Course Summary: What did I learn?
Posted by: adedoyin on: October 23, 2008
I learned alot about different internet communities and mediums of expression via the net. I never levels the levels to which blogging and internet communication have risen since their conception. I’m a very simple internet user; outside of the regular 10 or 20 sites I visit and 3 email accounts I manage I really don’t have much of a life on the internet, but there’ s so much more to find and share (and even more mechanisms through which to do so). ‘The Information Age’ has definately been appropriated properly.
I’d be lying if I said I finished this course at the same level I started but it’s really hard to connect the dots amongst the concepts I DO understand. I feel I learned more about the internet related portions of information technology more than anything else, which is pleasantly surprising because I feel I’d be using this knowledge more practically than anything else. For example, my assignment during the Ruth Ann Minner Blog project was to ‘sex up the blog’, but this is a challenge that many organizations face today; how to make their webspaces attractive? Learning about different web goodies and software applications that could be possible solutions is something that I know I’ll use in the future, especially if I end up working in the non-profit sector.
The general progression of the course was a bit eclectic, I didn’t see much of a connection between the topics we covered from week to week (besides the fact that they were under the theme of ‘IT’). The assignments were interesting and the class projects gave us a great opportunity to try to apply some things we learned about in the course.
Class Reflection 4
Posted by: adedoyin on: October 23, 2008
The internet is a difficult and complex world to navigate through! I never thought I would understand the basic nuances behind the functionality of the internet, but after this class I’m sure I won’t. I doubt I’ll be able to recall 70% of the terms we discussed in class, which is beyond sad 
.
After class I also thought of the concept of introducing technology into classrooms and making children more tech-savvy. I know they wouldn’t be as vigorously drilled in the art of algorithms as first and second year grad students, but what exactly are they meant to learn? Some of the topics we discussed, like how to figure out ones Static IP and IP address may be necessary knowledge for our generation and those after us, but how do you teach this concepts in a basic, understandable manner? Would they be introduced into secondary school curriculum or will students be encouraged to join extra-curricular activities with technological focuses?
All I know is that even If we spent an entire semester on the mysteries of computer technology and internet workings I doubt I’d be able to 1) remember what I learned for future use, and 2) be able to explain the various concepts to someone else. One of the objectives of this course is to make us ‘young’ (presumably tech-savvy) students more equipped for hard technology-related questions in our future work lives but I really hope I won’t be that go-to person!
How is the best way for you to get information?
Posted by: adedoyin on: October 6, 2008
After trying to listen attentively to How the Internet works parts one and two I realized that receiving information through audio media isn’t very effective for me, especially without any visual cues. My attention was easily diverted while trying to listen to the pod casts. I started to pay attention when I followed the sessions using the PDF file as well as the audio component. I have a strong photographic memory and while we were in class discussing the different networking terms, it was easier for me to recall the meanings of the terms by where I had physically seen them in the PDF files vs. what I heard in the pod casts. I tend to display the same habit while studying for other classes, remembering information I’ve read by visualizing where I’d seen it in the given text. I also prefer reading directions vs. listening to someone give them to me (but only if the directions are written clearly).
I think presentations e.g. power point, graphs etc. can be very effective in relaying information, but only when they aren’t too detailed. When presenters put too much information in their physical presentations I feel less compelled to listen to them. However if they provide just general information and outlines I listen to the presenter for explanations. I’ll keep this in mind when creating and presenting our group project.
How close are we to the 2015 described in EPIC 2015
Posted by: adedoyin on: October 1, 2008
Not very. We may be getting closer to a monopolized internet giant of information but I think the fundamental flaw in the idea is the ability of its reach and scope. In the short fictional movie outlining the phenomenon a statement is made; EPIC is “a summary of the world — deeper, broader and more nuanced than anything ever available before … but at its worst, and for too many, EPIC is merely a collection of trivia, much of it untrue.” I believe we have many mechanisms already that mimic the core ideas behind EPIC i.e. Youtube and other internet sources that combine both useful information and trivial pursuits, but they tend to lean towards the trivial. Although many internet giants of information could come to existance by 2015, I think they’ll be outweighed by the amount of useless information on the net. In essence if EPIC were realized, it would be in its worst form. I don’t believe a time will ever evolve (in my lifetime atleast) when the one online source or the internet itself could be the sole source of valid information for the entire world. But I may be wrong.
Class Reflection 3
Posted by: adedoyin on: October 1, 2008
. Another phenomenon I thought was interesting was focused around Danielle’s topic of the internet as a kind of open market for people to advertise themselves (amongst other things). The Boomchikawawa example really showed the ingenuity behind the vastness of the internet and marketing through it. The way phrases and ideas can catch on at that level is really surprising.
A very disturbing blog
Posted by: adedoyin on: September 24, 2008
Our assignment was to look for a blog we agreed or disagreed with and I found one that I not only vehemently disagreed with, but one that was a bit creepy as well. Sons of Sam is a pro-death penalty information blog with the mission of ‘Keeping the Public Updated with Executions, Lethal Injection, Death Penalty and Capital Punishment News’. I believe the death penalty is morally and ethically wrong, but what I’m more interested in talking about is why a blog like this exists? I mean, it’s a creative outlet for people to express their deeply held opinions and beliefs (and everyone is entitled to their beliefs) but come on!? Some of the graphics are very inappropriate and the pictures of people to be executed are really unnecessary. I’m not sure if I disagree more with the stance of the blog creators or the way they choose to display their information. Excuse me while I erase my URL history!
Class Reflection 2
Posted by: adedoyin on: September 23, 2008
Along with being burned this week for my poor e-ettiquette and unprofessional blogging , I learned alot of useful information about managing an internet identity and the creepy search engines that can be used to dig my digital skeletons out of the closet of the World Wide Web.
Lesson Learned: No more blogging for the rest of my natural born life lol…kidding people
I’ve actually become more comfortable with it. Anyway the Carr article we talked about in class rose alot of interesting points on the ingenuity of revolutionary “IT” and it’s role in innovative processes. I agree with alot of his points; the way I see it now, those lagging behind in the competitive field of IT are those who probably don’t have access to it (not necessairily companies or businesses that use past trend setting systems and software). And since when has innovative success been solely dependant on the latest piece of new software? Naw, definately have to go with my man Carr on that one . Oh wait….professionalism….(clearing throat)…I concur with the arguement Carr proposes in his article. 
Find a great website in your ‘chosen area’
Posted by: adedoyin on: September 17, 2008
This was a hard one lol… I havn’t really chosen an area of study, but I am interested in looking at how international trade can bring about sustainable development in developing countries (especially in Africa). I like to periodically check out the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) because it’s a great forum for learning about how international action and trade policy (both foreign and domestic) work and how they can be made better. Also available on the site are headlines of current events pertaining to trade and sustainable development policy in different countries and a calendar of forum events where policy issues can be debated and discussed. I can’t say it’s the most exciting site on the web, but I find it very informative.
Class reflection 1
Posted by: adedoyin on: September 16, 2008
As you may be able to tell already I’m happy I was able to create a blog and not fail the course before we actually started
I don’t know anything about anything related to the internet…except google and youtube…and wikipedia; gotta love wikipedia…
Anyway, I registered for this class because I figured I need to start on as many requirements as I can. Fortunately I now know that I’ll be able to learn alot of useful information in this course that I can use to impress people. I’m all about big terms and acronyms! But on a more serious note; most of our first class session went a bit over my head, but I’m ready to learn.
