Technology v. Education

It is true to say that technology has replaced older methods of educating in a classroom. Computers have won the competition in class materials. They have attracted students into an online world they do not wish to ever leave. As far as it goes, the only way to catch the attention of a class is by staying up-to-date with the tools used by children, teens, and young adults. Focus jumps a level and distractions become volatile. By interrupting with a hand on a monitor, the teachers are able to attain the eyes of their viwers. Besides, modern technology has become so efficient that notes, assignments, and lessons are easier to distribute, especially when a student is absent from school-the student has no excuse for missing assignments and is able to submit homework without the problem of failing the subject. Nearly everything one can learn may come from Internet surfing.

Electronic Media v. Paper Media

Electronic media has major disadvantages compared to paper media. That is because electronic media is vulnerable to being manipulated by outside sources that donate to support the articles. Paper media is efficient only in cases where there is no electricity being used locally or if there is massive blackout. Paper media is commonly distributed for a cheaper price, and it can be taken anywhere without the need of a battery, battery charger, or electronic device to open the article.


Electronics may replace nearly everything, but there are still articles that need to be printed or written in case if electricity were depleted too quickly. Electronics will not be able to replace everything, because it requires electricity that is currently difficult to consume in terms of the economy. Rather, more natural and free energy sources will replace everything, such as paper. There is also the disadvantage of light emitted by electronics, which can damage the eye and confuse the observation of a light spectrum (black and white televisions do not damage the eye so quickly). Without paper, there is no electronics because paper inspires the idea of printing.

In the future... The web will tell us...

All the inventions we were supposed to have are according to the imagination brought by television. At the rate that society is evolving, the span of change is greater than previously portrayed or predicted. It tells us how much we are so close, yet so far from understanding the future by analyzing present day life. Some inventions, like the Soylent Green, are horrifying to think of, but only makes sense when creating an overpopulated Earth where food is insufficient and cannibalism substitutes.

The Internet will continue to evolve more closely to the outside world. It has its own society, but once the big picture is focused on the Internet and society, then expression for freedom will become more popular. Social networks will change to accommodate its users, and users will become more knowledgeable of the Internet. The Internet will understand its population, and its population will understand it. In the next ten years, there is a probability for more restrictions on the imagination of Internet users. According to the evolution of computers, the events shown on television will take a different shape or form when their date is long overdue.

Identity and Interaction

An alternate identity helps alienate audiences whom you don't want to present yourself to. A secret identity controls who sees it and what purpose it serves. Alternate identities best help when joining small online communities or subscribing anonymously to a site. These type of identities, however, do not help when used as a signature to something important like a bank account or when asked for personal identification (job application). Personal information is needed by important websites only if it is required by law. Usernames are a great example of what a bank account should not be.

Behavior can give away personal identification, but only through assumption and vague analysis. When masking personality, one should not behave the same on the Internet and offline. Disconnected from the Internet means acting who you are when socializing in "real life". Online communication may be compromising, so it is best to hide personality traits and have precaution with how and who you talk with. Any misconception will be troubling. Logging on is to take responsibility for your actions and behavior.

Reflection on "Growing Up Online"

Nearly everything the interviewees said about social networking is true. Even when the video is approximately 5 years old, it still keeps up with the generation of today's methods for communicating. I feel that there are some dangers mentioned in the video that most people are now aware of. The prohibition of letting someone surf the Internet remains the same, but there are emerging stalkers/predators who are still intruding the virtual homes of many computer users. To me, the most prominent scene that fit my socialization in the Internet is the one with the mother keeping vigilance over her kids. During weekends, by morals, I am not allowed to play online due to the homework I have to focus on. My parents, like the ones conscious about the dangers of the Internet, may not know how to work the computer, but they will turn off the power or remove privileges. I think that the video can still connect with an audience that has gotten bigger over time. Though the Internet is a place for freedom, there lurks an exposure to your whole life which could end up compromising your security. The Internet is a box that is full of unsuspecting surprises.

What Are My Online Experiences?

With the bountiful amount of computers in present day, I've been able to experience most of what the Internet has to offer. I've been able to write and discuss in forums that talk about gaming or computers. Some forums have even lead to discussion groups and huge communities where people disagree with each other but have common goals. It is good to talk to users online when talking about a subject, but there are downsides to talking with someone whom you don't see their face. The person behind a computer is a stranger. Their identity is hidden until they express their real feelings and thoughts. I've met friendly strangers online, but there are hostile entities who intend to cyber-bully people within a community and oppress them into low self-esteem. I've dealt with these people before and they always give away their identity once they talk out of the blue with lines such as,"You're an 18-year-old who lives with his mom," or ,"go play something else kid." There are strangers who believe the Internet is their own territory with the unconsciousness of nor realizing who they are talking to or what they are saying.