Proof-of-Learning #2 (week 2)

This week I have been putting a lot of focus on trying to improve my discussion posts. One of the concepts regarding them that I tried to work on specifically was to ask my classmates questions regarding what we were discussing in order to challenge them to expand their perspectives further. I also tried to expand further on the topics we were learning about this week. I felt that I did better at this especially during the online dating conversations.

For our big research project, I have been checking out various technologies that are available to the Deaf community. I am a deaf education major, and the Deaf have a big place in my heart. I'm very passionate about sign language and learning anything associated with the Deaf community as a whole. Much of the research I've been finding I've been at least slightly aware of prior to this class. However, getting the opportunity to expand on this knowledge has been very interesting! I've been learning more about not only the different technologies available to help those who are deaf or hard of hearing to hear, but also the technologies that make communication even easier for them. There are so many! I hadn't really thought about it before, but online communities have opened countless doors that might not be open to you if you have a hearing impairment. Just some of these technologies include: email, facebook, online dating sites, TTYs, and texting.

Something I found particularly interesting this week was our discussion on online dating sites. I found much evidence that online dating is something that many in the Deaf community are interested in as an avenue to find their significant other. One of my roommates is deaf. She wouldn't necessarily be opposed to dating a hearing person, however, they would definitely need to know sign language in order to communicate effectively. While she is proficient at lip-reading, she has told me before that she isn't comfortable with the idea of dating someone who she can't communicate in her most comfortable avenue. (sign language) As understandably important of an issue as that is, it drastically limits who she would consider being in a possible relationship with. Online dating can help her locate men in her age group, who are deaf/hard of hearing or at least know sign language, and who have similar interests to hers. While it's unlikely that she will run into a guy with ALL of those qualifications out on the street or at a club, it is very likely she could meet one using something like eHarmony or some other dating site. Then they could get to know each other better via email, texting, facebook and the other countless avenues available. Eventually they could meet up and see if there is something to the relationship.

Proof-of-Learning #1 (week 1)

Our discussions and course readings for this week really led me to consider some things about online technology and social networking that I hadn't thought much about before. I found it easy to connect with our discussions because we were talking about topics that I am very familiar with. For example, I use facebook almost every day. I'm definitely addicted. Additionally, I now have an unlimited texting plan on my cell phone because that is the cheapest option considering how many texts I go through in a month's time. I found it very interesting to get to dig in and discuss the technologies most college students use on a consistent basis and see what potential they have for allowing space for creative writing and sharing thoughts.

One of the articles I found most intriguing was the one about Reputation Management. One of the first things I ever did online was to google my name and see what came up. I can remember being so curious to see my last name show up on the "world-wide web". At the time, it was kind of disappointing, because there wasn't a whole lot on a 4th grader from Iowa. Every now and then I still find myself randomly googling my name to see if anything unwanted pops up. I do this in an effort to keep a good reputation and see what future employers might be seeing if they were to google my name. First day of freshmen year here at ISU, I sat in class in my "first day of classes" new outfit, with a smile on my face. Only to be freaked out that future employers and scholarship givers could potentially take one look at my facebook page and find something they disagree with, canceling me out for an opportunity. I'm a pretty well-behaved girl...I don't do much to get into trouble and I certainly wouldn't post it on my facebook if I was doing something incriminating. However, I can't control what others post. I love my friends, but sometimes they can post things jokingly that my future employers might not necessarily understand are inside jokes. So while I'm online deciding which photos are flattering enough to stay "tagged" in, I also have the "I want to be seen as having the possibility of being professional" thought in the back of my mind. Managing your reputation is a lot of work, but I've been assured that it'll be worth it!

I also found our “Revisualizing Composition” conversation very interesting this week. Somehow it didn't surprise me that texting has become one of the most frequently used forms of communication. I feel that there are both benefits and downfalls of this. While it may be causing our youth to be socially stunted in some ways, it also serves as an outlet for further communication. While I have a close relationship with my family, I don't get to see them much. We text a lot because this allows us to keep up conversations throughout the day when we wouldn't be able to do so over the phone or in person. It keeps us connected. Same thing with my best friend. She goes to a different college and we rarely have free time at the same time due to busy class schedules and work, etc. We use texting to stay close and make each other laugh throughout the day. It doesn't replace face to face interactions...and it's not nearly as good. However, it does serve a good purpose in my opinion. In addition, things like facebook and email could be great outlets for creative writing and sharing of thoughts. Most of the things I end up reading are fairly well-written and honestly funny. They can give the opportunity for people to collect their thoughts on the day and express themselves via at least a form of writing.

I felt that our peer discussions on the topics this week were very good as well. I have to admit, initially I was very nervous after I read the syllabus. However, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how well the interactions have been, as well as how much more interesting the conversations have made our learning this week. Many times as I open up other student’s comments to read, they have either stated in a well-put manner how I felt on the topic, or broadened my perspective on the topic at hand. I’m looking forward to seeing what the next three weeks will bring!