A few more links...

Because I forgot to include it earlier, here is a quick pointer to one version of an assignment by UT Dallas professor, David Parry, in which he required his students to use Twitter. David also has written quite a bit about Twitter's uses for academia.

Sample Teaching Blog

Just thought you might be interested in checking out The Open Letter Project, another university where blogging is being used. Jeff Ringer, the course instructor, teaches at the University of New Hampshire, and his course focuses on public rhetoric. I'll add it to the side bar later, but it's a great example of how blogs can be used.

Google Readings

In addition to the readings from the textbook, there are two online readings this week on Google and other search engines:

• Helene Hembrooke, et al, "In Google We Trust," (longish PDF).
• Nicholas Carr, "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" The Atlantic.

Twitter

Wow! I read the article entitled "Twitter: How Scared Should We Be?" and I was amazed at the unflattering comments made by the author. While I don't fully comprehend the frenzy surrounding Twitter, I don't discount it and those who use it as useless. I do find it hard to believe that people have the time to "tweet" and check others "tweets" and maintain a continuous dialogue about meaningless matters. However, I thought the tone of the article was a bit harsh and unwarranted.

My Twitter Thoughts

I wasn't planning to do this, but I ended up blogging about Twitter, too, over on my personal blog. After reading Alexander Zaitchik's column in AlterNet, I couldn't really resist.

Twitter

What is Twitter? Well, before enrolling in this class I never heard of Twitter. However, it seems pretty interesting because their are alot of people who have Twitter accounts. Twitter is a great deal of things based on my research. Twitter is social messaging, news reporting, and media marketing.Twitter is being used to keep up with people or get in touch with people. It could be on the job or for just socializing with friends. It is appears to be a good way to communicate via the Internet and people have truly taken advantage of it. Twitter, Facebook, and Myspace, seem to be the most popular ways to communicate on line. I also recognized that during the inauguration, the news reporters on CNN kept mentioning their Twitter pages. They wanted people to log on and post comments about the inauguration. I was kind of excited about it because I knew it was something that I was learning about in class. This was a unique way of keeping up with what people were thinking about the inauguration and a historical moment in history. Furthermore, people were able to post what they thought about the CNN broadcast. The news anchors were constantly talking about the comments people were posting. The media marketing aspect of Twitter is also very interesting. During the Presidential campaign the Internet was used alot by President Obama's campaign. This was the first time in the history of the Presidential campaign that the Internet was so widely used. I think this one of the advantages for President Obama. This gave him an advantage over Senator McCain because President Obama was able to reach more people through the Internet. Twitter is a wonderful way to keep people informed or for just socializing. I think that my objective will probably be socializing, which is fun!

Texting

SSL (Sorry So Late)

Unfortunately I was not able to read the chapter “How Weird is Texting?” written by David Crystal since I do not have the book Txtng:The Gr8 Db8. According to summaries and comments written about this piece, Crystal provides an in-depth look at the history and effects of texting. In order to have an idea of where he was coming from, I decided to do a little research on texting myself. Although I had never considered using Wikipedia as a source, I decided that I would this time. It allowed me to find out a lot about texting. Texting, or text messaging, is a part of what is called the Short Message Service (SMS). Did you know that texting has been available not only on mobile phones, but even through the computer? As a matter of fact the first text message was sent via a pager. In 1989 NASA sent a text with a Motorola beeper by “using upside down numbers that could be read as words and sounds.” This reminds me of the messages we used to create with the calculator like 7734, aka hELL. While it continued to evolve, it was primarily used by the deaf and hearing impaired. According to Wikipedia, use by the general public didn’t really take off until the year 2000.
In the piece written by John Sutherland entitled Cn u txt? You can obviously tell that Sutherland has a little something against the idea of texting when you notice how he describes it as “snot-talk” because it’s like blowing your nose on tissue(text is Latin for the word tissue) and then throwing it away. I believe he takes the coward’s way out of expressing his true feelings by blaming them on educators--of course. He says that “Wood-headed educationists will point out that it's a forgiving system: it masks dyslexia, poor spelling and mental laziness. Texting is penmanship for illiterates….” Now teachers, how do you like being called “wood-headed”? And how do you like being falsely quoted in this manner? Well, I don’t! Still, even though I cringe to say it, he does, however, go on to say something that makes sense. And that is the statement that since young people are so used to using their fingers to play hand held video games, it is only befitting for them to take so easily to the concept of texting. But he doesn’t help his case that I have against him by comparing text users to monkeys, or more accurately--apes. Although Sutherland ends his point in an underlying negative tone, he does admit that even though we are now writing, or texting, more than we are speaking, we are nevertheless writing and are therefore “all scribes.” From this article, we see that texting has had an effect in so many ways. As I continued my research via Wikipedia, I discovered other effects of texting technology. First, students use it for cheating on tests and bullying other kids. Lies have been recorded and used in the court of law; advertisers have taken advantage of texting in whatever way they see fit, and riots have occurred. Nevertheless, texting has had positive effects such as allowing people to vote for their American idol, reach out to potential voters for the president of the United States of America, and to rally up a group efficiently. Unfortunately, it still appears to have had more negative upshots than good such as the arrival of something that I choose not to delve into as it may reflect a bit of weirdness on my part which I do not claim. This purely negative result of texting has led to what is coined as sexting. It may be consensual or unfortunately unwelcomed. This phenomenon is reported to have occurred as early as 2005. That’s all I have to say about that. But, I cannot end this blog on this note; so lastly I would have to say this:
After viewing the various web sites that I chose to look at, I actually never realized that there were so many abbreviations in the language of texting until I discovered the Texting Dictionary from the site maxabout.com. Here are some that I found interesting and they have the following meanings:
*<:o)>

Santa Claus
:-
Angry
:-~)
Having a cold
:’-(
Crying
GAL
Get A Life
GMTA
Great minds think alike
GR8
Great
KISS
Keep it simple, stupid
KIT
Keep in touch
KOTC
Kiss on the cheek
KOTL
Kiss on the lips
L8
Late
L8r
Later
LDR
Long distance relationship
LMAO
Laugh my ass off
LOL
Laughing out loud
RUOK?
Are you Ok?
TDTU
Totally devoted to you
THX
Thank You
THX40
Thanks for nothing!
W8
Wait...
WAG
Wild ass guess
WAN2
Want to
WB
Welcome Back
WLUMRyMe
Will you marry Me?
WRT
With respect to
WTF
What the f...
WTG
Way to go!
WUF
Where are you from?
WUWH
Wish you were here
X
Kiss
X!
Typical Woman
Y!
Typical Man

Finally, my only question is how can anyone become completely fluent in a language that is so ever-changing and has so many dual meanings? Can't the intent of a message get lost? How can such a language become standard in its own nature?

Texting and Language

Before reading this chapter in Crystal's book, The Gr8 Db8, I didn't value the "art" of texting. In fact, I despised it because my students continually turned in assignments written in "textese." Not until the completion of this chapter did I realize the complexity of the language and the sophistication involved in order to create meaningful messages. According to Sutherland, "text is penmanship for illiterates" but an illiterate doesn't posses the knowledge to abbreviate words in such a way that they convey ideas. Viewing the poetry entries allowed be to appreciate the art of text in a new and respectful way. I think I might challenge my students to write a poem using "textese" in order to promote higher order thinking skills.

Wikipedia

According to the article, "Wikipedia users tend to be more tech-savvy than the rest of the population, and because tech-savvy individuals are more likely to have science and engineering backgrounds, entries on these topics are some of the strongest in the encyclopedia. This website has grown into an immensely useful resource for background information on a wide range of scientific subjects, and can serve as a quick reference for any number of scientific facts. " While these statement bode well for wikipedia's accuracy it doesn't defend why elementary and high school students would need to access this resource. I am not a wikipedia user (maybe because I'm not a scientist or tech-savvy) but I have always been able to find the (mundane) information that I needed. I think elementary, middle and high school students would fail to benefit from such "scholarly" entries.

Interactive Audiences

I read Jenkin's article several times because I found it a bit confusing. After the third read through I believe that I have the overall gist of the article. I find myself on the outside of the technological movement and don't know many people who have taken up arms in its quest of world domination. I use computers for work and school but beyond that I do not find myself in the "cosmopedia" described by Levy. I don't contribute to fandoms, blogs (except for this class :), nor do I purchase or sell items via the internet. As I look around my classroom, my students are very similiar to me in their use of technology. One might argue that culture might play a role in this "phenomenon" but I can't sustiantiate such a claim. Is it a socio-economic issue or is it rooted in a fear of change? These are questions that I raised as I read the article because while it talked about engaging the young teenage boy who is technologically savvy, I couldn't identify this boy. I think these casts a light on Jenkin's view about society and his assumptions that "everyone" has and will embrace these technologiacl advancements.

Writing and Citizenship: Using Blogs to Teach First-Year Composition

Dr. Tryons writing...Wow! I feel almost compelled to be endearing while blogging about this...I mean brown nosing to get an "A" right??? LOL!!

I like the fore thought of this writing. Dr. Tryon's goal was to find ways for students to take charge of their writing, to provide them with a sense that writing matters. Richard Ohmann's description was right on the money: "The supposition that higher education and schooling in general serve a democratic society by nourishing hearty citizenship." All writing should foster citizenship and create connections between the classroom and the real world. The use of Web logs I'm not sure of though. Reading should be relevant to the reader, not necessarily the professor or teacher! Blogging is a fun and innovative way to teach and learn, as I am enjoying it tremendously! I will agree that blogging communities do have a reputation for being on the wild side adhering to little boundaries! Which for some parents, and adults who have strong religious beliefs might shun away from this type of curriculum connection, but I would remind those very people that you can't shelter yourself nor your children from everything their entire life. At some point and time people have to experience some things if for nothing else than to open their minds, learn a tolerance, an acceptance, and then how to maneuver around today's idiosyncrasies with ease and political correctness.

Bloggers responding to his assignment with flattery to snark is not uncommon. I am sure that didn't unhenge his door at all! The rhetorical strategies that foster an unhealthy use of language should probably be rethought, or at the least consider the source. There is never room for sensitivity or taking things too personal when blogging. I mean you are opening yourself to a realm of people from all facets of life, so no need to fret. With access to the outside world, or access to think outside the box you are able to create a clearer picture or more diverse opinions about the subject matter. Life is not without taking risks!

Interactive Audiences? The Collective Intelligence Of Media Fans

First let me start out by saying I am not a big fan of reading such long passages! Too much long windedness!!! OK..so with that said here goes..

I like how this began..."You got fifteen seconds. Impress me."

We teach fourth grade students to begin each narrative with a "Hook!" A hook is described as an attention grabber! So kudos to Henry Jenkins!

I did enjoy how the new youth consumers were depicted. Although the blonde hair may not always be the case. That isn't exactly "politically correct." The no longer a coach potato I think hits the nail on the head! Today's computer savvy teens appear to be big gammers as well! Some adults might see this as couch potato behavior, but those gammers take it pretty serious!

The cultural studies spoken of is a little out dated! Technology has made quick changes that reach beyond what most people can grasp on to before the next innovation hits. Technology has unleashed a new liberation of this world and everyone in it. Gone are the days of having to sell items at a yard sale, or at a thrift store. You don't even have to purchase an article in the newspaper to solicite sales. Todays technology has promoted sites like Craigs List, My Space, Facebook, etc. that promote do it yourself, free sites to promote anything you take a shining to. For all that goes a hard working person who has no time nor desire to meet singles at a bar can go online and meet any kind of singles they desire and for free at that!

Levy is correct when he said he sees contemporary society as caught in a transitional moment, whose outcome is still unknown, but which has enormous potentials for transforming existing structures of knowledge and power. A critical utopianism....maybe....a correct statement when dealing with the dinosaurs of yester year...probably so!

Computers are forever changing the face of the world! Look at the Lifetime Channel and you'll see that! Fans can go online and follow series, blog comments, questions, etc. A huge movement from the years when my father had to listen to television on a radio.

Wikipedia and the New Curriculum

The article Wilkipedia and the New Curriculum talks about how Wilkipedia is not always factual. I agree that it is not always a good source to use, when comes to getting the best information. However, many of our students use it faithfully to do research. I don't have a problem with students using this as a source, but I do have a problem with students using it as their main source of information. The misinformation can be damaging for students if they don't do their research. Accuracy is very important when students do research. Allowing anyone to edit can turn into a big problem. Should Wilkipedia be banned? I don't think it should be banned, but I think students need to understand that all the information on Wilkipedia may or may not be true. Anyone can use Wilkipedia to post information and that information may be false. However, Wilkipedia can be used as another added resource for students.

Wikipedias/Wikis

What fascinates to me about the article Interactive Audiences? The Collective Intelligence of Media Fans by Henry Jenkins is learning that even before On Line technology existed, there was already a “web” network where “ fan communities” could participate in learning about new technologies and where they could “debate theories and assess new technologies” through magazines they read or by listening to the radio. This idea came about through the works of Hugo Gernsbeck in the 1920’s and the 1930’s. This concept was a realization of what Jenkins described as Pierre Levy’s idea of “the cosmopedia,” or the idea that “…citizens more fully realize the potentials of the new media environment.” No doubt, new technology has had its pros and cons. Before this high speed super highway, fans communicated or rallied together either ineffectively or inefficiently. They now do so quicker and with more favorable results. However, technology can leave out groups of fans either due to the fact that they are slow to equip themselves with On Line access or they are slow to view current material and end up learning more about it than they were ready for. This would be like going to the movies after someone told you what it was about. It takes the fun out of it. This article also reminds me of the article Why Heather Can Write. In that article, fans were using the net to recreate a novel, here fans are using the net and other technologies to recreate movies and television shows. This desire to recreate someone else’s work reminds me of the idea behind Wiki’s. Here, the author’s original work is constantly being edited by random viewers. In David Perry’s article Wikipedia and the New Curriculum: Digital Literacy Is Knowing How We Store What We Know he writes strongly about the importance of schools allowing students to use Wikipedia as a tool and to understand its function and benefits. Our school system would be one that he would not want to work at because we disallow the use of this site. I believe this is the case because unlike his ideal scenario of students actually “…consult[ing] the discussion and history pages…” this type of inquiry is something that they would not do on their own. The students that we teach would use the information as gospel without doing any further research on its authenticity.

Quick links for class

Here are a couple of links I'd like to discuss in class tonight:

• Fake and real Twitter celebrities
• Dead Media Archive (a good sample wiki, too)
  

Blog Weirdness

In my previous post, I had some trouble with some unexpected and unwanted formatting codes popping up. Once I deleted them, everything was cool, but let me know if you are having problems getting things to publish.

Future Readings

Some quick links to next week's readings:

• Henry Jenkins, "Interatcive Audiences." This version of Jenkins' essay covers essentially the same ground as the essay in Fans, Bloggers, and Gamers. The main concept I'd like you to address is Jenkins' engagement with Pierre Levy's concept of "colletcive intelligence."
• Clay Shirky, "Personal Motivation," is available from Here Comes Everybody.
• David Parry, "Wikipedia and the New Curriculum," is available from Science Progress.
• Madeliene Sorapure, et al. "Web Literacy," is available in Michelle Sidler, et al, eds.

Pencils to Pixels

Usually I read parts of an assigned article and jot down comments as I go. But this time I was so fascinated with what Dennis Baron had to say that I couldn’t stop reading (listening to) what he had to say until he broke into the section The Stages of Literacy Technologies. Maybe it was the fluidity of his writing, or maybe it was just the fact that I agreed with everything he was talking about. Although I think it was both, I believe that it was really because of the latter. We depend on computer technology an awful lot even to the point where some of us have a hard time using basic writing utensils such as paper and pencil. I believe that this word processing technology has physically rewired our brains (those of us who use computers the most) to literally “default” to a computerized way of thinking, reasoning, and generating ideas to the point where we cannot do it by hand. I wonder if cave men felt this way before history was recorded if it is indeed true that “…writing itself, [was] initially met with suspicion…” Under the heading The Technology of Writing, I thought that it was funny how one of the world’s greatest thinkers, Plato, professed that writing would “…weaken our memories,” when today educators believe that taking notes benefits students because “they remember more when they write it down.” While this article sends an unbiased message that technology is accepted and opposed by many, it still explains that the computer is a necessary tool to advance our modern-day intelligence and communication needs. Baron reminds us that the pencil, like the computer, while simple and basic, has been and continues to be as necessary and important as the computer. He continues to make comparisons of other technologies, like the telephone, to the computer: how they were both viewed with skepticism in their infancy, and how they create in their users some of the same positive and negative concerns. Another part that interested me was how so many people look at new inventions with so much fear that they (people like the Unabomber) will be willing to kill their makers or users rather than have these technologies exist. That reminds me of a Terminator movie I once saw. That makes me think...Do they really have a point???????