Presentations: Week 4

This has been another fun and very informative presentations week in DTC 475.  I am certainly going to miss this class after this week!  Here are my comments and suggestions for this week's presenters, including myself.

1.  DAN:  "Exploring the Correlation Between Video Games and Virtual Communities"

          I thought Dan explained a good correlation between video games and virtual communities with plenty of support.  By using Gee's Principles of video game learning and the popularity of video game communities, Dan should present a good, well-focused paper.  I, too, believe that online video game communities and environments can enhance Gee's learning principles.  Most people, including children, already learn a lot about real life from certain video games in an offline environment.  When you are online, video games enhance your learning by allowing you to compete and socialize with many others that are playing those same video games against you or with you.  Also, online games tend to be faster, more strategic, and present more competition (which enhances learning) than offline video games.  You can also get more help in online video game communities than you could in your real life offline video games.  You learn better strategy, how to compete more effectively, and build learning skills more efficiently.  I think XBox Live is very good and pertinent support for Dan's argument.  After all, it only took a short time for XBox Live to gather more than 20 million users.  With that many users, you certainly get good statistics.  I believe Dan should expand on the controversial and oppositional gray area of videogames and violence.  Should violence get in the way of learning, or are there ways that we can teach children to not act out (in real life) the violence they see played out in some of the games.  Dan has a good argument and opposition to that argument, and he should stay focused on that argument and support (XBox Live) throughout his paper.


2.  LEE:  "YouTube's Unique Roles: Political Activism and Perpetual Hate"

          Lee has good  information about one of the most popular sites on the web.  However, he needs a strong argument that relates this information to a topic that is not so known.  In other words, create an argument between the information on YouTube's political activism and another aspect of cyberspace or whatever we studied this semester.  You should argue the correlation between the two aspects in a unique way that most people would not think to correlate. 
     YouTube has a tremendous amount of videos that put out political activism.  Much of this activism is negative.  We need to change this political activism so it is more positive and can change the world for the better.  SO WHAT?  Lee needs an argument that is not evident to almost everyone on this issue. While it is true that YouTube has many enjoyable and entertaining videos in it's ever-increasing library, there are those videos that are destructive in nature and not so enjoyable.  Political activism abounds on YouTube.  There's no arguing about that.  Much of this political activism does create hate and racism because of the popularity of YouTube and how it reaches out to the youngest (and most uneducated) of users.  The world of YouTube users (especially the creators on YouTube) do need to become more educated and understanding of races, ethnicities, and religions.  If more creators on YouTube could create more videos of understanding and cooperation with others of the world, cyberactivism would do more to erase racism and other unjust and inhumane actions that we have seen all across the world for many years.  YouTube, being popular among all ages, especially the younger generations, is a very strong and innovative tool to spread information throughout the world.  We need to change this avenue of hatred and political negativity, and create more videos that show cooperation, kindness, and positive world activism throughout the world.  I agree with Lee's statement that "YouTube is becoming a sounding-board for everlasting prejudices that will continue to spread hate on a grander scale, unless users of YouTube" become more rational and intelligent thinkers and "spread that rational-thinking" and kind behavior throughout the world.  We need to use YouTube as well as other popular video and media avenues, including cellphones, for this to happen.  Lee just needs to focus on an original argument that he can support (with at least 4 or 5 very pertinent and focused examples) and talk less about how to start to solve the problem.  Lee's presentation sounded mostly like a report, as he constantly read his paper.  An original and not so evident argument to discuss would certainly make this topic and paper interesting.  I would narrow down to one or a few very specific YouTube videos that portray activism subjects that aren't so known and expand on them.  Perhaps Lee can relate this political activism and hate somehow to something in Nakamura's text on race.  Another idea is to link YouTube's poliitcal activism and the perpetual hate that it creates to why we have a widening of the digital divide.  Just a thought a little bird dropped on me.  Get away from the report on a common thought that is already "out there" and argue on a unique relationship between YouTube's political activism and a subject matter that not many people would have figured out or even known existed.


3.  ME (MICHEAL P.):  "CyberCrimes: Real vs. Virtual"

          I know my presentation was primarily a report on cybercrimes vs. real crimes, and that I had no solid argument presented.  I had a lot of information, but only a small part of that information presented in class is going to actually end up in my final paper.  I picked a topic late in the planning for the paper, and so I didn't have much time to pick an argument.  I am going to come up with a good, solid, original argument (with help from Julie and classmate comments of course!) and build my paper.  I plan to change and add scholarly sources to my final paper.  I also plan to build my paper with lesser known ideas and information, rather than use the much "evident" information I have.  I am most likely going to change my topic slightly.  My thesis will still deal with cybercrimes, but I will argue something stronger and more original.  Basically, I will stay in a similar direction, but travel down a different set of roads with cybercrimes.  I am going to strive to build a very strong, argumentative paper that builds strong support around the "so what" argument.  I have a couple good ideas at this point, but I want to read my classmate comments and suggestions before I venture into those ideas too fast.  Thank you, everyone, for comments and suggestions you have for me!  I definitely could use ideas for my topic of cybercrimes.  Anything would be welcome! =)


4.  ANGEL:  "Bridging the Digital Divide by Using Concepts of Video Games and Education"

          I agree, based on Angel's presented support, that video games and educational concepts can help bridge the digital divide.  Students certainly need to be actively involved in new technology.  There is no denying that!  Technology is evolving so fast, it's hard to keep up with it.  However, technology is changing the way we live in everyday real life.  If students do not learn at least the basics of new technology, how can they be expected to use it to make their lives more efficient and at the pace of the common person.  Students do not necessarily need to learn to keep up with changing and improving technology, however that would help them to be creators of technology.  Many technology creators can be successful in life.   I like Angel's argument that students need to apply concepts of video games to learning new technology.  Some of Gee's principles relate to the learning of new technology, using it effectively, and how it helps most people in this day and age.  I think Angel has a strong support for her argument with discussion of the Digital Youth Network.  I did not know about this network.  It sounds effective in teaching students how new technology can help them beyond their education.  I really like the idea that it presents high school students a chance and reason to serve as mentors for middle school students.  Middle school students, in this time of useful and advanced technology that is changing societies, need to "jump ahead" as much as they can with knowledge of new technology and it's uses.  It is advanced preparation for their post-school life, which all of us in this class know is very important to make our lives easier, more efficient, and more prosperous.  I liked Angel's mention of the FIRST LEGO League.  It sounds very interesting.  I have seen these lego robots in action.  I have always thought they were the product of advanced learning and application.  Those, of course, are very important skills for any student if they are going to be extra successful in their careers.  Math and Science, arguably, are the two most important subjects for any child or teenager.  While not everyone uses calculus and chemistry in their post-school lives, students do need to learn the basics of math and science and be able to apply it in almost everyday situations. Students who participate in the LEGO League do learn the importance of math and science, but in a fun way that makes learning more acceptable and desirable
for students who would otherwise blow off the subjects.  If we can get this program into all schools of the world to give most kids access to the learning skills, we certainly bridge the access component of the digital divide a great degree.  Keep with your original argument and the great, pertinent support, Angel!  You should expand a little more on your examples (DYN and FLL) in your paper.  Your paper will turn out to be very interesting.  Oh, and good to hear your voice!  You should speak more.  You sound very intellectual!  =)


5.  DEREK:  "Bridging the Gap: Mobile Phones and the Digital Divide"

          There is no doubt that mobile technologies help bridge the digital divide.  Phones are good!! Derek had good support to show that.  It would further the bridging of the divide if more adults used the internet access available on some cellphones.  This would bring out the mobility purpose of cellphones more.  I agree that "content is king". This is vital to the show the importance of virtual / hybrid spaces.  I was happy to see that Derek mentioned SMS and it's importance.  Texting had certainly become popular all over the world and should be part of the argument that mobile technologies bridge the digital divide.  More and more people are able to text these days.  The ability to text message is now commonplace in most mobile phones all over the world.  I had never heard of the mobile daisy player on some phones.  This is certainly a good way to teach children.  Many kids don't like to just sit there and read a book.  This is a way for many children to learn that they will be more interested in than only reading a book.  I thought Derek had a thorough conclusion to his topic and argument.  If we had mobile access in more areas, particularly rural areas of the world, more children would be able to learn more than they have.  This would definitely narrow the digital divide.


6.  KRISTIN:  "Program HOPE"

          I believe Program HOPE is a through, effective, and efficient program for the learning of children.  The "Healthy Online Presence Education", as the DARE programs does with children and drugs, seeks to teach children what harm there is out there and educate them on how to deal with the problems.  I think it's a great idea to have field experts explain terms and events such as "cyberbullying" and "sexting" to children when they are young, so there is less chance those kids will be caught up in the events.  I like how Kristin explained the many contexts for HOPE.  The list seemed almost complete.  Kristin should explain each of these and their importances a little in her paper. The CyberAngels is a great database site for parents who desire to protect their children.  I had already heard of that database, and how effective it has been for years.  I am happy to hear that such a great and necessary program such as HOPE had many potential partners, including law enforcement, to enforce and direct the program.  DARE has been very effective and necessary for many years now, given how wide-scale the world's drug problem is, and HOPE seeks to help children all the same and more.  I thought Kristin had a thorough implementation plan for HOPE.  Of course, there are always potential issues that come up with any plan.  We know that there is an access component of the digital divide.  That is one of the problems with the HOPE Program.  Some kids will not be able to have access to this program.  There must, if possible, be a way to spread this program throughout the world.  Kristin's conclusion is complete.  Program HOPE is a great and seemingly-effective program of protection for children that doesn't seem to leave any aspect out.  Children need to be protected in every way offline or online.  This program, as long as the partnerships give their complete support, will be a working program.  Time to share the spotlight, DARE!

7.  BRENT:  "Online Activities Change Us"

          Brent has a good argument on a topic we have discussed in class to some extent.  I like how Brent brings to light how online activities and the effect that those activities have on us create a cultural shift.  Facebook and other social networks allow us to portray ourselves as we are, or hide aspects of our life and be "transparent".  This is very common all over the web, including in communities, forums, and the such.  I liked how Brent explained how mobile advertising is a trade-off.  Cellphone users get good deals on places they are close by, but they have to become marketing "guinea pigs" in the process.  I also thought Brent's discussion of how people do many more formerly-manual activities more with cellphones, such as breaking up and firing employees, was very interesting and tied in very well with his argument.  And, yes, it certainly is true that the younger generations are the users that are creating the cultural shift.  The younger generations are the people who fire employees, sext, and break up with their boyfriend/girlfriend.....with the touch of a cellphone.  I believe this cultural shift will continue well into the future in touch with the changing technology.
Good presentation of argument and support, Brent!


8.  CYNTHIA:  "Race and Ethnicity Online: Representations in Cyberspace"

          I believe Cynthia has one of the more important issues at hand.  There is so much hatred and ignorance in cyberspace that is directed to all the different races and ethnicities. This hatred and ignorance arrives from all races and ethnicities.  There is no one target and no one source.  Cynthia's argument that cyberspace gives underrepresented groups more choices about representations that are not available through traditional media is absolutely true.  These underrepresented groups involve all different races, ethnicities, and genders.  As almost all of us know, women and minorities have surely been "under the bed" with traditional media for many almost all of history.  Cyberspace allows for those women, gays, and minorities to have a voice in the world.  I agree that Cynthia, for a good argument's sake, should focus on the two most controversial areas of racism and ethnicity.  We know that the most influential and listened to group is white males in traditional media.  That is changing with cyberspace.  More and more people of various races and ethnicities are now able to express their cultures and roots to the world.  There are many ethnic groups now found on the web.  From FotoDiaria and Latina magazine to Italy's Vogue Black and communities that discuss racism issues (Racism 101), minorities and women can speak out what they feel and help change the world.  There is that problem, however, than hinders all of this.  Racism is evident when minorities try to use freedom of speech.  Sure, the white man can say what he wants, but there are usually problems when a woman or minority (incuding gays) say or claim anything.  If we can only bridge the digital divide more by allowing more access to the Internet, perhaps more minorities would speak out.  They could make more of a difference to help combat racism and discrimination that is evident throughout the world.  People around the world of various races and ethnicities need to be heard for complete change in the world.  Cyberspace must be open to all.  All must be heard.

9.  NEIL:  "Advantage of Smart Phones: Narrowing the Digital Divide"

          Smart phones, without a doubt, do have many "bells and whistles" available on them.  I believe that the support and examples Neil uses does back up his argument that smart phones perform a good part in helping to narrow the access portion of the digital divide around the world.  That's a good thing!  Mobile phones are heavily used in developing countries. More of these "underprivileged" people are now able to use the mobile phones and carry out the activities that can performed on them.  Neil's tie-in with Silva's discussion of hybrid / mobile spaces in the CR is critical for a good paper and support of his argument.  If Neil can bring Silva largely into his argument and support, then that smoothes out much of his bumpy road ahead in his paper.  I knew Malaysia was a poor country, but I didn't know they had many cellphone users already.  I also didn't know that cellphone growth is larger in developing countries than in developed countries.  The Malaysia source that Neil listed should be a very heavy support for his argument.  I thought Neil's conclusion was explanative and complete.  Many of us rely heavily on mobile phones and technology.  These days, the people of developing countries are able to rely on them as well. Cell phones help to narrow the digital divide.  This digital divide continues to narrow as developing countries around the world get in touch with each other, thanks in large part to smartphones and regular cellphones. 


10.  JOSH C.:  "Internet Activism Is a Necessary Tool"

          Josh argues that internet activism is a "necessary tool for physical activism in the real world".  He uses good example to support that argument.  Through meetup.com and Obama's 2008 campaign, Josh has showed that use of the Internet has helped people stand on more solid ground in the real space.  Through the use of email, the web, and podcasts, politicians have been able to lobby support, support groups can raise funds for various efforts and catastrophes, and the true light of protests ("Battle of Seattle" of 1999) can be witnessed.  Josh uses several fitting examples to support his argument.  I think his opposition is worth the mention.  Internet activism can increase extremism in physical activism.  There is also a disproportionate access that widens the digital divide.  Josh's conclusion is forward, but a little vague.  Yes, activism is becoming necessary to bring about world change.  Expand, using the given examples and a couple more, and the product will be a thought-provoking and scholastic final paper.