I know it was a little nerve-wracking for the first group of presenters yesterday, but they all did a great job and have some interesting topics to discuss. I’m not really sure what to blog but I’ll give it my best shot.
Lorena S.: Internet censorship in China
Ever since the whole Google thing with China there has been much interest and debate about internet censorship. Lorena posed some very good questions about Internet censorship that Chinese citizens face. The idea that the Internet is censored on governmental and private levels is a little mindblowing. As Americans it’s easy to see how we can take our freedoms for granted. We have access to any amount of sites and information we choose to seek out, regardless if there is a certain amount of censorship. But for Chinese citizens, everything is limited; everything is taboo. Without effective change censorship could possibly have global effects on the digital divide.
Sheila N.: Traditional gender roles found in meatspace are reinforced and perpetuated in social networking sites FB, MySpace, StarDoll
The most interesting aspect of Sheila’s presentation (as discussed in class) was Club Penguin’s genderless social site for kids and how participants enforce their own gender roles by making a shout out to others. (“Say ‘I’ if you’re a boy!) I had also been aware of the StarDoll site, but think that Club Penguin provides a wonderful platform for further exploring her topic. Their purpose in providing a genderless site and getting gender filtering from participants was surprising. Are there more sites like Club Penguin? Are other sites like Whyville applicable to how gender is further perpetuated in online & in meatspace?
Maurice S.: Modern cell phones and connection to cyberspace are closing digital divide but is changing how agriculture is done in rural America.
Very interesting topic Maurice. It never occurred to me how rural citizens are affected by the digital divide. Perhaps it's bc I don't have to worry if I have access or not. Knowing that mobile technology not only helps farmers save time as well as money is huge! With the way today's economy is (even on a global scale) having the edge on weather patterns can make or break a farmer and their livelihood. It's a great example of how mobile technology is changing the way many businesses are done, especially from a rural perspective. I especially liked the example you used of rural African farmers gaining an edge at market bc of mobile technology.
Corrinda L: Education thru gaming
Can children thru gaming: what do or don’t they learn? My son isn't really into video games yet but does have a fascination with computers. It will be interesting to see how my son responds to a site like Funbrain.com and if he'll be fascinated enough between the content of the site and using the computer to stick with it. (He's only 3 after all)
I have been inundated with information concerning the importance of reading to and with my child since before he was born. I am constantly questioning if I'm doing this enough. I think kids are indeed changing the face of learning and since you're an educator you get to experience first hand some ways that gaming is helping children learn. You have a very good topic and I would be interested to know the conclusions you come to in your paper.
Kathleen C.: Old school vs Internet changing the way we see politics
I think you have a very good foundation for your topic but I got the feeling it was more of a report rather than an argument. I don't have a strong suggestion on how to pose an argument for this paper, but exploring how the Internet has really changed the way politicians are reaching out and relating to their constituents is very interesting. Voting in an African-American president was no doubt a landmark in American history, but his approach in using blogs and social media to relate and communicate with American citizens put politics in a new realm. I liked your comment about politics being a marketing campaign. I think it's always kinda been a marketing campaign but again, the Internet changes how it's done. It also leaves politicians in a vulnerable position; they are putting themselves in the hot seat for tight public scrutiny. Will the Internet make politicians more honest then? Hmmm...
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