MY REPORT # 3 OF

 Dana Pho's Report:

Acquiring Cyberspace Citizenship

 by Leena Dwiggins

 SUMMARY

     Ms. Pho's report was on her trials and tribulations in learning how to use the internet.  She creatively compares to her learning to taking a trip to a new land and after staying a while, how she become a "local" of this new land.

 DATA COLLECTION

THE MAIN POINT OF THIS SECTION

    I felt the main point of Ms. Pho was her perception of her task at hand.  She began her voyage into the world of Cyberspace with disbelief that she was about to take on such an adventure.  However, she was excited as most people are when they are about to experience something new.  Her first steps into this new land left her encouraged because she was familiar with the using of email.  However with each additional task that she was unfamiliar with, she began experiencing frustration.  She was able to continue and be motivated because of all the new things she saw and having access to information at her fingertips.   Her experience can be compared to being lost on an unfamiliar road and motivated to find your way to your destination.   She eventually started to recognize landmarks and roadways that allowed her ease in traveling in this new land.

 MY INITIAL REACTION

    I thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Pho's report.  It was well written, honest and aesthetically pleasing.  As I read each section, I was able to see that I was not alone in all the ways I felt in creating and publishing my home page and reports.  It was as if Ms. Pho was writing exactly what I went through.  Her tone was honest but most significantly supportive.  It is obvious her tenacity was balanced with her positive outlook of this challenge.

AGREE OR DISAGREE?

I agree with Ms. Pho on the following:

1.             That navigating through the world wide web could not be that difficult.  

2.             That with each completion of a task we are encouraged to continue.

3.             That there is a lot of information on the web that after hours we can feel we get no where fast.

4.             With continued exposure and "hands on" experience we are better able to deal with

                the "power" of the web.

5.             That we have to invest time to learn and acquire skills.

6.             Cyberspace offers a world like no other because everyone is equal to everyone else there.    

                "There is no color or socio-economic factors to bind us."

7.             That access to information is "endless."

    However, I would add that because there are no requirements (such as references required in writing papers) all information should not be taken as TRUTH.  The freedom of expression affords us all the ability and venue to express opinions, beliefs, values, etc. and therefore in most cases should not be confused with fact.

  HOW DOES THIS RELATE TO THIS COURSE'S TOPIC?

    Ms. Pho's report relates to this course's topic because she shares her experiences in learning the internet.  She shares her affective and cognitive view after accomplishing her task of uploading and downloading files.  This relates to the course because it is our purpose to "publish" our reports in an effort to provide information to others in similar situations.  I feel her report could have been even more complete if she shared what she did to adjust, adapt and cope with her entering this new world.  The tone of her report seem to be perseverance. :)

TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF LEARNING THE INTERNET

THE MAIN POINT OF THIS SECTION

    The main point of this section was that by investing the time to learn the web, by being adventurous, facing the challenge, and taking it on, it is inevitable for one to become a "seasoned traveler."  Ms. Pho found that she was not alone in her affective and cognitive behavior in taking on this challenge.  She presented her feedback on the reports of: Diane Beauchemin, Rebecca Ross, Lori Morita, and Shane Cobb-Adams.  In doing this she demonstrates the similar processes in which prior students underwent to become seasoned travelers of Cyberspace.

MY INITIAL REACTION

My initial reaction to this section was "connection".  I felt a bond with these prior students even though we don't personally know each other.  As I read of each person's experience I felt they are expressing my feelings in their writings.  I have learned that there are page design programs that are easier to work with than HTML.  However, I am not sure if such programs were available or used by these prior students. What is obvious is how they had all taken on the challenge and succeeded.

AGREE OR DISAGREE?

    I agree with Ms. Pho that there are many more trials than tribulations when one is first learning how to use the internet.  Furthermore the most critical factor in learning to use the internet is TIME and attitude.  This course, especially for those who have no prior experience with Cyberspace or aspects of web posting, will require a lot of time and positive attitude.  I personally feel this course tested my patience because it challenged me to do something I had never done before.  However, just as Ms. Pho's report indicates and I experienced once you see your report posted, all the time invested and frustration experienced are not so memorable.

HOW DOES THIS RELATE TO THIS COURSE'S TOPIC?

    This section relates to this course's topic because it looks at our learning and experience with the Internet.  We use cognitive, affective and sensorimotor in all situations we face. This lesson can be applied in the Psychology of driving.  We have to think about what we are feeling and doing while driving.  Both the Internet and driving require learning to acquire new skills and often start off with frustration in our attempts to remodel ourselves.

CONCLUSION: BECOMING A CITIZEN

MY INITIAL REACTION

    As with all experiences that result in learning valuable lessons, Ms. Pho triumphs by becoming a citizen of Cyberspace.  She shares her most important skill learned during her efforts in acquiring Cyberspace citizenship, that with all things changing time is required.  It was through this course that Ms. Pho was able to reflect on what makes her "tick."  As Dr. James pointed out numerous times in class, the first step to make change is to recognize (cognitive) how we feel and how we handle the situation(s). 

AGREE OR DISAGREE?

    I agree that when faced with challenges we can see what we are really made of.   As Ms. Pho wrote, "I found that when I encountered a problem that I could not easily solve I became frustrated."  However, Ms. Pho has learned to use cognitive skills to find solutions instead of dwelling in negative affective or sensorimotor behaviors. 

HOW DOES THIS RELATE TO THIS COURSE'S TOPIC?

    Ms. Pho's report relates to this course because she presents her personal experience in becoming a Cyberspace citizen.  In her capacity to see what makes her "tick" she has taken the first step towards modifying her affective and sensorimotor skills of handling situations.  It is amazing to see how our personality changes when we are in driving situations.  In these situations we can apply what Ms. Pho has learned to do.  We can think and ask ourselves what makes us do and feel what we do and what can we do about it.

EPILOGUE

    The power to make change in how we handle any challenge starts within us.  However, recognition is not enough.  When we are ready to make a change, we must first question why we feel and act the way we do when faced with things that frustrate us.  In order to make changes we must begin by modify our affective and sensorimotor behaviors.

 I am optimistic that the lessons learned in becoming well traveled in this "new" world can be easily applied in our driving world!