Report 1

Monitoring My Information Behavior

By: Tiffany Lee

Instructions for this report are at:

www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy22/409b-g22-report1.htm

Section A – Introduction and Discussing Pre-ratings for Task 1

The first report our class will complete is geared towards utilizing and understanding some of the necessary tasks involved in modern computer usage. During this report, I will be completing a series of various tasks, such as finding research articles online, shopping for mailboxes, and ultimately creating a personal homepage that all of cyberspace can access. Through the completion of this report, I hope to sharpen my (somewhat dated) computer and internet skills.

The first task of this report involves registering online to become a lab user at the computer facility on campus. Registering will allow me access to the lab to help with the completion of this report. Although I anticipate completing the majority of my work from my home computer, having access to the computer lab will be a wonderful resource if should I need it along the way.

Based on the directions given to complete Task 1, I don’t predict any difficulty in registering to become a lab user. I have done similar tasks before and feel pretty confident that I will be able to complete the registration process successfully.

Section B – Discussing Post-ratings for Task 1

As I predicted, the lab registration process went very smoothly. While I was in the process of completing the registration form, I remember thinking how wonderfully convenient the process was. If I were trying to do something similar say, 15 years ago, I would have had to march on over to the lab in person, fill out a form, and then be granted access to the lab. That moment made me realize how often I take these modern conveniences for granted…and maybe that’s what this report is all about. J

Section C – Discussing Pre-ratings for Task 2

During the second task, I will be locating two specified journal articles from the electronic resources section of our online library system. My initial reaction to this task is feelings of intimidation. Until last semester, I had been completely clueless when it came to researching anything in our library system. Because of research projects that I have recently been involved in, I have had to slowly overcome my fear and intimidation of the library and the tasks of locating journal articles. The instructions given to complete this particular task seem very detailed, so although I don’t feel 100% confident in being able to find the articles, I hope that by following the steps carefully I will locate them with ease.

Section D - Pasting pieces of each article, summarizing in my own words, and giving my reactions

British Journal of Social Psychology; March 2004, Vol. 43 Issue 1, p99, 14p, 1

Journal Article Title:

Women's collective constructions of embodied practices through memory work: Cartesian dualism in memories of sweating and pain.

Abstract:

The research presented in this paper uses memory work as a method to explore six women's collective constructions of two embodied practices, sweating and pain. The paper identifies limitations in the ways in which social constructionist research has theorized the relationship between discourse and materiality, and it proposes an approach to the study of embodiment which enjoins, rather than bridges, the discursive and the non-discursive. The paper presents an analysis of 25 memories of sweating and pain which suggests that Cartesian dualism is central to the women's accounts of their experiences. However, such dualism does not operate as a stable organizing principle. Rather, it offers two strategies for the performance of a split between mind and body. The paper traces the ways in which dualism can be both functional and restrictive, and explores the tensions between these two forms. The paper concludes by identifiying opportunities and limitations associated with memory work as a method for studying embodiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persistent link to this record: http://search.epnet.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=pbh&an=12787719

This article describes the use of memory work to explain women’s descriptions of sweating and pain. The research done attempts to suggest that there is a clear separation or distinction between the mind and the body in women’s recollections of sweating and pain memories.

I thought this article was quite peculiar being that it was published in 2004. From my understanding, Cartesian dualism was a theory developed before more modern empirical science could give valid explanations for such phenomena. After reading the abstract, I am curious to see what kinds of empirical evidence the researchers had to explain their hypothesis.

Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, June 1990, Vol. 29 Issue 2, p277, 2p

Journal Article Title:

SWEDENBORG AND HIS INFLUENCE (Book).

Abstract:

Reviews the book "Swedenborg and his Influence," edited by Erland J. Brock.

First Paragraph:

The year 1988 marked the tricentennial of the birth of the Swedish scientist, theologian, and revelator Emanuel Swedenborg. Swedenborg and His Influence consists of 25 papers originally presented at a symposium held by the Academy of the New Church which is founded on Swedenborg's teachings. The subject matter of these papers is as varied in content as were Swedenborg's activities in life. He had a long career as a scientist and inventor who made important contributions m the mining and metallurgical industries, devised a method for navigation based on the position of the moon, made contributions to the theory that ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny in biology, founded and edited the first scientific journal in Sweden, and was undoubtedly among leading scientists in eighteenth century Europe.

Persistent link to this record:

http://search.epnet.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=pbh&an=9604085487

This article captures the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg’s 25 papers that were presented at the Academy of the New Church. The symposium, held in honor of Swedenborg, marked the tricentennial of his birth. The papers included in this publication contain various topics, from a biography of Swedenborg’s life, to his influence on literary figures of the past.

I found this article particularly interesting because the other focus of this course is centered around theories of marriage and relationships and we are currently analyzing and comparing the teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg to other marriage theories.

Section E – Discussing Post-ratings for Task 2

I was so amazed at how simple this task ended up being. I was very apprehensive at the beginning and worried that I would not be able to locate the proper articles. However, as I scrolled through the listing of the articles in the proper volume, I became ecstatic when I saw the matching numbers from the instruction sheet! After completing this task, I now feel so much more confident in my abilities to locate journal articles and look forward to utilizing the library’s online resource in the future.

Section F – Discussing Pre-ratings for Task 3

The third task I have to conquer involves using an online search to locate a mailbox that can be bought and shipped to someone who wishes to purchase one. When searching for this mailbox, I have to locate one that has as many of these specifications as possible:

(a) it should have a decoration on the outside or something painted on it (shouldn’t be just plain)

(b) it should sit on a post in the ground

(c) it should be constructed out of copper or have a copper exterior

I think that this task will be extremely fun and one that I feel comfortable and confident completing. I have previously purchased online items such as books, clocks, clothing, wine decanters, etc., and know how to navigate amongst different websites that offer good for purchase. I don’t feel any intimidation or stress going into this task and look forward to seeing what kind of mailbox I find.

Section G - Giving the URL of the mailbox, its picture, and specifications

Mailbox website: http://designer-mailbox.com/copper.htm

These mailboxes are covered with pure un-lacquered copper.  The copper is hand embossed with a design on both sides, with house number and street name (up to 18 spaces).   The copper will darken and in time develop into a patina.  The color change will vary with location.

Copper by Still River
21L x 11H x 8W

Section H – Discussing Post-ratings for Task 3

This task was definitely the most fun so far. I was surprised how long it took me to find a mailbox that met all the specifications. Most of the decorative copper mailbox images online do not show it mounted on a post. But my persistence paid off as I eventually found one that met all three criteria. Although this task was very fun, I did feel frustrated when I could not locate a mailbox meeting all three criteria. Overall, I feel pretty confident that I completed the task successfully and realize that you can find pretty much ANYTHING you want through online searches.

Section I – Discussing Pre-ratings for Task 4

Task 4 will consist of acquiring FTP software as well as creating and uploading a homepage. Out of all the tasks I have encountered so far, this one frightens me the most. After reading the instructions to complete the task, which included steps to acquire FTP software and to upload created web pages, I feel completely overwhelmed. The instructions are lengthy and contain computer terminology that I am not familiar with. The only spark of hope I have in me to complete this task successfully is knowing that the instructions given for all of the previous tasks were detailed and easy to follow. Therefore, I am going to take this task apart, one step at a time, and attempt to claim victory over this particular task.

Section J – Discussing Post-ratings for Task 4

Hooray! I did it! I got my home page created and uploaded to the server. I was extremely nervous about being able to understand the complexity surrounding creating a home page and posting it to the web. Of all the tasks, this one involved the most trial and error. I kept having to go back and forth checking to make sure all the hyperlinks worked and correcting all the errors that occurred. While I struggled to complete this task, I remained patient and kept plugging away until I finally got all the links working properly.

Section K – Discussing Pre-ratings for Task 5

The final task of this report involves finalizing the written portion of the report, saving it as a web page, uploading the completed report to my web folder, and making a final check to ensure that everything is operating correctly and that everything required is included. I am excited to finalize this report and upload it to my web page. I feel like I will have accomplished a lot once everything is finalized. I feel much more confident in my abilities to edit and upload my files with this task since having a lot of trial and error practice with the last task.

Section L - Summarizing Report 1 and what I learned by doing it

Report 1 was designed to get students consciously thinking about and monitoring our computer behaviors as well as providing the opportunity to develop skills in online research, creating and editing files, email messaging, and web design. The course of this report has been a very tedious and intense process, consisting of various computer related tasks that tested my patience as well as my current skills. I have learned through the completion of this report that many aspects of computers and the internet are not as intangible as I had previously believed. I learned that by following steps carefully, I can take a huge, seemingly impossible project and break it down into simple and manageable mini-tasks that are easy to accomplish.

Section M – Discussing Post-ratings for Task 5

I have completed the final steps of uploading my finished report to my web page and have double checked to ensure that all links are working properly and that the content appears the way it was intended to. I have learned a lot about computers and have a new understanding and appreciation for many of the aspects of the internet that I have previously taken for granted. Monitoring my behavior during this report has equipped me with newly found skills that I will continue using in the future.

My Homepage

Class Homepage