Core 1 Paper: Technology's Friendship

Technology and I have been unwillingly forced into a challenging relationship. It is impossible to deny that technology is ubiquitous, and has immensely influenced communication, education, work, and ultimately the manner in which we live our daily lives today. The ability to use a computer and other technologies becomes a requirement in any field of work, and within other basic environments. For those born during the age of computers, such as myself, technology has the ability to shape the kind of individual someone will be and the kind of life a person will lead. Personally, technology has never captured my attention, but I do recognize that it is vital to understand and to acquire proficiency in technology to thrive in the world today. There are areas that I would like to advance, and there are areas that I will need to perfect in order to succeed in my field of study. Therefore, there is no doubt that technology lives in our world as a prominent force that allows advancement in every area and I will have to progress with the technology world, whether I would like to or not.

Although technology has never been my forte, I can competently operate the general functions of a computer and I understand computers enough to be able to communicate through them. Compared to the avid computer user, such as my older brother that has a major in Computer Programming, I cannot consider myself an expert within the digital media. Nevertheless, I know the average amount needed for school, home, and work; therefore, amongst the general population I consider myself computer literate. If there is anyone I should acknowledge as my initial instructor for the digital media is my older brother. As Brandt would refer to it, he was my “literary sponsor,” the person that turns up in my memory of literacy learning. (Brandt, Deborah) Through his guidelines I was able to learn various aspects of the digital world. As a result, I can properly function an e-mail account, and communicate with others using Instant Messengers. I maintain a couple of blogs online, including one that is shared with three other people. In addition, I have a Youtube account and I know how to record, edit, and upload a video to the site. Throughout my high school career until now, I have owned a laptop and I can properly manage the programs it has, such as Microsoft Office, Movie Maker, Media Player, Windows Power Point, and Paint. Recently, I have learned to use Adobe Photo Shop and Flash, and I was able to learn fairly quickly with the help of my older brother. In the same manner, I learned to master other programs, navigate the Internet, and can even create my own website.

However, there are other areas I would like to improve. For example, I would like to be able to know more about protecting my computers against virus and set up firewalls. I don’t always know the terminology used in the digital world, and I would like to learn more of them to efficiently communicate with even the most avid users. Cell phones have never survived long with me, and I’m not quite sure why; I don’t drop them often and I try to take care of them but somehow they always tend to have complications that are out of my control. I would like to be able to learn about managing a cell phone and the different components in it that can be easily fractured so that I can be able to be more cautious in that area. I would like to learn to use a Mac because I have used Windows ever since I can remember using a computer. I would like to own an iPhone and learn to use it proficiently. Conclusively, in various areas of technology I am savvy, such as Windows programs and online communication, but in other areas I would like to know more such as the terminology and Apple appliances.

Furthermore, it is imperative to learn as much as possible about the technological world because as it advances the world continues to be shaped by the advancements. Most, if not all, careers require general knowledge of computers and other technologies. As an English major I plan to work in the publishing industry, most likely as an editor and within my field of study, technology is not the prime focus but it remains to be a vital tool. The publishing industry has renovated with the introduction of new technology, constantly it is modifying to advance the industry and technology is the advancing force. For example, the Kindle has been introduced into the world of books, the technology to possess and carry multiple books in one appliance. That kind of technology will be incorporated in my profession and I will have to learn to apply it to my daily life. I will have to write using a computer, therefore I will need to know how to properly use a computer and protect my files with my information. As a publisher, I will have to communicate with people from all over the world that want to send me their manuscripts and the best way to keep in contact with everyone will be through email or cell phone. Hence, even in a profession that does not revolve around computers, a basic comprehension of technology is needed.

In conclusion, although I have a well-rounded knowledge of technology, there remains to be several aspects of the digital world that mystifies me. It is vital to hone these areas, because the future holds a technological world in which these skills will be not be a luxury but a necessity. Today, every person in one way or another is affected by technology. The digital media has become a carving tool that shapes each and every person, it has become the tool that is incorporated in almost everything that is done. Every person has their foundation and has their own history of technology, and every person has things that need improvement. The one thing that we can not escape is that technology will continue to advance and we need to have the ability, resources, and knowledge to keep up.

Audience Awareness Assignment

The article, Attention by Proxy? Issues in Audience Awareness for Webcasts to Distributed Groups, primarily focuses on the interaction between student and instructor within the live and distributed lectures. In particular, the article addresses the problems that arise for the instructors as they strive to be aware of and naturally interact with remote students that view lectures as a webcast. The article’s main claim is that a “brute-force” method, using video to imitate the face-to-face environment will most probably miss some vital and subtle facets of classroom audience awareness. However, the authors suggest an alternative approach that utilizes the conveniences of the e-learning environment. In addition, the solution will provide numerous displays and levels of privacy. They indicate a way in which instructors can design their webast systems that will help their interaction with their remote students, which would be through private information exchanged. Ultimately, the interaction between instructor and student in e-learning environments can have a positive impact, but it is difficult to maintain satisfactory results because instructors lack basic awareness of their audience. Therefore, an exploratory study was conducted to understand the kinds of information instructors need to be aware of to interact effectively with their students in elearning environments. The article explains the results to entail that instructors should privately be provided with an overview and detailed data about their students in order to have a better awareness of their audience. Thus, the article suggests that if instructors had a better awareness of their audience e-learning environments would work more effectively.

Part 2: Participate

As an English major I plan to work in the publishing industry, most likely as an editor and within my field of study, technology is not the prime focus but it remains to be a vital tool. The publishing industry has renovated with the introduction of new technology, constantly it is modifying to advance the industry and technology is the advancing force. For example, the Kindle has been introduced into the world of books, the technology to possess and carry multiple books in one appliance. That kind of technology will be incorporated in my profession and I will have to learn to apply it to my daily life. I will have to write using a computer, therefore I will need to know how to properly use a computer and protect my files with my information. Protecting my files will most likely be achieved through backup files and by using programs such as McAfee, as well as setting Firewalls to protect my computer from malicious viruses; I will have to learn more about these kinds of programs in order to use them. As a publisher, I will have to communicate with people from all over the world that want to send me their manuscripts and the best way to keep in contact with everyone will be through email or cell phone. I will need basic computer skills to be able to use a computer for my writing (most likely using Microsoft), and I will need to know how to maintain an email. This can be learned through basic computer science courses. I won’t need a vigorous technological course but I will need a firm foundation.