students took turns saying their response. It was although they knew they couldn't acheive their dream job, so they were just going to settle for something mediocer.

And then it was my turn. I said that my dream job was to write for Chicago Magazine. Then I explianed that this was also what I chose for the job that I thought I could actually get. My professor's response? "You're better off trying to get a job at a trade magazine, they're always looking for writers." Seriously? There is nothing more motivating to me than someone doubting my abilities.

Okay, I'm done. :) I hope everyone votes tomorrow.