Blog #2 BVC

Well, here I am again (behind). I swear I will get the hang of these due dates! Now, if I can figure out how to respond!

Chapter 9

In this chapter, the author has discussed various aspects of the emergence of "wired self-help" (pg. 264). They discussed this through the theoretical concept of reflexive modernization. These theories help to explain social change in terms of current views. With a background of sociology (and psychology), I found this interesting. The computer (and Internet) have gone through a lot of changes in past times. Although now the Internet is heavily populated with just about anything you can think of (and some you don't want to), I think it is always evolving in generally a positive way. It is now almost an automatic response for many people to "google it" when needing to know something, or wanting to learning about some malady, etc. I don't even use a traditional phone book anymore. Likewise, many other routine tasks are also performed in this manner (banking, bill paying, shopping, etc.).

In addition to all of these routine tasks, one can also find as much self-help as one could seek. Recently, my husband and I discovered that our eight-year old dog has "gone" blind. We wondered what could have caused this, and what steps should we take, where should we go, etc. A few minutes later, we were slogging through a mountain of information. Although, we're still not certain what her particular condition is, we now have some good basic ideas of what could possibly be root causes, possible diseases, what steps we should now take, etc. This is very important because now we are possibly armed with some information (ammo, if you will) before we go to the vet. This could help in narrowing down the process and perhaps also help escape unnecessary testing and medication costs some vets push. Much of this information can help initially guide people in the direction they should go.

I think all of this information seeking can be very helpful when researched and analyzed carefully and discriminately. When seeking such information and knowledge construction, however, one has to be careful to consider the sources and weigh all the information as best they can. Multiple opinions are helpful. The down side is that anyone can post or write a web page so it is very important to weigh opinions/information carefully. I think it is also important to use the information as a spring board to then actually going out and getting the right treatment, materials, etc., to carrying out whatever it was you were seeking.

This chapter also mentioned the danger that the Internet may be forcing a more passive experience. They proposed that perhaps individuals could become consumers rather than producers. Personally, I don't think we really need the Internet for that effect. Media, in general, has been taking that role for years now. Television has always been accused of this effect, and I believe that if it is one's nature to passively engage in any form of media or technology, then it may be the pattern of the individual and not the nature of the technology. Hopefully, technological advances will equip all of us for betting understanding and allow us to take strategic advantage of engagement, whether virtually or in reality.

Chapter 10

In Chapter 10, the authors discussed the understanding of life cycles of virtual learning communities. I found this chapter interesting because I think (being a psych person) the life cycle of anything is interesting. With anything, we see birth, growth, maturation, decline and loss of functioning. One can see this with corporations, even fast-food chains. Businesses and advertising spend many resources on studying this phenomenon.

This is also true of online learning communities. In the past years, we have witnessed an explosion of this type of learning (birth), growth and maturation. There are quite a few that have also experienced a loss of functioning. What happens to these communities? I think that just like any life cycle (especially human) that has undergone a loss in functioning, it lies in the lack of proper support or the intervention of some traumatic external factor(s). Therefore, I think it is of utmost importance to structure the kinds of support that encourages routine functioning and also supports future growth. However, as straightforward as this may sound, I think we as humans have always had some difficulty in controlling these factors as a society in general and as individuals. However, knowledge about these life cycles in and of itself can help understanding, growth and learning overall.