Scholarly Article #1 - The Evolution of Writing

While this article was a little difficult for me to understand, I feel that the main point of it was the idea that new media (e.g. writing, technology, etc.) expands human consciousness. Media gives us the capability to not only understand and gain more knowledge, but also to leave that knowledge in places for others to partake of, such as with books, the Internet, and so forth. From my experience, I think this is true. It makes me think of how I can easily pick up on and keep track of the multiple subplots in a new film while my mom struggles to keep up (don't get me started on my grandma).

Even between just one generation, the ability to understand media has grown. The same is true for what we see on the Internet; people's ability to keep up with multiple sources, such as with social media, grows through their exposure to it. That, I would say, is why we see such computer illiteracy among older generations; refusal to take part in new technologies limits their consciousness, and thus their understanding, from expanding into knowledge. It doesn't make sense because they actually won't allow it to.

Digital Literacy Autobiography

My earliest memories of learning to use a computer are from elementary school. We used the school computer lab to play learning games. I remember that when I finished the assigned activity, I was always excited to play the computer game "Oregon Trail." I don't recall specifically being taught how to use the computer; it feels like I've just always known, even if I know that's not true.

I remember first using the internet much more clearly. My dad first showed me when my little brother and I came to visit him at work. I think that we just used a search engine to look at Pokémon stuff. I remember being so excited about internet, despite it being very slow.

The first social media that I ever used was Myspace; I set up my account in middle school. I only ever messed around with finding cool background images and background music, though. I don't remember ever actually posting much of anything. I set up a LiveJournal account in high school, but again, rarely posted anything. I joined Facebook in my early twenties, but I went for nearly a year without ever using it. I'm not sure what caused the switch, but after a time, I actually began exploring Facebook and posting. I still use Facebook, generally just to share funny pictures. I joined Twitter about a week ago, but only because I had to for a school requirement. I'm more of a social media lurker.

Advantages of getting supplementary online support for this and other courses adds convenience and immediacy. If I need to look up a syllabus, an assignment, and so forth, I can do so on Canvas very easily. I typically don't have to wait for a teacher to give me the material. The disadvantage is that there isn't a human element. If I have questions, I have to wait for an answer, which hopefully makes sense when I receive it. The other disadvantage is being reliant on the internet, which can stop operating if the computer, server, modem, or even just the power goes out.

To limit disadvantages and maximize advantages, both students and the professor need to be diligent about utilizing the online support--no ignoring it for weeks.

Hello, world! :)