Freeze Blog Post #5

                This article by Christine Rosen brings up many good points that is necessary to share with all social networking fans. Throughout this article Rosen points out how social networking is changing to world as we know it. The way we “social network” is changing relationships along with the view we want others to see. Social networking sites are for all ages according to Rosen. She even points out that there’s a website called “Club Penguin” where little kids can play and communicate with one another. We all know of those parents who want to be “in the loop” so they join Facebook and Twitter. Christine’s main point throughout this whole article is informing everyone on the change of the world and how what used to be certainly isn’t what is now.

                Relationships. That one word has many different meanings. According to social networking it’s only a relationship until its “Facebook official.” I believe many people can relate to Rosen’s story about how the relationship status changed from in a relationship to single and everyone knew through the internet instead of the face to face communication. The intended audience would of course be those who use these social networking sites and those who use them only through the means of sole communication. Some people only use Facebook to communicate with people which is very sad. Also, she is addressing those who put information up on their site. She’s informing people that others can indeed see where they live. She is not applying her words to those who don’t use these sites and who aren’t all about technology and limited communication.

                Rosen is warning those who use these sites that they aren’t safe. Also, she’s trying to explain that people only put what they want others to see up on their profile. We never get to see the real person until we get to know them in person. Most kids and some adults don’t realize how easy it is for some creeper or a college to get into their profile and see who they are trying to hide. Not to mention, future employers look through profiles to determine if someone is fit for the job or not. Christine is just informing the world that what goes on profiles aren’t surely kept a secret. Also, she’s warning that our world is falling into these social networking sites. These sites say that some people have 1000 friends, but they really. Has the term friend changed its meaning too? According to Rosen it has indeed.

                Overall this was a very interesting article to read. Rosen provided great information showing that social networking could possibly be in fact a bad thing if used in a bad way. I agree with her when she says “These virtual networks greatly expand our opportunities to meet others, but they might also result in our valuing less the capacity for genuine connection (Rosen 31).”  Social networking is changing the way we view ourselves and others. I’m very interested to see what happens within the next couple years. 

Rosen, Christine. "Virtual Friendship and the New Narcissism." The New Atlantis - A Journal of    Technology & Society. 17 Nov. 2007. Web. 30 Sept. 2011. <http://www.thenewatlantis.com/publications/virtual-friendship-and-the-new-narcissism>.

Freeze Blog Post #4

The video is found at-

http://youtu.be/TZb0avfQme8

The video that I found is called "You Will" and it was created in 1993. In these four videos it starts with have you ever and ends with you will. After Tom Siracusa asks “have you ever” he goes on to say things that you are going to be able to do in the future. The video campaign shows images of people doing what Tom is talking about. It makes it look like technology is going to transform and that it was starting to transform then, at that point in time. The imaging is very good for it being back in 1993 where technology had just started to take off. The images shown are very detailed when they come onto the screen. It looks like the technology has already come out.

In the video every image of someone using technology catches my attention. The maker did a good job just trying to create an atmosphere where it actually looks like the future is falling upon us when I watch it. The ad is very well organized. They start the same way and end with saying how AT&T will basically provide for the future.

In the “you will” ads the creator attracts the audience by showing things that are going to happen in the future. Everyone loves hearing about the future and people love seeing what’s going to happen next. This also is a video so the campaign always to actually show what could possibly be in the future; therefore it shows the fact that what AT&T has to say is realistic. The whole point of this video is to show the world what AT&T has to offer and basically to stick with them throughout the next years. Even that will capture an audience, but the visuals used completely add to the campaigns.

Throughout this video ethos, logos and pathos are most definitely shown. This video is showing that people should stick with AT&T while they figure out how to bring the future to the present. It’s logical to choose AT&T because they have the big ideas that may change people’s lives in the near future. Also, the ethos part of this ad would have to be the fact that the creators made it look so real. This ad shares to stand behind AT&T because they know basically what they are doing and have big plans for the future and for the company. Therefore, with the video the company shows that they will be around for all of the new innovations of the future. The company also gets to your emotions a little bit as well. When they show the mom chatting with a baby through a pay phone it reaches to your emotions. You want to be able to stay with AT&T for solely the reason to communicate with your family members.

This ad appeals to a lot of audiences. In the spectrum we have people who aren’t following AT&T and those who are. The people who aren’t are convinced that they should because they are going to be coming out with the future innovations. Also, it appeals to their customers by convincing them to stick with the company and to not leave and go to another company. This ad attracts these two different audiences through simply showing that they will be the top in the future. The campaign shows that AT&T will develop the technology for the future to make life easier and faster.

This ad makes a lot of assumptions about the audience. They for one believe that the audience even knows what they do and what their product is that they are selling. If one never heard of AT&T before then they may not understand the commercial. Also, the ad assumes that the customers understand that it will take a while for the future to come. It’s never specified when the cooler technology will be on the market which is a negative effect of the ad.

Within the ad they’re many places where people could relate to. Like for instance on the beach, on a business trip wanting to talk to you children, in a cram to read a book without a library, and just all the different scenarios that are brought up can all be related to. These are all connected to the advertisement through the fact that the future is upon us and that the technology is going to happen sooner than later. These associations may motivate customers to get connected with AT&T and buy the technology they have out right then and then wait until they release what they promised in the video.

Is commercial was found on YouTube. Originally when it was aired it was a commercial on television. The use of this on a commercial back in 1993 made a huge impact on the way people started looking at AT&T. They were using a technological device to air a commercial about the future technological devices. This was the most effective choice at the time to let people know what AT&T had in store for the world. They could show people through a device that more advanced devices were being formed while they were just sitting there. 

Bibliography:

"Kicker Studio: AT&T’s “You Will” Ads, 15 Years Later." Kicker Studio: A Design Company. Web. 23 Sept. 2011. <http://www.kickerstudio.com/blog/2009/02/atts-you-will-ads-15-years-later/>.

Morris, Jerod. "Video: AT&T You Will Ads From 1993 Accurately Predict Future." Corporate Compliance Insights: Compliance Online Journal for Compliance Professionals. Corporate Compliance Insights, 05 Jan. 2011. Web. 23 Sept. 2011. <http://www.corporatecomplianceinsights.com/2011/att-you-will-ads-predict-future-video/>.

In class writing #4

The image that is used is showing whoever goes to the website that the agriculture school is an awesome program. The picture is of an open and with a barn and a cow. Also, students are surrounding the cow. The image says how great the agriculture school is here. The colors on the website are of course maroon and orange with a little bit of white, blue and green. There's an image to the side of the university and it's very attractive to the eye. The site is appealing and has links to guide a person where to go. There's text present to right next to the picture about how great the agriculture program is. Also we remember is up in the upper right hand corner. Virginia Tech is across the upper left hand corner. The homepage appeals to students and parents along with students who are applying or even looking at the school. The homepage shows "Hokie spirit" and how tech is not only a college but a community as well. Also, it says how great and beautiful the school is. Going along with that the website provides information about how tech has endless opportunities.

Freeze Blog Post #3

            Everyone that I have ever known makes fun of me for the shear fact that I love Miley Cyrus. I don’t know why I do, but I believe she is just another celebrity that let fame get to her. From day one I have been a fan and I will be a fan until I die. Go figure, I searched Miley Cyrus! From the time I hit enter it took .9 seconds, according to Google, to find 200 million results. My first three websites are Wikipedia, Miley Cyrus Official Site and her Twitter. I would say that the Wikipedia page is just talking about her life and also her accomplishments. Her site has pictures, information about her, and events of what she is doing. Also, her Twitter comes up which tells me what she has been up too and just talking about her life.

            I believe that all of these are related for the mere fact that they all provide information about Miley Cyrus and 2 out of the 3 are more based on things that she has done or has posted about. Therefore, I would say that they are all similar to each other. I was very curious to see if what Eli was talking about in the article happens to my roommate and me. I would love to see if two separate articles show up and what types of articles pop up on her Google search!

            When Katie, my roommate, looked up Miley Cyrus she came up with everything I came up with. It even took her Google .9 seconds to retrieve everything related to Miley Cyrus. Our search ended up being the exact same. I’m not too surprised at what I found though. My roommate and I just recently got our computers and we haven’t really been looking things up on Google or going to random websites. We both just find ourselves on Facebook. Also, we are from the same area and like about the same amount of things so therefore it didn’t surprise me when it came up with the same amount of results and the same top three websites.

             I was really hoping to see a difference in websites between the two of us. Although it didn’t work for me I still believe in Pariser’s argument. Honestly, I find that to be a little unsettling that Google knows your likes. Personally I like to meet people and tell them my likes in person. I’m not a big fan of being limited to the amount of information that Google “says” that I like. Personally, who is Google to tell me what I like and what I don’t. I find this search to be a bad thing for me, but a good thing for businesses that are targeting people like me. You see, I don’t like looking through all of Google to find what I want so normally I just hit the first or second link. So therefore I see the advertisements and information off of the first or second website, which benefits the business.

            Even though it’s good for businesses I believe that it’s bad for me. I don’t want to see a limited view of what Google has picked out for me based on my searches. I may search things for class and then it say that I like research topics, but in fact I had to look up a research topic for a class. Therefore I want to be able to pick and choose based off of what I know about myself. Since, I would say that I know more about myself than a website. I don’t believe that the Internet is a space for free knowledge and exchange of ideas. I believe yes it is an exchange of ideas, but it’s not free knowledge. We have to pay for the knowledge by, according to Eli, getting tracked by each website and by Google trying to find what you like or would like to see on certain searches.

Pariser, Eli. The Filter Bubble: What the Internet Is Hiding from You. New York: Penguin, 2011. Print.

In Class Writing #3

1) What images and text are present in the ad?
- There is a man sitting next to a woman holding a sandwich. There is a V on a red background. It seems that they are having a simple conversation. "God work sister, we never figured you could do a man-sized job" is written on the poster. Also, the text basically says that women have stepped up to the plate.
2) What is the purpose? What in the text makes you believe that?
- The purpose is to show that women can do a "man-sized" job. Also it comes across that they can do what men do. Most men didn't think a woman could do their jobs. Also, the purpose is to get other women out on the man's jobs. The texts show that they were surprised that a women could even do a man's job. Also, it shows this man talking to the woman as an equal.
3) Who is the audience?
The audience is to men and to women. It's first off showing that women can do a man's job. Also, when men see this ad they may become encouraged to start to work in the force since other women have "met the test."
4) Who do you think the creator is?
The government seems to be the creator of this poster/ad. It's showing that women are equal and can step up and do a man's job.
5) Rhetorical appeals-
Ethos- It's ethical to help your country out when it is needed.
Logos- If your country needs help it is logical to help out anyway you can.
Pathos- It is appealing to woman through emotion saying that you can help out your country.

Freeze Blog Post #2

Carr says it all in one of his first paragraphs. He says “research that once required days in the stacks of periodical rooms of libraries can now be done in minutes (Carr).” What Carr is saying that with honestly a couple minutes you can have all the information you need with just a couple clicks of a mouse. Therefore do we really need libraries, paper books, and well paper overall? Yes. I am a strong believer in doing things the “old way.” A school for digital natives would be composed of half technology classes and half paper and pencil classes.

“For those two-thirds of grade-school kids, if for no one else, it’s high time we redesigned American education (Heffernan).” Heffernan does have a point. A little before that quote he was talking about how kids that are in school are learning about jobs that don’t even exist yet. Therefore it’s important for digital natives to be introduced to technology and teach them the basics. Once the basics are in their head then the teacher can move on to more complicated aspects of technology. Kids do need to learn about their era that they are in. Therefore it is imperative that they have the chance to learn about digital technologies in a classroom setting not just at home when blogging to their friends.

According to Carr he has a hard time focusing on blogging or even writing, which of course he blames on the internet. I don’t disagree with that. I too get distracted by the internet. Therefore, classrooms should be taught old school. Grade kids all the way up to high school kids need to have a pencil and notebook paper out on their desks for a least half the day. They need to take notes with the pencil and turn in hand written papers on lined notebook paper. Kids need to learn one how to spell since once they use technology it practically does it for them. Also, kids need to keep their basic writing skills in tack.

      To be a little biased SOLs should not be given to students to take. If a student doesn’t try hard enough to pass the class but then passes the SOLs with flying colors and ends up passing the class because of it isn’t fair for the kid who failed the SOL but passed the class. SOLs shouldn’t be taken because it’s all about the teacher you get. If a teacher was really good at teaching then you’d be fine. A student who was unlucky and gets a bad teacher than you wouldn’t do too well. That’s not the kids fault. Also, SOLs don’t prepare the student for anything of the future. It just tests on the bare minimum. It also contains teachers into only teaching the structure of the SOL. What good does that do in the future, when according to Heffernan everything’s going to change anyway? SOLs lack the questions about technology and limit teachers what good does that do in this century?

      Even though this world is turning into a digital world, teachers are still needed to be there for students. One it gives the students and teacher face to face communication. Which we all know we need since social networking is becoming huge in our world. Also, students can ask the teacher questions and have them answered right away. Teachers also can describe things better and students can pay attention more. If the class is done through online then the student can easily be distracted. Therefore a classroom with a teacher standing up lecturing is the best thing that our world can keep these days.

      The world today is changing all around us. Classrooms do need to make a change. The change though has to be a mixture of digital technology and old school pen and paper. Students need to learn the basics of both of these things. If pen and paper get taken away then students may not have the basic knowledge of how to write grammatically correct without a computer present. Basic classes still need to be taught along with technological classes. It needs to be equal. I do agree with Heffernan when he says “the new classroom should teach the huge array of complex skills that come under the heading of digital literacy (Heffernan).” We do need to teach the future about digital technology. Yet I also agree with Carr’s statement “the last thing these companies want is to encourage leisurely reading or slow, concentrated though (Carr).” Carr is right too we don’t have to think very deeply anymore because the internet does it for us. What good is that? Therefore, finding a common ground would be most beneficial for the 21st century classrooms.

Bibliography

Carr, Nicholas. "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" The Atlantic July-Aug. 2008. Web. 5 Sept.2011.               <http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2008/07/is-google-making-us-stupid/6868/>.

Heffernan, Virginia. "Education Needs a Digital-Age Upgrade." New York TImes 7 Aug. 2011.                  Print.

     

Freeze Blog Post #1

1.      1. Moving into 6^th grade was most definitely a huge change for me. Along with going to a new school all the students at Short Pump were given their own personal computer for the year. We literally had that computer at our side from 6^th grade all the way up till our 8^th grade graduation. It was awesome having this computer, but I was one of the slowest typists in my class. Luckily, I had signed up for the “wheel.” The “wheel” was where a student could sign up for a class for each nine weeks. After a nine weeks would be up then they would switch to the class for the second nine weeks and so on. I believe my keyboarding class was in the second nine weeks. My class was hard because the teacher would put cardboard over your hands and then you would type out a sentence. You were graded one how well you typed out the sentence. One mistake would be minus five points. Two mistakes would be minus ten points and so on. Therefore, learning how to type would be very important especially for the nine week grade. Every time we walked into the class we would start our assigned computer and start up a warm-up. It was my favorite time of the class because our warm-up was really a game.  Needless to say I learned my basic skill of typing in that class. Now I can type and not even look at the keyboard. 

2.      2. Yes, I do see a lot of similarities between some of the websites that I read. For instance on Melissa’s autobiography she had to take a computer class since she was in kindergarten. Also, she mentioned that her teacher covered her keyboard as well. The age is different though, I was in middle school at the time of my first computer class, yet she had her first computer class in elementary school. On Kristin’s page she mentioned how she was introduced to the computer lab when she was in elementary school as well. She never fully stated though that she had to learn to type or even simply when she learned. According to Claire in Through the Years she played on the computer but never specified if she took a class on how to type. I believe that through her playing on the computer she was learning skill about how to write.

3.      3. According to the different article and from my understanding to be digitally literate is understanding the use of technology and being capable of learning the different digital technologies that are foreign to us. Even though Technology is rapidly expanding being able to be literate in the advances lets users know how to work the device with little too few directions. Just like a language schools teach students how to be literate in digital technologies. That is a part of the curriculum these days. In order to be digitally literate you need to have an open mind and an understanding of technology. I believe that Kristen said the definition of a digital native the best “I feel like they have been there forever.” Honestly to be a digital native is to know how to speak the language. Natives know how to flow and that is the same as a digital native. They know how technology flows.

4.      4. In order for my generalizations to be true I would need to basically match up a digital native with a digital immigrant. Also, I would have to see how they obtained the information about technology and how often they use it. Also I would have to look and see how many schools are teaching based off of technology. Therefore if schools are teaching based off of technology they are teaching their students how to become digitally literate. Based on our class discussion people believe that digital literate means to be “fluent.” Also, they believe that the digital natives are people who can use technology with not a lot of thought and can use it well. According to Kristin her computer usage grew up when she grew up.  She hit her “technology revolution” when she was in high school. I believe that is true for most digital natives. They grow up with all of this technology yet they start really using it by the time they’re 14 or 15.

Bibliography:

Clinnin, Kaitlin. "Intro to Digital Technology 8/24." Video blog post. Prezi. Prezi INC., Aug.-Sept.       2011. Web. Aug.-Sept. 2011. <http://prezi.com/flykj0aogiyy/intro-to-digital-technology-824/>
Couillard, Claire. Through the Years: A Technology Literacy Narrative. Web. Aug.-Sept. 2011.              <https://scholar.vt.edu/access/content/group/2a92dc99-d203-48aeab73b6922383b165                /Unit%201%20Readings/a_technology_literacy_narrativefinal.pdf>

Higgins, Melissa. “Web Literacy Autobiography,” Bgsu.com.   Web. July-Aug. 2011. <http://www.bgsu.edu/cconline/Karper/student-work/eagles.niagara.edu_80/mhiggins/WebLiteracyAutobiographyintro.html>

Peworchik, Kristin. "My Web Literacy Biography." Bgsu.com. Web. July-Aug. 2011. <http://www.bgsu.edu/cconline/Karper/student-work/eagles.niagara.edu_80/kpeworchik/FrontPage.html>.