PART 1- : WEEK 1 DISCUSSION
WELCOME to the discussion for WEEK 1. Please respond in complete sentences for each question, unless directed to do otherwise, demonstrating in your reply that you have read the material in order to receive full credit. There are three topics in Part 2 (please respond to ALL).
Topic 1: Digital Media
This week, you watched Digital Nation: Life on the Virtual Frontier Chapter 1: Distracted by Everything, and Chapter 2: What’s It Doing to Their Brains?
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/documentary/digitalnation/
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/documentary/digitalnation/
Discussion:
Professor Turkle believes that students are wrong to think that a “multitasking learning environment” will help them succeed as students. She believes that in order to learn certain things, we need to be still, quiet, and focused on one thing at a time.
Question #1:
Do you agree with the professor’s opinion? Is it possible to learn while multi-tasking? Why or why not? NOTE: The focus here is learning and multitasking while using digital media.
Topic 2: Digital Media’s Impact on Society
Discussion:
This week you read “Intersection of American Media and Culture”, which explained how different technological transitions have shaped media industries.
Question #1: How has technological developments in radio, television, the Internet, OR newspaper (SELECT ONE) influenced mass communication? Support your response.
Topic 3: Digital Future
This week you read Digital Life in 2025 by Janna Anderson and Lee Rainie.
Discussion:
Anderson and Rainie summarized 15 theses about the digital future of which eight were classified as more hopeful.
Question #1:
Which ONE of the eight “hopeful” theses do you see as the most hopeful? Explain your choice.
Part 2.
topic 1: social media
This week, you watched the Social Media Revolution 2019 #Socialnomics and read The Beginner’s Guide to social media.
Discussion:
As you review the multiple statistics that display in Social Media Revolution 2019 #Socialnomics, and reflecting on what you read about social media, assess the impact of social media in your life.
Question #1:
What role does Social Media play in your life? Are you aware of the social media policies of the organizations where you work, attend school, or volunteer? Have you used social media to resolve problems, participate in a cause you are passionate about, or to learn about UMGC? How does Social Media impact your personal and professional communications?
Topic 2: Digital Humanitarianism
This week you also watched Innovations in Humanitarian Relief (PBS online video)
https://www.pbs.org/video/innovation-humanitarian-relief-e6xivw/
Discussion:
In the wake of natural disasters and acts of terror, several tech companies are making an effort to improve traditional responses effort in humanitarian relief.
Question #1:
Do you think that humanitarian aid workers constantly need new ways of thinking, new products, and new processes to better respond to disasters? Why or why not?
Topic 3: Cyberpsychology
This week you read: Cyberpsychology and cyber behavior of adolescents-the need of the contemporary era
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877050917326704
Discussion:
Cyberpsychology evaluates how we interact with others using technology, how we can develop technology to best fit our requirements, and how our behavior and psychological states are influenced by technology. Cyberpsychology applies psychological theory to explain how individuals interact in cyberspace and how these interactions might affect our offline lives. It offers a new way to define the self and society.
Question #1:
How does technology impact psychology? List at least three advantages and at least three disadvantages.
Question #2: Do you present yourself differently in different online spaces? In what ways are you different and in what ways are you consistent? Why do you think this is?
