Thursday, May 31, 2007
Well. New Communication Technology course is almost over. Actually I suppose it is over as soon as I finish this concluding blog. I am relieved all assignments/tests are done with. That said, this subject I found to be one of the more enjoyable of my first selection. Although it was compulsory to my degree, I'm glad i took it. I did find my self learning useful information about technology and other things- for example I’ve always been interested in knowing how the internet actually works. I enjoyed the films, nice change to the usual lectures. I'm glad I got introduced to the whole blogging concept too. I quite liked doing this blog task. It seemed a more relaxed assessment item. This was definitely refreshing in this first stress filled semester of uni. So overall, I'd rate this course fairly high. Although. This is being said before I have received my marks...which could change my opinion completley..lol
Saturday, May 26, 2007
WEEK 11- Microsoft Excel
To be honest when viewing this week’s task I wasn’t all too excited. The thought of Microsoft Excel conjures up nightmarish images in my mind of grade 10 math assignments. But I persevered through it and didn't find it all that excruciating.
Again...here is the result of my efforts if you wish to look...
Again...here is the result of my efforts if you wish to look...
Week 10 - Using Microsoft Worddddd
When I first saw this tute task i thought, wow how easy. And i guess the first three steps were extremley simple.
Then I started to learn some m.w skills. which is a good thing, it deffinetly made the text look more professional.
Well here is the final result. Pretty impressive huh?
Then I started to learn some m.w skills. which is a good thing, it deffinetly made the text look more professional.
Well here is the final result. Pretty impressive huh?
Thursday, May 10, 2007
The internets effect on the youth of today
By Ruby Winter
Student Number: s2576956
Our computer-driven society demands that the children of today develop the ability to operate in a technological environment, acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to be productive. These skills are becoming as essential as reading or writing. Reasons for this are said to be the result of such things as the increase of globalization, which has contributed towards creating a wider spread connection of the internet. While this rapid increase of internet usage has definitely had advantages for today’s generation, such as an increased opportunity to learn about the world around them and to be more accessible to information to learn, increasing recent reports have been connecting psychologically addictive characteristics to Internet use, along with speculation of its negative influence on social functioning.
Current internet usage is wide spread and growing. Current estimates indicate that 149 million people are online worldwide, and that number is increasing at the rate of 12% a month. (Goldberg 2007). According to a survey report from the U.S. Census Bureau, 22.2% of the 76 million American computer users aged 3 and above use the Internet and one fifth of children with home computers use them to access the Internet on a daily basis. (Greenfield 1999). With these staggering numbers, there is little doubt as to the popularity of Internet use.
While our culture heralds the internet as a technological wonder, there are suggestions that internet use has a negative influence on individuals and their social skills. A recent study conducted by Carnegie Mellon University concludes that internet use leads to small but statistically significant increases in depression and loneliness and a decline in overall psychological well-being. A study called ‘HomeNet’ project studied a group of 169 people during their first two years online. Statistics showed that the more a person used the internet, the more they reported in losing interest in social activities and meeting friends in real life. (Greenfield, D.N. 1999). They also showed that they were spending less time talking with their families, had an increase in daily stress levels, and felt more isolated and unhappy on the whole. These results occurred even though communication with other people via the net was their main use of the web.
An American survey conducted claimed that a majority of parents were worried about their children’s increased need to be able to have access and use the internet on a more frequent scale. However they still believed that the internet was essential to their children’s learning. The ill effects of internet usage were seen to dramatically increase in secondary school. In a New York university, the dropout rate among first year newcomers rose as students had direct individual access to a personal computer, which in turn increased their internet usage. Officials learned that 43% of the dropouts were staying up all night on the Internet (O’Shaughnessy 2002). In another survey conducted by the Australian bureau of statistics, regarding the effect of technology on interpersonal relationships and communication showed the most frequently mentioned potential problem dealt with electronic communication in the forms of e-mail, discussion groups, and chat rooms. Many respondents spoke of a sense of isolation when using these applications as well as the lack of face to face contact as a contributing factor to feelings of alienation and loneliness .A small, but significant amount of people even blaming excessive online use for the break-up of their marriage. (Egger 1996).
With this information in mind there is much debate among psychologists as to the risk of a psychological disorder being associated with online use. Dubbed "Internet Addiction Disorder" research suggests the existence of addictive behavior being found common in heavy internet users. Some conditions detected in internet addictions include: (a) using the computer for pleasure, gratification, or relief from stress; (b) feeling irritable and out of control or depressed when not using it; (c) spending increasing amounts of time and money on hardware, software, magazines, and computer-related activities; and (d) neglecting work, school, or family obligations Some heavy internet users surveyed have also described experiencing a cocaine-like "rush" when using the Internet. On the flipside to this argument, other medical professionals claim that this is not an actual ‘internet addiction’ but more of a personality disorder. In a lighter view, some have taken a more humorous approach to identifying the characteristics of Internet addicts. In a site entitled You Know You're Addicted When (click to veiw), the viewer is greeted with a seemingly endless list of warning signs. At the moment there is no actual scientific disease classified as ‘internet addiction’. (George Rodman McGraw-Hill 2006)
It was found that teenagers are much heavier Internet users than their parents. While adults tend to use the Internet as part of their jobs and to get employment-related information, teenagers were more likely to use the Internet to play games, to listen to music, and to meet new people. This particular appeal has caused further concern among educators. Michael A. Weinstein, a professor of physiological science, stated that users will "lose the savvy and skills and patience to conduct social relations in the corporeal world," and that “the Internet will intensify the negative effect television has already had on our social skills”. This is certainly a negative outlook. Combined with these matters, the internet also carries an issue of safety. From internet stalking, porn sites, issues such as the Columbine shootings and pedophilia are just some that have raised concern when dealing with the internet. Like Weinstein, many have taken the view that the media and technology -- including television, movies, and CD recordings -- have demoralized the values and social functioning of our children. (Goldberg 2007). This point of view believes the internet is a prime culprit for this affliction with its proneness to addictive game-playing capabilities, and sexually inappropriate temptations.
Although this may seem like a grim situation, further research confirms, at the moment a majority of youth do not have a serious problem. Computers are certainly engrossing and the internet is most assuredly alluring with its research and communicative capacities. But overall, this technology can be considered a positive enhancement to society. As an example, here are just some of the opportunities the internet offers:
- Instant Communications: email, chat, school, club and company web sites
- News and Reference: every major newspaper is now online
- Encyclopedias
- Entertainment
- Movie guides
- Music
- Online videos
- Commerce: shop, transport schedules, sell and buy via the net.
-
(http://www.coedu.usf.edu/internetsafety.htm)
These benefits, more than justify the negative aspect of internet use. Like with a lot of things in society, the internet can be used effectively, and it can be abused. With proper monitoring for children and a balanced lifestyle, it is fair to say the internet is most certainly an asset to everyday life.
Bibliography:
http://www.coedu.usf.edu/internetsafety.htm
Media and Society: an introduction: 2nd edition, Michael O’Shaughnessy, Oxford University Press, 2002
The Media, Politics and Public Life: Geoffrey Craig, Allen and Urwin, 2004
Mass Media in a Changing World; George Rodman; McGraw-Hill, 2006
Davis, R. (1999). Is internet addiction real? Victoria Point Multimedia [On-line]. Available: http://www.victoriapoint.com/Addiction%20or%20not.htm
Egger, O. (1996). Internet behavior and addiction. Available: http://www.ifap.bepr.ethz.ch/~egger
Fainaru, S. (1998). Experts fear video games breed violence. The Boston Globe, October 19 Available: http://www.adn.com/stories/T98110984.html
Goldberg, I. (1997). Diagnostic criteria. Internet Addiction Disorder Available:http://www.cog.brown.edu/brochure/people/duchon/humor/internet.addiction.html
Greenfield, D.N. (1999). Virtual addiction. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
Young, K. S. (1998). Caught in the net. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Peaks/6944/orignet.html
By Ruby Winter
Student Number: s2576956
Our computer-driven society demands that the children of today develop the ability to operate in a technological environment, acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to be productive. These skills are becoming as essential as reading or writing. Reasons for this are said to be the result of such things as the increase of globalization, which has contributed towards creating a wider spread connection of the internet. While this rapid increase of internet usage has definitely had advantages for today’s generation, such as an increased opportunity to learn about the world around them and to be more accessible to information to learn, increasing recent reports have been connecting psychologically addictive characteristics to Internet use, along with speculation of its negative influence on social functioning.
Current internet usage is wide spread and growing. Current estimates indicate that 149 million people are online worldwide, and that number is increasing at the rate of 12% a month. (Goldberg 2007). According to a survey report from the U.S. Census Bureau, 22.2% of the 76 million American computer users aged 3 and above use the Internet and one fifth of children with home computers use them to access the Internet on a daily basis. (Greenfield 1999). With these staggering numbers, there is little doubt as to the popularity of Internet use.
While our culture heralds the internet as a technological wonder, there are suggestions that internet use has a negative influence on individuals and their social skills. A recent study conducted by Carnegie Mellon University concludes that internet use leads to small but statistically significant increases in depression and loneliness and a decline in overall psychological well-being. A study called ‘HomeNet’ project studied a group of 169 people during their first two years online. Statistics showed that the more a person used the internet, the more they reported in losing interest in social activities and meeting friends in real life. (Greenfield, D.N. 1999). They also showed that they were spending less time talking with their families, had an increase in daily stress levels, and felt more isolated and unhappy on the whole. These results occurred even though communication with other people via the net was their main use of the web.
An American survey conducted claimed that a majority of parents were worried about their children’s increased need to be able to have access and use the internet on a more frequent scale. However they still believed that the internet was essential to their children’s learning. The ill effects of internet usage were seen to dramatically increase in secondary school. In a New York university, the dropout rate among first year newcomers rose as students had direct individual access to a personal computer, which in turn increased their internet usage. Officials learned that 43% of the dropouts were staying up all night on the Internet (O’Shaughnessy 2002). In another survey conducted by the Australian bureau of statistics, regarding the effect of technology on interpersonal relationships and communication showed the most frequently mentioned potential problem dealt with electronic communication in the forms of e-mail, discussion groups, and chat rooms. Many respondents spoke of a sense of isolation when using these applications as well as the lack of face to face contact as a contributing factor to feelings of alienation and loneliness .A small, but significant amount of people even blaming excessive online use for the break-up of their marriage. (Egger 1996).
With this information in mind there is much debate among psychologists as to the risk of a psychological disorder being associated with online use. Dubbed "Internet Addiction Disorder" research suggests the existence of addictive behavior being found common in heavy internet users. Some conditions detected in internet addictions include: (a) using the computer for pleasure, gratification, or relief from stress; (b) feeling irritable and out of control or depressed when not using it; (c) spending increasing amounts of time and money on hardware, software, magazines, and computer-related activities; and (d) neglecting work, school, or family obligations Some heavy internet users surveyed have also described experiencing a cocaine-like "rush" when using the Internet. On the flipside to this argument, other medical professionals claim that this is not an actual ‘internet addiction’ but more of a personality disorder. In a lighter view, some have taken a more humorous approach to identifying the characteristics of Internet addicts. In a site entitled You Know You're Addicted When (click to veiw), the viewer is greeted with a seemingly endless list of warning signs. At the moment there is no actual scientific disease classified as ‘internet addiction’. (George Rodman McGraw-Hill 2006)
It was found that teenagers are much heavier Internet users than their parents. While adults tend to use the Internet as part of their jobs and to get employment-related information, teenagers were more likely to use the Internet to play games, to listen to music, and to meet new people. This particular appeal has caused further concern among educators. Michael A. Weinstein, a professor of physiological science, stated that users will "lose the savvy and skills and patience to conduct social relations in the corporeal world," and that “the Internet will intensify the negative effect television has already had on our social skills”. This is certainly a negative outlook. Combined with these matters, the internet also carries an issue of safety. From internet stalking, porn sites, issues such as the Columbine shootings and pedophilia are just some that have raised concern when dealing with the internet. Like Weinstein, many have taken the view that the media and technology -- including television, movies, and CD recordings -- have demoralized the values and social functioning of our children. (Goldberg 2007). This point of view believes the internet is a prime culprit for this affliction with its proneness to addictive game-playing capabilities, and sexually inappropriate temptations.
Although this may seem like a grim situation, further research confirms, at the moment a majority of youth do not have a serious problem. Computers are certainly engrossing and the internet is most assuredly alluring with its research and communicative capacities. But overall, this technology can be considered a positive enhancement to society. As an example, here are just some of the opportunities the internet offers:
- Instant Communications: email, chat, school, club and company web sites
- News and Reference: every major newspaper is now online
- Encyclopedias
- Entertainment
- Movie guides
- Music
- Online videos
- Commerce: shop, transport schedules, sell and buy via the net.
-
(http://www.coedu.usf.edu/internetsafety.htm)
These benefits, more than justify the negative aspect of internet use. Like with a lot of things in society, the internet can be used effectively, and it can be abused. With proper monitoring for children and a balanced lifestyle, it is fair to say the internet is most certainly an asset to everyday life.
Bibliography:
http://www.coedu.usf.edu/internetsafety.htm
Media and Society: an introduction: 2nd edition, Michael O’Shaughnessy, Oxford University Press, 2002
The Media, Politics and Public Life: Geoffrey Craig, Allen and Urwin, 2004
Mass Media in a Changing World; George Rodman; McGraw-Hill, 2006
Davis, R. (1999). Is internet addiction real? Victoria Point Multimedia [On-line]. Available: http://www.victoriapoint.com/Addiction%20or%20not.htm
Egger, O. (1996). Internet behavior and addiction. Available: http://www.ifap.bepr.ethz.ch/~egger
Fainaru, S. (1998). Experts fear video games breed violence. The Boston Globe, October 19 Available: http://www.adn.com/stories/T98110984.html
Goldberg, I. (1997). Diagnostic criteria. Internet Addiction Disorder Available:http://www.cog.brown.edu/brochure/people/duchon/humor/internet.addiction.html
Greenfield, D.N. (1999). Virtual addiction. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
Young, K. S. (1998). Caught in the net. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Peaks/6944/orignet.html
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