Campus session- 19/10/10

I just got home from the campus session so I thought I would write a post about what we did and everything we discussed for everyone who wasn't there. Adesola was meant to be taking the session but unfortunately she couldn't be there so Paula and Rosemary took it instead. After a short introduction, our first task was to get into pairs with someone who has a different job to that of our own. We then had to tell the other person what our job was and they wrote a list of everything they thought that might involve. I was with Emma who is a dance teacher so I wrote that her job may involve; Communicating with children, dancing, rehearsing, choreographing, listening to music, interacting with others, taking charge and maintaining authority. We then came back in to a group and discussed what we had found out. When we were comparing our jobs (dance teacher and cheerleader) we found similarities and differences. When presenting to the group what we had discussed we decided to focus on the point that although our jobs may seem similar from a physical point of view, as they both involve dancing, rehearsing and choreographing, there are many differences on a mental level. We found that with the position of a teacher one of the main focuses is for you to take charge and keep your authority throughout the class, in other words you are the one giving direction. However, with my job as a cheerleader I am the one taking the direction and learning from the choreographer. We decided that with my job there was more emphasis on teamwork and being part of a squad rather than being in charge.

We also heard what everyone else had found out about their partner and reflected and discussed how every ones jobs involve such different skills. We discovered that when talking to someone who has a job you don't know anything about, you can usually relate or link it to a friend or someone you know who has a similar sort of job. This helps you to understand more about it as you are usually able to link it to something you know about. We also discussed that many jobs involving performing can be so dependant on who you are performing to and whether it was your responsibility as a performer to bring it up to the maximum level no matter who the audience are and what reaction they give you.

After this, we went on to the second task. This involved us once again getting in to pairs but this time with someone different. We then had to invent a scary story by one person starting and then the other interjecting with the next sentence and so on. This meant the story was completely spontaneous and involved us having to think on the spot without prior planning or preparation. We then found another partner and repeated the same exercise but obviously making up a different story. After we had finished we came back together as a group to discuss what we found out and learnt from the task. Some of the points brought up in the discussion were the following:

• You had to constantly re assess the situation as you didn't know what the other person was going to say
• The story kept changing direction as the other person would say something you would never have said
• It can almost become a competition to see how scary/horrific you can make it
• The constant change of perspective made the story much less predictable
• It was a good opportunity to use your imagination
• Shows that sometimes it's good to be spontaneous and not plan everything

We then did an activity with rulers. We got in to groups of three and held the rulers in a triangle. We then moved around, twisted and turned while all the time holding on to the rulers. We got tangled and then untangled ourselves so we were back in our original positions. We then joined with another group and repeated the exercise with more people so it was more challenging to untangle ourselves. We then all joined together where it was virtually impossible to untangle! After this we reflected that it was a good symbol for working something out. We had to get ourselves in to the state of tangle/confusion in order to untangle ourselves so it was a clear circle.

After a short break, we moved on to the last task which was to create our own 'silent tour'. This involved finding objects which we wanted to show people and explaining them on a card. We could draw, cut or write words on the card without writing what the object actually was. Most people also had a theme to their tour. For example my first object was the light switch, the second one was the fire sign and I drew a picture of flames on my card and my third one was the fire doors. Others focused around rocks, trees, stairs etc. When we came back as a group to discuss the task, these are a few of the points that were made:

• The task forced you to look at something in a different way finding alternative ways of portraying it to others e.g. look, smell, texture etc
• It made you reflect on what the object actually was and it's use rather than simply it's name
• The theme of someones tour often didn't become clear until the last object, this made it interesting and made you want to keep concentrating
• When you can't speak you are forced to use other methods of communication e.g. drawing which you wouldn't normally use
• Some things were much clearer after looking at a picture
• It made you use your imagination
• It gave a sense of authority to the tour leader- a clear change in role when the leader changed.

Overall, I found the morning very productive and helpful and it was a good insight in to studying reflection and how to approach it. One of the main things I took away from the day was that it can be beneficial to reflect on an activity after having completed it and what you learnt rather than just moving straight on to the next thing without giving it another thought. Only after we reflect on something can the purpose of it become clear and we can learn from what we have done. I am now looking forward to looking more closely at the reader and studying this part of the module.

Lessons learnt from part 1....

After reading Alan's post on feedback from part 1 I thought I would post a few thoughts about everything we have done so far. I feel like I have already learnt so much and yet I've barely even started. I feel like I have just scratched the surface and I am realising there is so much more out there for me to learn about. Obviously with regards to this part of the module this is mainly about the use and development of web based technologies. I have never thought of myself as a particularly 'web smart' person and to be honest it wasn't a major interest of mine. I have now found that I have started using the computer and the Internet so much more and I feel much more involved.

At the campus session we discussed the pros and cons of web 2.0 and we developed our ideas through discussion, debate and presentations. After discussing all the pros and cons, which most people have blogged about, we came to the conclusion that the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. There is a wealth of resources out there which we can use to advantage. Many of these tools, we don't even know about and evidently the web is ever expanding and developing and new things are being created all the time. This gives us even more reason to stay involved with new web 2.0 technologies as you never know what will come up next.

This led me to think about what actually will be next in terms of the Internet? As we have discovered, technology never stands still but what else can someone invent to help us even further? Surely the Internet will become even more efficient and some people suggest that it will be able to answer specific questions rather than giving a list of useful websites which contain certain key words. Has the Internet reached it's peak? It is perhaps a possibility that any further developments will saturate the Internet therefore leading it's efficiency to decrease. Maybe there will be a new invention altogether and the Internet will be forgotten. Somehow I don't think this will be the case! I think the Internet will expand further and the boundaries between creator and user will disappear even more with new technology. Is this necessarily a good thing? We discussed that it is not always beneficial to read everyone's comments and some people may upload factually incorrect information to sites such as wikipedia.

By having to upload my photos to flickr I have learnt a new skill completely. I didn't even know that flickr existed and now I know how to use it and how it can help me. It is definitely a useful tool in promoting yourself as a performer and is a great opportunity to show yourself in a variety of things and could lead to potential employment. Also, by having to upload my video to you tube I have again learnt something new. Now I have done it once I would definitely use it as a tool for self promotion and to share things with others or get feedback from people. It seems a great way to get un biased opinion through comments of people you don't know as sometimes friends and family can be biased and over complimentary.

I have even learnt a lot from simply completing the first task of setting up my blog and making my profile. This is something I would never have previously done but now I See that it is a great way of learning from other people, sharing thoughts and ideas and improving my networking and communication skills. I am glad that at the moment I have the time to check and update my blog but I fear that this may not be the case for too much longer as I seem to be taking on an ever increasing amount of things. However, I will endeavour to give it the time it needs and deserves as I have got a great sense of involvement at the moment which I do not want to lose.

It seems clear that I have already learnt so much from these few simple tasks so it is amazing to think what else is out there and what could be next. I am very much looking forward to the second part of the module.

You tube video...

I have created my video on 'Starting out on BAPP' and uploaded it to you tube. I decided to film a background and add music and annotation rather than speaking as it symbolised what I wanted to portray. I decided to slowly zoom out on a tree to show a changing perspective and things becoming clearer as time goes on.

At first I found it quite challenging to upload the video and edit it as my technology skills need some work! I have never used you tube before so it was all a bit alien. Eventually I found my way and managed to upload the video and edit it in the way I wanted. I found it very insightful to use this tool as I had no idea you could do so many things on you tube. Now I have used it once I will be much more likely to use it to my advantage in the future and perhaps to promote myself as a performer. I can definately say I have now learnt a new skill!

After I created it I realised that I don't think it is on my you tube channel and I am unsure of how to get it on there but here is the link to my video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lg2Ckp44S00

All comments as always will be greatly appreciated

Campus session-web 2.0 discussion

At the campus session last Friday we discussed the advantages and disadvantages of web 2.0 in our professional practice. We were put in to groups in order to discuss this. During our discussion, Adesola advised our group to try and explore our thoughts and ideas using images rather than words. We each drew a picture of what we thought about web 2.0 and tried to link it to the person who had previously drawn a picture as we weren't allowed to discuss our ideas verbally until the end of the exercise. From looking at our picture at the end we discovered the following things about web 2.0:

• It is constantly expanding in different directions- some of which are good and some of which could be harmful
• It is a global utility- an amazing advantage for your career and networking as you can connect with almost anyone in the world.
• Information can be put in by anyone which can be harmful as it could lead us to believe inaccurate information. We must therefore be selective and intelligent in filtering information. Don't take everything as fact.
• There is perhaps too much information that it has become saturated. While researching we can get stuck in the same circle of information and not look far enough to utilise all the information that could be available to us.
• It can unite people of similar interest
• It can also isolate people
• It could lead to success if you build up a profile and reputation through services available
• It could ruin your reputation (anyone can tag any photo of you on facebook which could be damaging)

I tried to insert our picture here but for some reason it wouldn't upload. I have therefore put it on flickr so you can see it. Here is the link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/natalieless/5051639200/

Task 1b- developed thoughts on the reader 'Professional Communications Technology'

At school we were always advised not to use Wikipedia when doing research due to the fact that it can be inaccurate because anyone can change the information. In fact, we were actually told off if we had used it to obtain information. At the time I did not give this comment a second thought and I have steered well clear of the site ever since. I accepted that my teacher was correct and I did not question what I was told to do. After going through the reader and researching web 2.0 I realise that there is so much more to sites such as Wikipedia than a handful of inaccurate information. However, I can see the theory that if anyone can edit or add information then there are no guarantees that it is correct unless we fully trust the knowledge of every user. While one of the main principles of web 2.0 is linked to trusting other users, there is a difference between valuing everyone’s opinion and accepting factual information. Therefore I can see why my school was wary of us researching on Wikipedia but the reason behind it was never properly explained.

I then decided that it would be fitting to research web 2.0 on a web 2.0 site itself. So Wikipedia was my first port of call. It went through most of the principles, concepts and characteristics of web 2.0 which are all explained in the reader and additional reading. However, the section I found most interesting was the criticism. I would recommend reading all the information on Wikipedia on this topic but this is a section which made me think more critically;

‘In terms of Web 2.0's social impact, critics such as Andrew Keen argue that Web 2.0 has created a cult of digital narcissism and amateurism, which undermines the notion of expertise by allowing anybody, anywhere to share and place undue value upon their own opinions about any subject and post any kind of content, regardless of their particular talents, knowledge, credentials, biases or possible hidden agendas. Additionally, Sunday Times reviewer John Flintoff has characterized Web 2.0 as "creating an endless digital forest of mediocrity: uninformed political commentary, unseemly home videos, embarrassingly amateurish music, unreadable poems, essays and novels", and also asserted that Wikipedia is full of "mistakes, half truths and misunderstandings".^[45]’

Wikipedia, Web 2.0 (online), last modified September 2010. Available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_2.0 (accessed 28th September 2010)

                This shows that there are also disadvantages of web 2.0 and ever increasing technology. In my opinion, as long as the user is aware of the disadvantages and dangers that are presented then an increase in technology can only be a good thing. While we should value everyone’s opinion that comments on a video, posts a blog, or updates their status on facebook, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is correct. In an ideal world, we should use that opinion to shape and develop our own ideas and the beauty of it is that we can discard it from our mind if we don’t like it. It seemed ironic to be searching for information about Wikipedia on Wikipedia but it seemed a fitting approach.

One of the first things that occurred to me after going through the reader on web 2.0 was that I have never even considered the possibility that new sites such as facebook and blog sites would be of a different generation to any other sites where there is a clear boundary between the creator and the reader. I understand all the concepts of web 2.0; that the internet is used as a platform, that the roles of reader and creator are merged and it enables a ‘many to many’ approach where millions of people can talk to each other over a blog, a video on you tube, or a social networking site. It is clear that all these factors help people to broaden their own knowledge and ideas by being more able to hear the opinions of others on the internet. It is amazing to think that you could now have a relationship with someone over a social networking site who is sitting half way across the world. However, is it not slightly concerning that anyone else using web 2.0 or looking at facebook could know as much about your relationship as you do? In order for something to be private, you have to actively make it private, if not it is there for the whole world to see. I think that some users forget how many people can see what you write as you feel like you are just writing to one person and this could possibly cause more problems than it is worth.

          Clearly web 2.0 has altered the way people work and it must affect nearly every industry in some way. One of the ways it has helped the dancing/performing industry is that it has facilitated the communication between employers and potential employees. It is now possible for an employer to search for someone on the internet (most probably using Google, a web 2.0 search engine) and then they are likely to find their facebook page, blog or you tube videos of their work. This could then lead to that person getting a job purely based on their involvement in web 2.0 sites and how they have portrayed themselves over the internet. This concept seems an invaluable advantage of the new and developing web technologies and communications.

          According to the information, this new web generation encourages social interaction. However, is this actually the case? It may well encourage virtual interaction but not physical social interaction with another person. Social networking sites are extremely popular and easy to use but more time spent interacting on the internet means less time spent interacting socially. In my opinion it is more important that future generations develop social and ‘people’ skills rather than how to discuss a youtube video with someone in Australia. Sometimes I think that social networking sites are a way for people to hide behind something and block out their insecurities. Surely this means that they will find it harder to talk to someone face to face if they are more used to talking in a chat room where they are in the comfort of their own home, safely behind their laptop and they do not have to be judged on their physical appearance if they don’t want to. In effect you can be virtually whoever you want to be, which again poses a danger of people saying they are someone they are not. The gravity of this danger is seen through cases of paedophiles talking to children and interactive sites give another opportunity for them to look at and talk to children.

          It is clear that web 2.0 has changed the way the world works and if this can change our lives so much then surely a further increase in technology would change them even more. Technology is always developing so surely there will be a third web generation coming soon? When I researched this on the internet I found that there are various ideas on what is next for the web. These included; a merging of the internet world with the real world and an even more intelligent web which is virtually like a personal assistant by providing exact answers to your questions rather than a list of websites which might contain the answer you are looking for. I found the following idea particularly interesting;

‘Eventually you might be able to ask your browser open questions like "where should I go for lunch?" Your browser would consult its records of what you like and dislike, take into account your current location and then suggest a list of restaurants.’

Strickland. J, 2008 How web 3.0 will work (online), how stuff works.com, available from http://computer.howstuffworks.com/web-30.htm (accessed 30^th September 2010)

Task 1d- photos on flickr

In relation to task 1d I have posted a set of photos of 'my work' on to flickr. By doing this I have realised that there are so many ways to market yourself on the internet so if someone (i.e a potentail employer) was to search for you then your photos would come up. This could help you 'sell yourself' and perhaps lead to employment.

Here is the link to my album on flickr:

Natalie's photos on flickr

Any comments or improvements would be greatly appreciated!

Response to Paula's blog on reputaion

I have just read Paula's post on the importance of reputation and I found it so interesting and informative that I thought I would write my own post about it. I also thought this would be a good oppertunity to practice putting a link on a word as this is something I have never done before. I would never even have thought to do it if Mark Iles had not suggested it to me. It is such a clever idea as it makes it so much easier to get involved as you can go directly to a site or a blog that the person has mentioned without having to search on the internet to find it.

Going back to Paula's piece, I couldn't agree more. Even if we don't realise it, we base some of our opinion on someone's reputation and the opinion that others have of that person. Subconsciously I have come to rely on the people who have been commenting on my blog and actively posting on their own blog. Even though I did not consciously make a decision I have now formed an opinion that they are reliable people just because they are involved.

When I have received comments on my blog I have found it so much more helpful than I thought I would. At first I found the idea of having an 'online relationship' with someone a bit strange, but now I realise that it is not strange at all and in fact adds a new dimension to the way you talk to that person and the way you view them.

When we meet someone in person we are so influenced by the way the look, their physicality and their mannerisms. However, when you are talking to someone via their blog you are forced to judge them on different qualities and it is these qualities which help you form your opinion of them and if and when I see some of the people in person again I will view them with a completly different mindset.

I think that communication via the internet allows a lot of barriers to be let down that we have when we meet people in person for the first time. There is much less awkwardness and everything is more open. I'm sure this is largely due to the fact that we don't feel like we are being judged by the other person as we are in the safety of our own home, behind our own computer and the person cannot actually see us.

After writing this blog, it has lead me to think  about the reader and the thoughts I had after reading it. I now feel like I need to go back and read it again, while also looking more in to the additional reading for a more informed opinion. I will do that now and come back with more developed thoughts.

Thank you to everyone who has comented on my posts so far, it has most definately been helpful!