I think that blogging is an interesting way of communicating with fellow classmates and the instructor. It's not the first class I've had that's done this. It seems to work out nicely. Plus, with the class topic of technology, we can really look into the good and evil parts of technology and our dependence on them.

Assumptions:
1. Technology breeds laziness.
2. Technology creates waste.
3. Science and technology are part of human nature.
Questions:
1. Does technology breed laziness, or does it enhance the standard of living? This question is posed and influenced by many cultural and societal influences. In my opinion, society and the media tend to dictate to the general public what they need to enhance their lives. For example, having a new iphone will make life easier, but it also makes a person depend less on what's around them. Technology also breeds a culture that stays in more, playing video games and chatting online. It creates laziness toward physical activity.
2. Is waste a necessary evil for the advancement of technology? This question was influenced by cultural aspects today. I believe that we have developed into a society that thinks technology has all the answers. For example, we create technology to make our lives easier. Now, technology is always advancing, so new products are always hitting the markets. So what do we do with the old technology? We throw it away. This creates waste. Then we sit around waiting for new technology to come along to fix the waste problem. This is more of a personal view on the assumption.
3. Can we strike a balance between technology and the intended simplistic way of human nature? This is a question influenced from all realms: social, cultural, religious, and personal. When do we hit the point of going too far as far as technology is concerned? Society dictates that we need technology; cultural standards encourage the advancement of technology; religion indicates we reject technology; and then there's the consumer. It is a personal decision to know what is made for us by technology, and what is intrinsically already in us and around us.

Question #1 Part B.

Assumption 1. Technology breads laziness.

I can say from personal experience that this is a true factor. I have found that in the past few years I have been communicating with people more and more via the internet. This makes it hard for me to leave the couch and go outside when I know I can do so many things on the computer. It is also becoming a cultural norm for people to become more lazy due to technological advances. An example could be the fact that some people now never leave their homes due to the fact that they can just work from home on the internet. Texting, video chats, and instant messaging really allows people to be lazy and get away with it.

Assumption 2. Technology creates additional waste.

Just looking at the enviornment today one can tell that technology is creating more and more waste. Poloution is also becoming a problem due to the fact that technology is becoming more and more massivly produced. An example can be China, the poloution over there has become out of control due to the production of better, more efficient vehicles and other technological manufacturing. Another fact is that some computer parts can not just be thrown away like garbage so in order to destroy them it takes a long process and alot of time just to destroy waste that should have otherwise been a non factor.

Assumption 3. Science & Technology are part of human nature.

When looking at how we live today it is more or less impossible to live without technology. Science and Technology are everywhere, from hospitals to museums to spaceships. the world we live in needs technology to survive. Though science has caused some harm to man kind it still has created a number of medicines and techniques in order to cure disease and man made problems such as poloution.

Enemies of Promise /Blog Posting

Assumption:Technology is often utilized in a progressive manner, but can also be harmful to others (and self) when exploited.

Questions Indexed below:

Does technology in our everyday life create laziness or enhance quality of life?


Does Climate and Environment clearly impact our activities on a daily basis, re: indoor or outdoor activities. Skiing vs. watching TV?


The ability to communicate via several mediums dilutes our social activities. Therefore, people are more disconnected. What are such disconnects?

People are now able to assume various personalities online: i.e Dateline (To catch a Predator). Why?


At what point does the ambition of science intersect with the conservative notions and Ideals of the church?

Enemies of Promise. Question 1 group work.

Cesar, Ahmer, Mike, Haley

A. Our 3 Assumptions-

1) Science and religion directly conflict with one another.

2) Technology improves quality of life.

3) The extent to which technology allows us to communicate has provided many benefits, however, it has destroyed our sense of privacy.


(Questions collectively from Ceasar, Ahmer, Mike, and Haley)

"Enemies of Promise" Group Work (Amalia, Jackie, Xuchil, Nicole & Izzy)

I. Technology helps mankind
- Social, cultural & personal aspects
* How has technology allowed us better efficiency of our time? (Nicole)
* How has it deterred us from physical exercise? (Izzy/Jackie)

II. Technology is dangerous
- Stories you hear, news coverage on malfunctions (cultural/social)
* In what way has technology been used to make a safer environment? (Xuchil)
* Is human error to blame for things such as airplane, car or other accidents/ malfunctions? (Xuchil)
* Does weaponry harm more than it protects? (Amalia)

III. Technology diminishes human relationships
- Cultural & social aspects (text, AIM, facebook, etc)
* Have you ever been with your friend while they were on AIM or texting the whole time?(Amalia)
* Does talking through technologies expand your web of friends? (Amalia)

Response

It’s quite obvious that as a medical doctor his biases lay in the sciences. As a whole, the study of medicine is aimed at increasing quality of life and the overall betterment of the human population. However, I do feel that he down plays the notion of religion playing an integral part of the community. In my opinion, life sciences and religion both play key roles in shaping the lives and thoughts of the masses. There must be a synergy and/or balance in between both. A community without such a balance can plant the seeds for anarchy in the near future.

I think that having a class blog is a great thing because it is a whole lot easier to communicate to other students as well as the professor. I had a website for one of my classes last semester and it made getting in touch with my groups for projects and such. It is one way to bring technology into the classroom. The blog will bring a sense of ease of communication between teacher and student, as well as from student to student. By checking the blog on a regular basis I can see what others are doing and that in turn will show me where I can inpove my skills. I think that I can bring some interesting questions to the table, blog, and hopefully spark some conversation between myself and others. I would like to think that I could learn from students and contribute to conversation as a whole.

post #1

This my first time hearing about a class blog idea but i think it's a great way the class to communicate with each other more. I'm not exactly sure how i plan to use the class blog, it's a new experience for me, but I'm sure I'll be able to bring "useful things" to the blogs.

Blog

This is my very first Blog ever. I have never really understood blogging before, so I suppose it is sort of exciting. I think it is a good way to encourage discussion outside of the classroom. I imagine that there are lots of good reasons for a class to use a blog as a means of discussion. Some of the most obvious reasons to me include- being able to post up answers to conversations that were not finished in class, or answer questions that no one knew during class time. It also allows us to take time to think about large questions before answering them. I also see a blog as a useful tool to post up questions/ideas as we are doing our homework so that we dont forget these ideas. Being able to see other's ideas is often advantageous to helping create your own new thoughts, shed new light on your thoughts, or advance them.

I'm not exactly sure how I will use this blog in this class. I think this greatly depends on what goes on in class and in our homework. But I am sure that I will use it to ask questions, in hopes of recieving answers. I also can see myself reading others' posts so that I can compare and contrast the things that I am learning with the things that others are.

I'm a little bit scared of this Blog though. I can see myself getting lost or confused with it..maybe posting on the wrong person's blog (is that possible?). I'll try not to accidently post my IMs and E-mails...but no promises.

Class Blog

Having a class blog is a good way to keep students involved in class discussion, as well as extend conversations from class time. It will also allow the students who are not as outspoken in class to voice their opinions and recieve comments to begin a dialogue which we can all learn from. Having a blog is good for people like me who sometimes have trouble find the right words when put on the spot. It will give people time to say exactly what they mean and find ways to back it up through the internet by posting links and what not. Also, controversial blogs will inspire conversation and make for great dialogue, and simply replying to posts in dissagreement will have the same effect more or less.

Hmmm...let the flames begin?...

Ok, having a class blog sounds interesting. I'll see what it's like when we learn more about the course and its readings. I can see potential use in that the blog will let me read others' thooughts without being next to them to hear and that I'll be able to read when I'm away from campus. I can't wait to see what others have to say about my little posts. I'll be sure to check posts put by my classmates and respond if something clicks in my mind. To allow for continued discussion of my posts, I'll bring up topics where I seek the views and opinions of others and keep asking them various things.

I is Arab blogging :D

I think that its a good way to keep in touch with ideas that we come up with about class material and keep them from getting lost or forgotten. I will use this to make sure that I do not fall behind and read up on the extra material to make myself better at writing. My different point of views will create interesting discussions and debate, and my Arabian awesomeness will fuel them, jk LMAO!!! no really i think its a good way to keep information sotred, but i do believe that discussions should be face to face and not over the internet.

I think having a class blog will be helpful in class feedback and getting to know eachothers individual comments and concerns on the class. I think it will help everyone get as much as possible out of what will be learned this semester, and just a new way to communicate in the classroom. I also think it fits in well with our technology theme, and it will help me have a better understanding of blogging and using the internet in general. I think it will be a useful addition to the course overall and can't wait to see how it works for the class.

The Blog

This will be the first class I've had that will uses some type of communcation outside of the class room. I think this will allow for the generation of new and creative ideas, among the students. Having access to the class and others ideas 24/7 will be helpful in answering questions any of us might have, or getting a second opinion or something. This will be a good way to pass on information by posting links to websites others might not know about. Overall I think this is a good idea, and I hope we all get a lot out of it.

Blog post #1

I have never used a blog website before and I think it would be great to familiarize myself with them. A blog will also help me understand my classmates point of view on other subjects very easily as I can just sign on and view their posts. Communicating between classmates will also be easier as I can now hold conversations with my classmates outside of the classroom. I feel that I will definitely like the aspect of blogs.

The notion of "blogging" is a fairly new phenomena that has been used by individuals as a means of expressing themselves. I think the idea of having a class blog is extremely progressive as it is a good way to receive (and give) critiques based on several writing methods. Blogger's, as a whole, are viewed as having the ability to sway the masses. Blogs also have the ability to give the "common person" a voice and the ability to connect with the masses as well. I look forward to the feedback throughout the semester as it should be a fun experience.

Assignment #1

Well having a blog in class is a definite first for me. I'm open to the idea of it, I can't see how it could hurt my learning experience. The only thing that I really wonder is whether students are going to be posting things to be discussed or does that responsibility fall squarely on Mara. If someone finds something interesting while surfing the web can he or she post it on the class blog? Then I wonder how many people would actually go through that extra work because I'm sure we will be given enough to comment on anyway. I've never read an actual blog before, much less written one but I'm looking forward to the opportunity.

Hi (>'_')> <('_'<)

Greetings interwebs. I think that having a class blog will be a fun as well as interesting experience. It gives students a chance to express themselves out of class, in a way other than spoken word. I think this blog will aid me this semester with my work, considering all of the helpful tutorials that are posted as well as the intriguing articles for discussion. Since I am a new student, I am sure the tutorials on navigating the library's catalogue will be quite handy. I will actively participate in on-going discussions because I seem to give much more thorough responses when I am writing them as opposed to speaking. I believe I can bring fresh ideas to the discussion to challenge other people's perceptions in a respectful manner.

I think that having a blog for your class is good. You get a chance to see if you are on track with the class and if you are not , hopefully someone will be able to help you. You get a chance to read what your calssmates are saying. I plan on taking advantage of it by looking at other people's comment toward my posting. Hopefully my comments will make sense or if not someone will tell me so I can edit it. I am happy that Xuchil is here in my class, she has already made me feel okay about my work and let me know I am doing okay. Now I very happy about having a blog for this class.

This will be my first time using a blog. I am excited to learn how to use one. Blogging seems like an interesting and efficient way to share ideas throughout the class. I feel I will be able to understand concepts discussed in class better by reading my classmate's ideas and opinions on the subject matter. I hope I will be able to make contributions to the class through my blog posts. Everyone and their sister seems to have a blog these days. It is about time I hopped on the bandwagon.

Class Blog

I think that it will be very interesting having a class blog. I have never used a class blog in my previous classes and i think it will be an interactive way for our class to communicate. I think that it will bring good discussion and also help the other students and myself in possibly understanding the material, and or just to learn new things. I think that if people just bring creative ideas to the blog, it will inspire people to branch off of those ideas. If one person says something that is really interesting, other people might be intrigued to reply, and interesting information will come out of it.

Nice Work!!!

My name is Ismelda Peralta and I believe that having this type of environment is pretty amazing. Just having this type of technology so socializing can became easier for me and my classmates. Now I have a direct connection that I can direct to if I need or am needed for help. Technology has done good in making things easier. Now the time that is saved can be used for something more intellectual. I think that this is a really good and helpful idea. One more thing I didn't mention, it even has direct links for homework assignments from our school. Isn't that amazing?

Blog response

I have had a class blog before, and it's definitely a hit or miss situation. Sometimes they're really helpful and good to have, mostly as a way of thinking more thoroughly about something we've gone over in class. For example, last year I was a film major and we had a class blog, and my teacher asked us to review a scene from a movie on the blog. I found this really helpful because I had a lot of freedom to delve as deep as I wanted to into this particular scene, that I chose, and there was no performance anxiety. I had the opportunity to put a statement online for credit, I found that very freeing, and it showed in the end product. However, I have signed up for several other class blogs that have fallen to the wayside and been forgotten as the year wore on. I would like for this one to be a good one, I find I am very good at responding to readings or concepts in a "blog" form, or rather, in an informal setting where I can just type and don't have to worry about structure or other paper writing logistics. I would be happy to use this as a response tool at any point during this class.

Having a class blog will be a good way for the class to communicate umoungst each other outside of the classroom. I will enjoy using the class blog to read my classmates ideas about topics in our class. Hopefully me and the rest of the class use the blog as much as possible so we can advantage of the topics. I will bring a different point of view from the others of the class, because I am not from this country and many of my relations would be about Greece, and what I believe myself to be.

I think that having a class blog is a great idea so that we can continue class discussions even when we aren't in class. I know that there are many times when i think about something I could have said in a class discussion but didn't think about it until after class so this will be a good way to express my thoughts. I had a blog before in English 101 and didnt use it very much but this semester I hope to put it to better use. I think that this blog will bring the class closer together and will ultimately help us learn from one another. I think that we can learn alot from each other if we put this blog to good use and we can also encourage each other to do our best (Jackie you'll be fine =] ) by expressing our opinions freely (as long as they don't offend anyone).

1

I think the class blog is a great idea that allows us the student to talk about things with people from our class in the comforts of our home and to continue a debate if necessary if time in class ran out.I also like the fact that it gives us a list of the readings and an online copy of the book which can be really helpful for some people.The blog is probably going to help me get more familiar with opinionated writing which can be useful if i ever needed to write something along those lines.i feel that the one thing that I can bring to the blog is my opinion.

I have never used a blog before so this is pretty interesting to me. Hopefully this will teach me to become better with technological things such as communication via the internet. I feel that the blog will allow me to give my opinion on things that I normally wouldn't do in class. I am not the type of person who likes to answer questions and talk infront of the class so maybe the blog will help me ask questions and communicate with classmates as well as the teacher. By using the blog i plan on getting to know how people feel about situations and using it as a tool to help me answer questions that I may have. Considering I usually do not participate in class discussions, this will give me the opportunity to get a participation grade without having to feel uncomfortable infront of the class.