My original thought about a place to focus on for wikitravel was Coventry, Rhode Island...it is my hometown afterall. I have lived in the same town, in the same house for the 20 long years of my life. I know a lot about the town including the cheapest gas stations, the places to go for sightseeing, and pretty much just basic history that someone might want to know when researching my town. I thought that this would be a good place for wikitravel specifically because there is very little information about Coventry on wikipedia...I have to say, I was a little offended...I mean, who wouldn't want to search for Coventry and learn all about?!
Then, as a class we came up with this brilliant idea to tackle the town of Kingston, the home of our beloved university. I actually think that this is a really good idea. We all have our own specific knowledge about random things on campus that would all come together and form a great wikipedia page.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Wikipedia
Ok, let me just put it this way...WHAT THE HELL IS A WIKI?
...well prior to looking at the video and going through websites about it, I really had no clue. Teachers and friends have used the term so often, but of course I have never really taken the time to look it up. I have used wikipedia in the past, but I usually try to stay away from it. I mean, we have all heard our teachers saying..."Use something other than wikipedia, something credible." So this obviously makes us think that everything on this site is a load of crap...that we can't believe anything that is written on the site. But now I know the real truth behind it.
Even though volunteers are the ones who put up the information, it is still based on factual and researched information. I guess I am still skeptical about using the information on the website. Specifically because I have been forewarned so many times in the past about using it.
I think that by watching the video on youtube, the founder of wikipedia talked in a way that made the website seem alot more credible and useful. He presented the facts and information up front and very professionally. I guess we rely on people like him to give us the green light to continue using sites like wikipedia to get information for our school research papers and projects. It would be a joke to say that I would use wikipedia to find information on how to save the world and how to cure rare diseases...BUT for other less important information, I think it is safe to say that I'll be visiting wikipedia more often.
I think that similar to a blog, wiki posts are open to anyone to share their expertise. However, when reading through wikipedia, specifically wikitravel, I noticed that they make it a point to tell you not to put stories and personal experiences as a source of information. They want concrete facts to make it easier for people to navigate through the page. This is very unlike blogs, or atleast from what I have noticed about blogs so far. I think blogs are meant for you to share what you know about something, but this can be done by using stories and experiences. Similar to my enthusiast blog, I am using my personal experiences with autistic children to present people with information and help them to learn something new.
When it comes to writing in electronic environments,wikipedia is a way for users to access various types of information quickly. I also feel that users from all parts of the world are able to contribute their ideas and what they know about particular topics.
...well prior to looking at the video and going through websites about it, I really had no clue. Teachers and friends have used the term so often, but of course I have never really taken the time to look it up. I have used wikipedia in the past, but I usually try to stay away from it. I mean, we have all heard our teachers saying..."Use something other than wikipedia, something credible." So this obviously makes us think that everything on this site is a load of crap...that we can't believe anything that is written on the site. But now I know the real truth behind it.
Even though volunteers are the ones who put up the information, it is still based on factual and researched information. I guess I am still skeptical about using the information on the website. Specifically because I have been forewarned so many times in the past about using it.
I think that by watching the video on youtube, the founder of wikipedia talked in a way that made the website seem alot more credible and useful. He presented the facts and information up front and very professionally. I guess we rely on people like him to give us the green light to continue using sites like wikipedia to get information for our school research papers and projects. It would be a joke to say that I would use wikipedia to find information on how to save the world and how to cure rare diseases...BUT for other less important information, I think it is safe to say that I'll be visiting wikipedia more often.
I think that similar to a blog, wiki posts are open to anyone to share their expertise. However, when reading through wikipedia, specifically wikitravel, I noticed that they make it a point to tell you not to put stories and personal experiences as a source of information. They want concrete facts to make it easier for people to navigate through the page. This is very unlike blogs, or atleast from what I have noticed about blogs so far. I think blogs are meant for you to share what you know about something, but this can be done by using stories and experiences. Similar to my enthusiast blog, I am using my personal experiences with autistic children to present people with information and help them to learn something new.
When it comes to writing in electronic environments,wikipedia is a way for users to access various types of information quickly. I also feel that users from all parts of the world are able to contribute their ideas and what they know about particular topics.
Autism
Being so passionate about autism and working so closely with those affected by autism, I was able to make my enthusiast blog with ease. I can honestly say that prior to working for my company, I had the same stereotypes about autism that most people today have. I didn't know the issues. I had a complete change of attitude when I realized how truly amazing and wonderful the kids are. I think that people can consider me a credible source on this topic because I have had that first hand experience...I work with the children one on one in their homes. This allows me the opportunity to witness the kids and families in their everyday lives. I see how tough it can be on the parents, but also how loving and supportive the environment is. I think that witnessing this each day, gives me the authority to speak on the topic. Also, because I became so passionate about the autism through my work, I have done pretty extensive research on autism in general, and others people's views on it.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Information Architecture
I'd have to say this article brought about a philosophical side to myself. It makes you think about your ignorance in a different way. I have actually always considered myself to be pretty ignorant when it comes to what is going on around me. I have never been one to understand politics and other world issues. I think this lack of understanding mostly comes from the fact that I lack the desire to explore outside of my comfort zone. I know what I know, and that's where my knowledge ends.
I really enjoyed that this reading makes you take a step back and look at yourself. I related this article to all of my classes and how most students, including myself, are fearful to raise their hands and give a wrong answer. We have this notion in our minds that it is wrong to not know something. Where did this idea come from?
I think that similar to what Wurman said, I should use the fact that I know nothing,in order to push myself into a less ignorant state. Wurman also stated that a "prerequisite to understanding is to be able to admit when you don't understand something." She says that by doing this you will be able to relax more and feel liberated. With most things in life, you need to feel comfortable in your environment in order to truly take in new information. Being in the right frame of mind allows you to listen to the things that you already know, while also processing new information. I also think that being able to use your previous experiences to add to your new knowledge and others' knowledge is an important part of learning.
I really enjoyed that this reading makes you take a step back and look at yourself. I related this article to all of my classes and how most students, including myself, are fearful to raise their hands and give a wrong answer. We have this notion in our minds that it is wrong to not know something. Where did this idea come from?
I think that similar to what Wurman said, I should use the fact that I know nothing,in order to push myself into a less ignorant state. Wurman also stated that a "prerequisite to understanding is to be able to admit when you don't understand something." She says that by doing this you will be able to relax more and feel liberated. With most things in life, you need to feel comfortable in your environment in order to truly take in new information. Being in the right frame of mind allows you to listen to the things that you already know, while also processing new information. I also think that being able to use your previous experiences to add to your new knowledge and others' knowledge is an important part of learning.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Enthusiast
I had trouble trying to think of what to do my blog on because I didn't want to do anything ordinary. Typically I like to write in a satirical fashion; I like to poke fun at anything just to raise questions. However, I know that people are easily offended when you make jokes about something that is extremely important to them. As a way to avoid getting anyone upset, my original idea to joke about things that are going on in the world and in the popular media came to a crashing halt.
So where to go from here?
Well, as much as I don't like to admit it, I really am passionate about very little in life. However, the one thing that I can say I have become passionate for in the past year is autism. About a year ago I began working for a large organization that aids children and adults with developmental disabilities. I specifically work with young children in an early intervention therapy program. I think that my blog will be centered around this...possibly as a way to inform people about the issues surrounding autism, but also as a way to write down some of my experiences that I have had working with these amazing kids.
I think that the audience to a blog like this would be anyone who has had first hand experience with dealing with autism...maybe a child, a sibling,etc. However, I would really like to create a blog to capture a different audience of those who should become aware of the issues, so they can open their eyes to something new.
So where to go from here?
Well, as much as I don't like to admit it, I really am passionate about very little in life. However, the one thing that I can say I have become passionate for in the past year is autism. About a year ago I began working for a large organization that aids children and adults with developmental disabilities. I specifically work with young children in an early intervention therapy program. I think that my blog will be centered around this...possibly as a way to inform people about the issues surrounding autism, but also as a way to write down some of my experiences that I have had working with these amazing kids.
I think that the audience to a blog like this would be anyone who has had first hand experience with dealing with autism...maybe a child, a sibling,etc. However, I would really like to create a blog to capture a different audience of those who should become aware of the issues, so they can open their eyes to something new.
Stefanac
I think all of us have something in us that we are completely passionate about, but it becomes almost a project to convince others of this passion. "Obsessions can be lonely. Finding like-minded souls who share and fuel our passions has always been a challenge." I think that Stefanac brings to life the very idea that all of us long to find others that truly understand why even the most mundane topics are important to us. I'd like to believe that my blog will bring people that share my beliefs together, but who's to say that there aren't already millions of people out there trying to do this very thing. What makes mine stand out?
Stefanac's tips for soon-to-be enthusiast bloggers helped me to realize exactly how I can find that individuality in my blog, while also attracting people just like me. The concept of finding individuality with similar people almost seems like an oxymoron, but it actually seems to make sense. It's our individuality that makes people find that common interest.
Especially in today's world it is easy to focus all of our attention on money, but money cannot fuel passion. Having a genuine interest in something is the only way to draw people in. I believe that passion leads to shared experiences. I also think that Stefanac's idea of being conversational is pretty essential to a successful blog. I can think back to so many times, whether it be in school, work, or everyday occasions, where I was forced to read something extremely formal. It was writing that could not grab my attention because it didn't have that human voice behind it that I could relate to.
I really hope that my blog can find some sort of personality, which Stefanac says is the most important part of a blog. I think we all have amazing thoughts, but who will truly see this without a sense of life within the writing. Even if you are not blogging, I think that in all forms of writing it is so important to write in a way that allows readers to put themselves in your shoes and completely indulge themselves into your story.
Stefanac's tips for soon-to-be enthusiast bloggers helped me to realize exactly how I can find that individuality in my blog, while also attracting people just like me. The concept of finding individuality with similar people almost seems like an oxymoron, but it actually seems to make sense. It's our individuality that makes people find that common interest.
Especially in today's world it is easy to focus all of our attention on money, but money cannot fuel passion. Having a genuine interest in something is the only way to draw people in. I believe that passion leads to shared experiences. I also think that Stefanac's idea of being conversational is pretty essential to a successful blog. I can think back to so many times, whether it be in school, work, or everyday occasions, where I was forced to read something extremely formal. It was writing that could not grab my attention because it didn't have that human voice behind it that I could relate to.
I really hope that my blog can find some sort of personality, which Stefanac says is the most important part of a blog. I think we all have amazing thoughts, but who will truly see this without a sense of life within the writing. Even if you are not blogging, I think that in all forms of writing it is so important to write in a way that allows readers to put themselves in your shoes and completely indulge themselves into your story.
Blood
I guess I am not really up on the technical world when it comes to the internet. I have never taken the time to truly discover and submerge myself into the online world. I have had some preconceived notions about blogging. Previously, I guess you could say I was a little ignorant because I judged without actually knowing. I have never really thought there was an actual point to blogging besides having a place to put your thoughts and hoping that you would be interesting enough for someone to read. Maybe I never tried because I'm afraid what I'd have to say wouldn't be worth a reader's while. Up until my classes this semester, I never had any specific experiences or encounters with the blogging world.
However, after reading what Rebecca Blood had to say, I can clearly see how blogging can change the way people interact. There is always this ongoing debate about whether or not technology and the media change the way we are able to communicate with others. I agree with Blood when she says that with the increasing amount of information we are bombarded with each day, we forget that we also need time to self reflect and find ways of self-expression. We need to find a balance between the harsh censorship laws that are occurring in all of our media streams and knowing how much information readers want you to disclose.
I think similar to a diary, blogging can allow a person to express how they feel at a particular point in time. It allows for people with similar interests to come together and form common bonds. Like Blood stated, blogs can change the character of a writer and a reader. When you write something, you have the ability to make a reader experience and feel whatever you want them to. You can change attitudes, beliefs, and the simple mood of a reader by the words you place within the blog. I think this makes for an interesting concept.
Rebecca Blood believes that blogging can be an antidote to our media infested lives. I think this form of expression can in fact cure our gossip boggled minds.
However, after reading what Rebecca Blood had to say, I can clearly see how blogging can change the way people interact. There is always this ongoing debate about whether or not technology and the media change the way we are able to communicate with others. I agree with Blood when she says that with the increasing amount of information we are bombarded with each day, we forget that we also need time to self reflect and find ways of self-expression. We need to find a balance between the harsh censorship laws that are occurring in all of our media streams and knowing how much information readers want you to disclose.
I think similar to a diary, blogging can allow a person to express how they feel at a particular point in time. It allows for people with similar interests to come together and form common bonds. Like Blood stated, blogs can change the character of a writer and a reader. When you write something, you have the ability to make a reader experience and feel whatever you want them to. You can change attitudes, beliefs, and the simple mood of a reader by the words you place within the blog. I think this makes for an interesting concept.
Rebecca Blood believes that blogging can be an antidote to our media infested lives. I think this form of expression can in fact cure our gossip boggled minds.
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