Final Reflection

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.