Anyone, please feel free to answer my questions. If the Internet is so good at giving us the information that we want, why are most of the people on this website bringing up the same exact issues and examples? If we were in class would this also happen? While I like how this website is employed in class, does it hinder us when it comes to the responsibilities as students? Are we encouraged to participate more or less in class? Could this be attributed to embodiment and distant learning? Please give me some feedback.
4.30.07
Ashley Swarts | 24-Apr-07 at 11:34 am | Permalink
In response to the first part of your question, many people are bringing up the exact same issues and examples because they are what we discussed in class. This website is a place for us to comment on and discuss what we have been learing in class, right? If we were in class, I just don’t think there would be this much discussion at all, because obviously people feel more comfortable expressing them on this website. And I think this website doesn’t hinder our responsibilities because I think we are required to participate more on here for this class than we are in person in many other classes. Although at first it might see like it encourages us to participate less in class, I think that by having time to think the issues through (since some of them are pretty complex), post comments, and read other students posts and comments I think it gives us more opportunity to participate.
Kimberly Koch | 24-Apr-07 at 7:23 pm | Permalink
I agree with Ashley that we are required to participate much more in this class than in others because of the website, so I don not think this hinders us at all. Plus, we can discuse in class what ideas we have seen on the site if we feel the need.
William Barrett | 24-Apr-07 at 8:54 pm | Permalink
I think that this website allows people to participate who may not feel as comfortable participating in class, like when they are embodied in class discussions. Everyone is different and some people may be able to give much better comments and responses over the internet than they are able to in person. In this respect I feel that the website does not hinder us. However, the website could be looked at as hindering us when we have class debates or discussions and there is not as much participation because people feel that they can just do their participation online, on this website. This may also leave room for the disinhibition effect and people may say things that they would not in class. So I guess I would say that there is both good and bad to the situation.
Angela Kinsella | 24-Apr-07 at 11:19 pm | Permalink
I would agree with what has been said so far in that it gives people a chance to think about the issue further and then using the website as participation on a certain issue. I would have to admit sometimes I think of something to say but then decide to just post a comment on the website so I make sure to explain it how I want to, giving me a chance to better formulate my thoughts (and since we have to post for credit, anyway). In a way this does discourage me from participating in class, but it is probably for the better. But on the other hand, sometimes I forget the arguments that were made in class that I could discuss my point about, which makes it more difficult on my end.
Annie Werly | 25-Apr-07 at 11:38 am | Permalink
I think this website is great- for people who are too shy to talk in class this gives them an equal opportunity to “speak up”. It also gives all students a chance to review the material from other perspectives and perhaps get a better grasp on the information.
Ashley Graham | 25-Apr-07 at 12:56 pm | Permalink
I think that the reason we all bring up the same issues is because they are what we spoke of in class, and therefore what we know the most about. The website does hinder in-class participation a little bit. Sometimes I feel like I already said something on the website, so I do not need to mention it in class. On the other hand, quiet people are given an opportunity to speak, and the website forces us to think about class at home.
Andrea Fish | 25-Apr-07 at 4:04 pm | Permalink
Yes, the Internet does hinder us from carrying out the responsibilities we have as students. Like we have mentioned in class, the Internet allows us hide behind a monitor and not take full responsibility for our words. College can be a overwhelming time in ones life, surrounded by many insecurities. Too often people who are shy in class use the Internet to get their feelings out because they can’t do it in the classroom. In some ways it could be a useful tool for them, but from the perspective of a teacher I can see how the lack of participation could get frustrating.
Ashley Swarts | 25-Apr-07 at 6:01 pm | Permalink
In response to Andrea’s comment, I still have to disagree that the internet hinders us from carrying out our responsibilities as students. How does “hiding” behind our moniter allow us to not take full responsibility for our words? Aren’t we still speaking these words and our opinions under our names? And I agree that the lack of participation in class would be frustrating, but if this was due to a website, such as this one, then you would think a teacher simply wouldn’t use it. Students who are uncomfortable participating in class are probably not going to speak up whether or not they have a website to participate on.
Danielle Foster | 25-Apr-07 at 6:41 pm | Permalink
I have also noticed the redundance of this website, but you can’t really expect otherwise. We are all taught the exact same things and really don’t know enough to form completely original ideas. I also think part of this is that no one wants to say their idea/opinion if they are worried that people will think its weird or that it is stupid. I know that for me personally this whole being philisophical thing is new and sometimes I don’t feel like my ideas are actually good. So I just stick to the old tried and true topics that we have thoroughly discussed in class.
Krystal Kniep | 25-Apr-07 at 7:30 pm | Permalink
I think this website is a wonderful tool. I have to admit, I am extremely shy in when it comes to voicing my opinion in the classroom because I feel like my opinion might be stupid sometimes. On this website, I feel like I can say whatever I feel and people cannot judge me. I have learned a great deal from this website just reading other people’s posts and comments!
Stehpanie Prather | 25-Apr-07 at 8:53 pm | Permalink
I think it’s pretty entertaining that when answering a question about why everyone’s answers are nearly identical on this blog, we all ended up using the same response.
I think the class website is pretty useful and helps us prepare to write about the topics we are assigned for the final. But the problem I see with blogging versus classroom learning is that conversation is stretched out over time, and instead of being in the same room and bouncing ideas off one another there is a certain delay associated the internet and blogging.
Stehpanie Prather | 25-Apr-07 at 8:58 pm | Permalink
I just thought of some other things to say on this topic.
I think that while the website is a valuable tool, it takes much of the value away from classroom discussion. If we can discuss it online so thoroughly, then what’s the point in going to class?
In this class, for example, maybe half the people show up, and that’s on a good day.
I don’t think this is a sign we’re not learning the matierial, but by the design of the course it shows that face-to-face interaction is becoming increasing less important as technology advances. This class is just one example of a trend toward distance learning, for better or worse.
Amanda Bleatman | 25-Apr-07 at 10:56 pm | Permalink
THANK YOU STEPHANIE!!! (Also thanks to all who actually made a comment and not just another repeat of what everyone has been saying (i.e. thanks Andrea, Ashley, Danielle)). While I really do like this website idea, in the mist of our class discussions we have overlooked how we are using the Internet. The point that I was trying to make is yeah, people are shy and don’t want to participate. (I’m one of those people). However another fact is, if we had to participate in class, then I would. That is my responsibility as a student. Also, we all know people don’t show up to class. If they maybe read, discuss what’s on the website, they don’t have to come to class and can still acquire participation points…hmmm.
Amanda Bleatman | 25-Apr-07 at 11:17 pm | Permalink
Now about the redundancy: I understand that ideas and examples that come up from class do need to be the start of a discussion. Yet, how are you going to actually understand something if everyone is saying the same thing the same way? You don’t have to come up with an original idea, but maybe think of examples that could also be applied. Plus, how are you suppose to expand on a discussion if no one reads the same 3 comments before the one you post? Well, now that it’s the end of the semester…too late for this class, but maybe people should put a little passion behind your work. Don’t just slump through it. (You might want to think about the meaning of your work and comments (who does this remind you of?)).
Amanda Bleatman | 25-Apr-07 at 11:17 pm | Permalink
Oh, also thanks for all the comments! It was really interesting reading the results!
Ryan Riordan | 25-Apr-07 at 11:57 pm | Permalink
By posting this question you are actually making it much easier for us to make comments. It is in a way making this a bit easier for everyone because you are prompting us to answer questions that we don’t necessarily need to think too hard about. I don’t know if I would say that the website makes the class any easier though. In fact, i feel that having this website goes along great with the topics that are presented in this class. We usually talk about the internet and learning through the internet, so in a way maybe we were supposed to realize that some of us are doing exactly what we are arguing about, using the internet as a tool to teach us. It does involve a different type of learning than most of us are used to in our other classes because I don’t think anyone actually has a class where they can do a lot of their thinking and learning through the internet.
Rutvi Shah | 26-Apr-07 at 7:37 am | Permalink
This is a very interesting question. First, the reason why people are bringing up the same issues and examples is because we all attend the same class and are taught the same thing. Also, every week we are expected to answer the same questions. It would not enhance the learning process if all of us were just allowed to post the first thing that came to our minds. If we were to answer these questions in class, it is very likely the same incident would happen. Just because we are now in front of a computer, it does not change our thoughts in any way. The only difference would be that not every single person would raise their hand and answer a question. This is how the website is helpful when combined with a classroom. This is also the reason why it cannot be considered as distant learning since we attend class twice a week. It is not as if our entire classroom is conducted through this website since this is an additional source to post thoughts and comments.
John Creger | 26-Apr-07 at 8:05 am | Permalink
20 years ago, a person didn’t have the option to get class participation by posting on a blog. If a class was graded on participation, then you had to participate in class. I feel as though the disembodiment of these posts make us less sociable in person. Sure, this gives us more time to prepare an answer and cultivate our thoughts, but I agree with Dreyfus in that something key is missing about human interaction because of the internet. Whether it is class participation, a business transactions, or daily conversations. By all means do I like participating using this format, but it just doesn’t do the same for me as it would in real life.
Amanda Jakstas | 26-Apr-07 at 10:47 am | Permalink
I don’t really feel that this website hinders our resposibilities as students. If anything, I think it increases our responsibilities as students. I don’t participate much in class, but I almost never miss a class. I feel that I get a lot out of going and that I learn the material better when being lectured to. Reading the website helps somewhat, but the experience is not the same. This brings me to embodiement and distance learning. I feel that because attendance is optional, many people don’t go to class. I believe that being there and writing down down is more beneficial than just reading the website.
Adam Domanico | 26-Apr-07 at 11:58 am | Permalink
To respond to Amanda, I agree that the website does increse our responsibilities as students but I do nt think that is the real question. Yes the website holds us accountable but it also reduces the risks and rewards of in-class education. Although this website is a great way to express the opinions that we might be scared to or not have time to express in class, it is not as condusive to our learning as a personal experience. In addition to just learning the material, we grow as people interacting socially by participating together in class. It is by overcomming the fear to speak up in class that teaches us confidence and it is by refuting a classmates opinion that teaches us how to take part in intelligent and respectful debate. Too often I think we focus on how much academic material we learn. Yes, if you are a self-teaching person, then you can learn almost as much from a website or online course. However, what we overlook are the social benefits that allow us to grow as people who must learn how to express ourselves and respect others in order to work together in this society. And those things technology will never teach us, only personal experience will.
Kerry Phelan | 26-Apr-07 at 2:06 pm | Permalink
This was a great idea. I think its kind of strange how we can all be filled with things to say on this site but in class hardly anyone speaks (me being one of them). Is this considered disembodiement or distant learning? I’d say so. We learn so much in class listeing to Daniel but at the same time we learn a lot reading and responding to other people’s comments on the site. I guess they both work, but it still isn’t the same as the personal interaction we receive in class.
Wes Gotschall | 26-Apr-07 at 2:19 pm | Permalink
I agree with what most of you have said that this website allows shy people to get their ideas out and gives us a way to hear everyone’s opinion when that wouldn’t be possible with all the material we have to cover in class and the time constraints we’re under. The first time I got on this site to do my posts, I thought it was going to be torture having to write 10 of them. I found out I actually enjoy getting on here and reading what everyone has to say. While I don’t usually post every time I look at the site, I do enjoy finding out what everyone has to say that doesn’t talk in class. Again, that could just be because of the anonymity that this site allows. Either way, it gets people to express their opinions and in no way can that be a bad thing.
Ryan Marshall | 26-Apr-07 at 5:16 pm | Permalink
I also feel that, although posting online to receive credit is easy and somewhat effective, it is hurting us in the long run. It makes it so that you don’t have to participate in class and, in a way, dissuades you from fine tuning your personal skills. These personal skills are absolutely necessary for life and especially in the business world. This internet communication is hurting us all whether or not we know it. Yes, it is easy and rather helpful in some situations but there needs to be a balance so that people still learn the personal skills necessary to survive in the world.
Chris Paolinetti | 26-Apr-07 at 8:22 pm | Permalink
I agree that this could ultimately hinder our interpersonal skills. I’ve seen one example of a group of people so obsessed with computers and the internet, that they were actually carrying on a conversation via AIM, while all sitting in the same room.
Jeffery Villalobos | 26-Apr-07 at 8:26 pm | Permalink
I believe it encourages our communication between each other. I am not a shy person, but when I am in class i just like to sit back and relax and take in all the tinformation. I hate to participate. I guess it is because I am a lazy person. Forcing students to participate through this manner, to some extent, is a good thing. If there were no requirements for participation you most likely would have heard my opinion at all on any matter, besides the few times i talked in class which has not been much. I also believe people are able to communicate with people because of the internet much more than if it did not exist. I have friends studying abroad and I frequently email them or have conversations on AIM with them. Without the internet i would not be able to do that. So i think it encourages interaction.
Tariq Mohammed | 26-Apr-07 at 8:28 pm | Permalink
As others have said, I agree in the sense that this website allows shy people to express their thoughts and opinions. Initially, I thought having to write posts and comments of various topics would be rather difficult. However, after listening to Dan’s lectures it was a snap. Additionally, reading what other people had to say made commenting easier. So overall this website was pretty useful and handy.
Jeffery Villalobos | 26-Apr-07 at 8:47 pm | Permalink
I read more comments after just reading the topics at the top. I have a response to one comment by Amanda stated, “but maybe people should put a little passion behind your work. Don’t just slump through it.”
i like this class because it interests me, but i do not put forth the best effort as i could. but this is a gen ed, i am not really interested in doing the best to learn everything. i think people in general do the least amount of work so they can get an A in any class. i definitely put forth more effort in other class, because i would say that 300 level business classes are harder than this one. but that is not the point. but there are have also been business courses that i have taken and blown off completely because they were easy to me. just because people dont put in the best effort doesnt make them bad. it just makes them lazy. honestly who cares about a course that isnt in your major and is not going to apply when you go out into the professional world? get off your proverbial high horse.
Erica Yuenger | 26-Apr-07 at 10:37 pm | Permalink
Everyone has been saying that the website makes it easier for people who are less comfortable speaking up in class to participate. I agree with that, because I am definitely more comfortable voicing my opinion here. However, like Amanda said, I would participate in class if I had to, because it would be my responsibility as a student. However, even if posting on this site was not required, it would still be my obligation as a student to do anything I could to enhance my learning experience. While the website does enhance learning, I seriously doubt very many people would look at the website if it was not required. I know I wouldn’t. Therefore I think it’s somewhat difficult to truly put passion behind our efforts here because it’s something we have to do..whether we like it or not.