This may be completely irrelevant, but I have to say, I really enjoyed today’s form of class interaction. I liked that we broke off into small groups with the mission to analyze and gain a deeper understanding of one designated question. One of the most significant questions that arose during the discussion was: “What would happen if we became so dependent on a system like the Memex, and then it failed?” I think this is a concept that should be further touched upon at some point, as it fully connects to the overall notion that our society has become heavily dependent on, and influenced by computers and other technological devices.
I am sure there has come a point in each of our educational careers where our computer has failed us – whether it be a word or power-point document that was magically erased, or an important e-mail that failed to be sent or received, etc…Most of all, we have moved far past the point of only needing Microsoft Word – as many courses, and working environments rely heavily on other computer programs, from the realm of editing, to charts and grids. Have we completely moved past the point of not “needing” to own a computer? Will our dependence on computer technology only grow stronger? It seems that a majority of the ways in which we communicate, and produce complete, meaningful work is through the use of our very own computers.
i agree..as redundant as it may seem, i really like the class discussion format we have been using lately as well. i'm glad you brought it up, because it's a good point that we may be investing a lot of our time and money into programs that may or may not benefit us in the end. it's just good to keep that in mind so we don't get, as you said, too "attached to the internet"
I really enjoy the class discussion once the small groups have come back to form the large group, however the time spent in the small groups seems like a waste of time to me. If everyone does the reading, the questions raised in the small group should end up being raised by someone in the larger group. Taking that into account, I feel like she is better able to lead a discussion then the person who takes the leadership role within the small group.
I rather we have a class discussion on all the questions instead of each group basically presenting their answers to one question. I think we can find more accurate answers as a class
The "presentation" aspect, in my opinion, does not create discussion. I feel that it is hard to think outside of what people say because they focus twenty minutes on that one question alone.
When I read your question on not "needing" to own a computer, I chuckled. Pomona's Information Technology Services still has not updated their suggestion on the computer necessity.