Blog # 11

Here Comes Everybody was an interesting read for me. The reason is because it was the book I was required to read for my book panel presentation and for my book review. It is a great book that helps the reader understand how groups of people are able to use media and the Internet to gather in an organized manner without the need of some institutionalized organization.

The most interesting parts of the book for me were the parts that detailed how people were able to cooperate and come to a result. The best example of this was when Shirky explained the creation of Wikipedia and how it continues to be run today. There are a large number of contributors to articles on the Wikipedia website and it somehow manages to not be in disarray.

Blog Post #9

For so long I had been disconnected from any important information. I went about my day not really thinking about what was going on around me and I was not at all conscious of. No, it seems that I know a lot more than what I ever had before. At times it seems as if it’s too much information and too much news that I have access to. Much of the information I get comes from social media of from friends who have read about it on social media. The top two sites for me are Facebook, Tumblr, and Twitter. What I have noticed about these sites is that it is much easier for Tumblr and Twitter to gather a group of people than perhaps Facebook.

News that comes out today can reach different parts of the globe in seconds. It even crosses social media platforms. The most prominent example is the Michael Brown killing case and the raised hands gesture that has become known as the  “don’t shoot” gesture. After this case, many protesters have began using this gesture is solidarity with the protesters in Ferguson. Most recently, it has been used in the Hong Kong electoral protest.

Blog Post #8

It’s funny to think that not once did I question what or how I was taught in school. Only when I arrived at WSU was I required to reflect on the 12 years that I spent in the small school district back home. What isn’t very funny at all is how disappointed I felt when I realized that I never really has much of a choice on what I learned.

In chapter 5 of his book, Tapscott explains the problem with the education system and why it has become difficult to teach Net Geners. He says the education system is outdated and should change to the current technological environment. One point he makes is that collaboration leads to better learning. That was something I found was at odds with what school had taught me. I was required to do assignments on my own and I was always under the impression that I should be able to understand all the material I was being taught This, I now realize, was harmful to my learning because I now find it difficult to ask questions when I am not able to understand. If I had been allowed to collaborate with others in my earlier school years I would have an easier accepting, wanting, or even demanding help.

Tapscott also says education needs student oriented teaching and it is not something we are currently doing.  This is something I agree with. many students simply float from one class or subject to another without really understanding. Some students are expected to perform to standards and those who don't are forgotten. Neither of these types of students ever learn to learn preoperly.