Introduction
My
introduction from my mid-term self evaluation is quite similar to the start of
this final course reflection “how much of this subject can we possible learn
about?” The answer….., a lot.
I felt by
doing the final project, which included a written assignment and a digital
presentation, was a culmination of what we had learned. For me, I was able to
choose a part of new literacies which I felt was noteworthy enough to report on
and then put my work into a presentation on the internet. This was how I
demonstrated my knowledge and of technology and understanding of the benefits
of utilizing the web through participating in the ‘digital learning community.’
This course
has offered me an understanding of how the internet has created a safe haven
for all people to share information and learn 24 hours 7 days a week. The
internet has engaged some people that probably would have never become a part
of society and has allowed those who struggle with socializing, a way to
communicate and learn from their experiences.
Our society is
fast paced and mobilization has taken center stage. There is no such thing as
“time and place” with the digital era. It has become “here and now.”
Unfortunately, I worry that we have created our own society of ‘impatience’ and
instant gratification. I personally feel that this in itself has created some
of the issues we have with the younger generation in different aspects of their
life. I see there is a correlation with the kids of today who are accustom to
having what they want when they want it., sort of like obtaining something on
the internet…. Right then and there.
When I weigh the
pros and cons of the internet’s development, I can say that the pros certainly
outweigh the cons, but as my final project demonstrated, there is some work to
be done with oversight and censorship. This issue, I feel, falls more in the
hands of federal legislation.
Strengths
While my mind
has been opened up to the tremendous benefits new literacies has offered us, I
have realized that I have actually taken on a more active role in what digital
literacies has to offer. For example, I realize that professional websites,
like colleges and libraries offer a plethora of resources through their
literacy guides. This has been an enormous benefit to me. I now have created my
own literacy guide, which is up to date with new technology and programs. I
also have a better understanding of how to search for new digital literacies
when I am in need of something different for my work.
Since I have
completed the course work I also have a much different perspective on what is
trusted information on the internet and not. While I was always aware of how
the internet was flooded with Dis-information, I now have reliable information
so that when researching or looking for something to support a theory or create
a lesson plan, I can go to my trusted resources and create a lesson plan or
instruction so that my class will have a better understanding of the information
and know that it is credible.
Throughout
this course I have grown to admire Henry Jenkins. My first impression was that
he was dry and spoke about ‘people who were wired to chat rooms and discussed
megabytes and gigabytes.’ Now, I truly feel that he is a wealth of information
and perhaps he should be granted an honorary Ph.D.. In my mind, this is a man
who actually understands the big picture of advancements and how it has created
a place, one we cannot see, but one that anyone at anytime can become a part
of. Participatory Culture has become a virtual place where anyone with any
interest can share anything they want. The fact that mobilization has taken
center stage is just the icing on the cake, because now learning communities,
blogs and chat venues can continue no matter where you are or what else you are
doing. Hence, much of society is multi tasking, yet still participating.
Jenkins’s knowledge is something every student should aspire to obtain. He
understands the multi layered phenomena which has been created all by
networking the globe together. Just as in Vernalis’s Networked Publics (2008), all of what has happened in this age of
mobilized and networked age has benefited many cultures around the globe.
For me this course
has brought about an awakening. I was not blind to the abundance of information
or benefits that digital literacy had to offer, I was just not comfortable with
all that can be and all that will be.
Personal
Improvements
As
this course draws to a close, I have reflected on what I would like to improve
for my personal and professional growth. I will take much of what Lim and Kann
(2008) have highlighted in their work and put it forth in my campaign this
fall. I feel that days of walking house to house to promote yourself is not the
only option. As a matter of fact, Lim and Kann illustrate the enormous benefits
of networking in the mobilized era with social media and on learning
communities. There is a place for political deliberation and I feel that it
will be something I can work on to improve to help promote myself as well as my
vision for the town I live in.
Since
I have been in this course, I have created a website for my campaign:
www.Lori4Supervisor.com. Perhaps, not the most elaborate but I was able to do
so because of what I learned through our blogging. I created that space in
which I can disseminate and share information. In my case I realized that I
need not always share ‘course work’, I can share and highlight me and my views,
thus creating a place for people to interact with me and participate in this
democracy.
I
intend on working on my biased opinion of how the internet causes so much harm
due to its lack of censorship and oversight. Rather I have decided that I will
be a part of that change as I will write to legislatures about working on
creating better policies, regulations and procedures so that potentially we can
try to reduce the illegal acts of child porn, human trafficking and the disseminating
of Dis-information around the globe.
In
the end, I feel that there is always a need for improvement in each and every
one of us and I can attest to the fact that I have learned a great deal because
of this course and I intend to utilize it for the betterment of society in the
future.
