A concept that I found interesting in chapter 15 is Gender Swapping. I have never heard of this term, and was more intrigued when I found out the definition. Harris states the definition to be someone who portrays themselves as a different gender in CMC. I have never heard of this being done, and was shocked to see the percentages of how many people are estimated to have done it. I find it hard to believe that 40% to 60% of people are believed to have done this. I wanted to find out more information, so I did some research.
After doing some research, I find out a number of reasons why someone would want to participate in gender swapping. One reason was that it is a way to draw more attention to ones self. It seems that getting noticed on the internet is hard, and as a result some depend on gender swapping to get noticed. Another reason that was given was that male/females may want to get a better understanding of the opposite. They may not have a median for it, so they assume that gender. I can truly say I have learned something that was out of my scope of view.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
CMC Vs. F2F
Computer Mediated Communication or CMC is interaction between people via means of media. These include but not limited to email, internet video and audio. Face to face is interaction between people in person. There are many reasons as to why one may be better than the other. Some people will prefer CMC because it offers a more convenient way of interacting with people. Others will prefer face to face because it offers a more interpersonal connection with the people.
In thinking outside of the box, I can see that people can lose some of the social skills that develop with F2F interaction. We can lose some of the verbal communication with CMC. For example if we are emailing back and forth on a solution for a project, we may lose the verbal signs that we get from F2F. If we read the email and disagree with it, then our facial expression changes, and possibly our body language. It will be difficult to get a full understanding f the problem with just words alone. I think the biggest draw back with CMC is responding in real world. With F2F, if a problem occurs, it can be discussed immediately, instead of having a communication lag with CMC.
In thinking outside of the box, I can see that people can lose some of the social skills that develop with F2F interaction. We can lose some of the verbal communication with CMC. For example if we are emailing back and forth on a solution for a project, we may lose the verbal signs that we get from F2F. If we read the email and disagree with it, then our facial expression changes, and possibly our body language. It will be difficult to get a full understanding f the problem with just words alone. I think the biggest draw back with CMC is responding in real world. With F2F, if a problem occurs, it can be discussed immediately, instead of having a communication lag with CMC.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Rappers
For this project, I observed the interactions of a rap group. I chose to observe a rap group because I listen to rap, and wanted to know more about the culture. I wanted to observe if the art of rapping had an actual business aspect. I went into the project not knowing much about the group; I came out with a wealth of knowledge. I liked this project because it gave me the opportunity to see into the life of a culture that I had very little knowledge of.
I learned a lot about not just rap music, but about different people from different cultures too. One of the members in the group had been arrested, and he felt that rapping was the only way to stay out of trouble. I also learned that recording in a studio is expensive. I was surprised that members of the rap group had jobs just so they could pay for studio time. Also, the members of the group all had different directions that they wanted to go. When I hear about famous groups breaking up, I now have a clearer understanding as to why this may happen. It may not be because they are at a big disagreement like the media may portray, but for the fact they wish to pursue their own ventures. I can relate this to the professional work world. Often, we will change our focus because we feel that our skills are better suited for other projects.
I learned a lot about not just rap music, but about different people from different cultures too. One of the members in the group had been arrested, and he felt that rapping was the only way to stay out of trouble. I also learned that recording in a studio is expensive. I was surprised that members of the rap group had jobs just so they could pay for studio time. Also, the members of the group all had different directions that they wanted to go. When I hear about famous groups breaking up, I now have a clearer understanding as to why this may happen. It may not be because they are at a big disagreement like the media may portray, but for the fact they wish to pursue their own ventures. I can relate this to the professional work world. Often, we will change our focus because we feel that our skills are better suited for other projects.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Posting 3
The forum format offers a smaller format so that groups can listen to larger audiences. In this type of format, the full audience can participate in the discussion. Participants can give responses in the form of reaction speeches one at a time. The panel is a public forum where four to eight people discuss an issue in front of an audience. Following a problem solving format, humor is sometimes used to keep the audience focused. The colloquium is public discussion in which three to six experts discuss a problem with a moderator leading the discussion. The Symposium is a series of two to six brief speeches giving by people who have more knowledge on the subject.
I prefer the forum format because it encourages everyone to participate, and can relieve some jitters and stress. I like the fact that the audience can give responses to what is heard, as it allows for more real time responses. The audience can be diverse offering different perspective on the problem.
I prefer the forum format because it encourages everyone to participate, and can relieve some jitters and stress. I like the fact that the audience can give responses to what is heard, as it allows for more real time responses. The audience can be diverse offering different perspective on the problem.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Idea Writing
Idea Writing is the process of splitting up a large group into a smaller group so that a group goal can be accomplished. In idea writing, the group responds to a question via writing. Unlike Buzz Sessions, participants respond by writing instead of verbally. After each person responds, they pass their paper to the next person so that they can respond. At the end, the group discusses the main points that were learned.
I first experience this in my English 1B class at San Jose State University. My teacher would have us write in journals in response to a question, and then break into groups to allow others to read it. The students would then respond with short messages to help creative thinking. I think this is important because sometimes groups can get off track when discussing orally. Also, it may be easier to write our thoughts rather than speak it. By doing this, I feel I could fully express myself, and not feel shy about it.
I first experience this in my English 1B class at San Jose State University. My teacher would have us write in journals in response to a question, and then break into groups to allow others to read it. The students would then respond with short messages to help creative thinking. I think this is important because sometimes groups can get off track when discussing orally. Also, it may be easier to write our thoughts rather than speak it. By doing this, I feel I could fully express myself, and not feel shy about it.
Conflict Resolution
Collaboration conflict resolution entails that everyone comes out a winner. The group comes to a consensus and agrees to what is better for the group. Although each side may not get everything they want, the goal is to try and get the most important items. I believe that collaboration conflict resolution happens in group activity everyday. A good example of this happens when family discuss where to eat for dinner. Usually when it’s time for dinner, everyone has their place they want to go. In order for the group to function and eat, everyone needs to feel as if they have won. This situation happened last week, and we ended up choosing a buffet where everyone could have what they wanted.
Competitive conflict resolution has an outcome of a win-lose situation. It is unfortunate that everyone cannon win, but competition creates environments where people can have a healthy way of winning. A good example of this occurs in sports, like football and soccer, or in professional settings like sales jobs. Tomorrow there is a boxing match that I will watch. This match is between to evenly match players and is sure to encourage competition among viewers. Although there can be only one winner, the competition will show who the better opponent is.
Competitive conflict resolution has an outcome of a win-lose situation. It is unfortunate that everyone cannon win, but competition creates environments where people can have a healthy way of winning. A good example of this occurs in sports, like football and soccer, or in professional settings like sales jobs. Tomorrow there is a boxing match that I will watch. This match is between to evenly match players and is sure to encourage competition among viewers. Although there can be only one winner, the competition will show who the better opponent is.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Openness
The concept of openness is a term that I think is important in being creative in a group. It is important for people to feel that they can say anything that comes to their mind. If people feel that they cannot say anything, then the process can not go on. Because some of these ideas may seem far fetched to some, it is important to understand what the ideas can develop into.
A good example of this is being in a group environment with my family. I know that I have a supportive environment for communicating almost any idea that I may have. I feel I can say anything in front of my parents, and I will not be shunned because of it. They are supportive of my ideas and thoughts, no matter how off the beaten path they may be. I know that because of the openness in my family that I can use my freedom in my school work, as well in the professional world.
A good example of this is being in a group environment with my family. I know that I have a supportive environment for communicating almost any idea that I may have. I feel I can say anything in front of my parents, and I will not be shunned because of it. They are supportive of my ideas and thoughts, no matter how off the beaten path they may be. I know that because of the openness in my family that I can use my freedom in my school work, as well in the professional world.
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