Modeling Reality with Virtual Worlds

             Virtual worlds can be used for educational purposes, research and mainly used as a place where you can meet, chat and interact with people from all over the world. Virtual worlds are great for young children to explore their creativity by building characters and homes that best suit them. Its a more personal approach to connect with people. In the article "Situated Learning in Virtual Worlds and Immersive Simulations," the text states "Some projects have used the strategy of allowing K-12 students to become the builders of the world itself, thus translating their learning into 3D." Virtual worlds foster creativity by allowing to create a character who can represent who you are or you can make your own person who is completely different. You are in charge of your character and life, it can build your confidence. Also, it helps you design whatever you set your mind to whether your bedroom, a house, just anything that can be manifested in real life. Businesses could also implement new ideas and strategies using virtual worlds. In the article "After Second Life, Can Virtual Worlds Get A Reboot", the text states "New virtual worlds can be accessed via a web browser, rather than a downloaded program." Virtual worlds benefit a space of freedom where you can be a different person and socialize with other people who have the same interests as you. A few cons of virtual worlds may be how addicting it is with the time spent on technology and desensitization. The internet can be harmful and most virtual worlds aren't as moderated resulting in possible low self esteem if not taken care of. I hope the future of virtual worlds becomes more innovative and long lasting. As someone who thrived off of these sites, many has been taken down from the government or abruptly ended. I hope the ones used for personal use become more creative and popular but for academic and business purposes they are headed the right direction.

Cited Readings:

Situated Learning in Virtual Worlds and Immersive Simulations http://mfile.narotama.ac.id/files/Jurnal/Jurnal%202012-2013/Situated%20learning%20in%20virtual%20worlds%20and%20immersive%20simulations.pdf 

After Second Life, Can Virtual Worlds Get A Reboot. April 30, 2013. http://www.forbes.com/sites/dianemehta/2013/04/30/after-second-life-can-virtual-worlds-get-a-reboot/ 

Social Networking Sites

     My first impression of Facebook, I didn't find all that interesting and never been a fan of. I feel as though it is getting less popular and people typically don't say "follow me on Facebook" anymore. I assign the social networking of Facebook to more of the older generation like my mother and college students because there are a lot of Facebook groups in college. I love Twitter and think its the best social networking site. I believe its the quickest way to educate yourself and see things that are hidden in media. Also, its your best bet for contacting someone or capturing your attention. Twitter is more of a trendsetter for other apps because Twitter knows information first, then the other social networking sites trickle in after with the same information. Instagram is generally lagging in the past couple of years and I believe more and more people would eventually leave the app. The timeline is the biggest problem because you don't see your followers content anymore and you'll see posts from two days ago or even a week. Instagram is great for posting pictures and most likely finding other relatives or friends from the past. Lastly, Snapchat is a great app for personal use and allows you the power to have private stories(certain people can view your story). It's fun how whatever you post can last up to 24 hours. One disadvantage is how addicting the filters are and it makes people not show their true selves using the filter as a cover up.

Blog about Twitter

     As someone who has been a Twitter user for 7 years, Twitter has definitely upgraded itself in terms of tweets. Back in the day, we can only just reply to a tweet and now you can quote a tweet or create a thread. Twitter discussion is different from other discussions because there are threads now, which are all of your tweets on related topic in one setting. Twitter is different from a Blackboard discussion in a way your tweets are opened to more views rather than limited to a certain group of people. Also, you have the power to add hashtags and that can generate more engagement if other users were looking for a certain topic. Twitter is the fastest app where things can go viral at anytime rather on Blackboard or in person. Obviously, an in-class discussion is different from Twitter because of vocal interaction. In class discussions, you can most likely match an opinion to a face and you can understand the tone of voice face to face rather from behind a digital screen. 

Blog Social Networking

Social networking technologies can be used to connect people all around the world in which Facebook, Twitter and Youtube has done throughout the years. It provides platforms where your content can reach your audience and other people furthering your engagement views. Social networking allows you to market and brand yourself granting more exposure using your profile. In the article "Social Networking Technology Boosts Job Recruiting", companies have an easier time to find the candidates they're looking for which saves time. The text states, "Using Linkedin, Steckerl says he can scout a group of job candidates in just half an hour. But if he wants to develop a relationship with any of them, he says there is no substitute for a much older social networking tool: the telephone." Social networking is one of the quickest ways to reach people therefore attract their attention. An example is today more than ever, influencers and celebrities are using their platforms to encourage people to vote in this upcoming election. In the article "How Obama Tapped Into Social Networks’ Power", his idea to use social media created a big influence during his campaign. The text states, "by bolting together social networking applications under the banner of a movement, they created an unforeseen force to raise money, organize locally, fight smear campaigns and get out the vote that helped them topple the Clinton machine and then John McCain and the Republicans. Also, you are also able to keep up to date faster through social networking because not many people are using newspapers as much. There is duality when it comes to social media because of clickbait content and rapid speed of false information. It's very true in this day and age when you can't believe everything you see on the Internet. I believe technologies in the future will evolve with the use of robotics especially in the workplace, virtual reality might grow and the potential of having Internet access for all globally.

Works Cited

 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6522523&sc=emaf

https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/10/business/media/10carr.html

Blogs vs Wikis

     Blogs are websites containing a collection of posts and articles, operating as an online journal. Wikis is the assortment of web pages that can be collectively edited or created. Blogs and wikis are types of websites with text modifications, helping others navigate their findings. Blogs are more individual usage and wikis are better for collaborative projects. Convergence is very important in today's network because there are many new updates, technologies and platforms emerging. There can be a possibility where blogs and wikis can disappear, combining these two distinct technologies could potentially be the best of both worlds. Bloggers or companies can take over each others blogs and speak with different audiences in a form of collaboration. In the article "Yahoo Acquires Tumblr, Promises Not to Screw It Up," it discusses the tumblr users reactions for this announcement because when something is good it doesn't need help or change. The article says Tumblr brings millions of blog posts, and it is advantage for Yahoo to help their users find content easier. Wiki doesn't lack anything different from how it was developed and fine how it is. The article "How to Use Wikis for Business," demonstrates how useful wikis are for the business world and many companies rely on this website. Blogs and wikis are different for a reason, one is more for personal views/opinions while the other is collaborative.

Citation:

http://mashable.com/2013/05/20/yahoo-officially-acquires-tumblr-promises-not-to-screw-it-up/#KbqSbd2bpSqn/ 

http://www.informationweek.com/news/management/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=167600331 

The Influence of Social Media During a Pandemic

    I chose to explore my project on the influence of social media during a pandemic. Due to the climate in which we are living in right now, I believe its extremely important for me to analyze this topic. My project would trace back to the last few months of 2019, where coronavirus was merely mentioned and not taken seriously. From there, I would form a timeline where everything escalated in the result of lockdowns especially the lockdown in America during the month of March. My primary sources of evidence and information would come from several social media platforms like Whatsapp, Twitter and Instagram. These platforms spread information like wildfire and caused lots of misleading information which can be dangerous. Social media has caused a frenzy resulting in toilet paper fights, stimulus checks and productivity culture. I plan to present both positive and negative aspects of social medias influence throughout this crucial time in history.