MY INTERNET EXPERIENCE

MOTIVATION

At first, my motivation came from a desire to learn. I had heard so much about the internet through the media and it seemed as if everyone and everything had a website. I was absolutely clueless about the internet, never surfed before, but I realized that knowing how to surf the net would be very useful. Of course another part of my motivation was to get a good grade in the class, but after being completely lost for the first few weeks, I just wanted to make it through so that I can graduate in the near future.

CONFLICTS

I hate to admit it, but I really lost the motivation to excel in the class for several reasons. First of all I was really lost in the beginning, as were most of the students in the class. I had no idea how anything was supposed to fit together, I had a million pieces of information and I didn't know how to use them. I finally started catching on at around the time of the midterm grading, so I felt better about the class. Another factor that squelched my motivation was the computer lab, I can't stand sitting in here there's nothing else going on in here except the sound of other keyboards and arctic AC!! Another big factor was time, I was working a lot and was tired all the time, the last thing I wanted to do was sit in a boring lab!! I fooled myself into thinking that even if I worked a lot, I would still have time to keep up with school. I did have time, but with the free time I had I wanted to rest. So I fell behind and hated coming to class being behind because Dr.James just might mention something about it in class, in front of everyone which is quite embarassing!! Maybe it should've motivated me to keep up, but that doesn't work with me.

CHALLENGES

The biggest challenge was to find within myself the desire to get to the computer lab and stay there because if I could do that then I'd be OK. There were numerous occasions which I went to the lab and if I had a computer that kept messing up, I would take it as a sign from a divine power that meant I shouldn't be in the lab that day, and leave. I have always been weak in the area of self discipline, and this semester seemed to be the worst. I knew I had to do stuff for this class, but my dread of "the lab" would deter me greatly. I really think that if I had access to the net at home it would have helped a lot, then I could watch T.V., eat, have company with me and do this stuff whenever, not just when the lab is open. I really can't stand it when there's nothing going on around me.

HOW WORTHWHILE AND VALUABLE THIS WAS

I did learn a lot through this class and am grateful for it, but I could have learned a lot more if I had spent more time and am regretful of that fact. Oh well, at least now I have my foot in the door and can continue learning at my own pace, at home (I should be getting a computer any day now.YAY!!). Not only was this class valuable because it taught me about the net, but it also taught me a little more about myself. I never really had to teach myself before, and that's pretty much what you had to do in this class. I had one other computer class and was lost in the beginning like this semester, but I had a friend who helped me step by step, this semester there was no one to lead me step by step if I wanted to make it to the end of this trail, I was going to have to drag my butt all by myself. Though it was slightly painful, it wasn't as bad as I thought (though it was extremely time-consuming). Though I didn't push myself as much as I know I could've, it was the most I had in a long while. I mean I've pushed myself really hard before, but only in things that I wanted to do.

MY INVOLVEMENT AND ITS EFFECTS ON MY LIFE

I wish I had put more time into this class because I didn't get to finish everything I wanted to, there's just not enough time. Oh well, I can always continue exploring on my own. I could've gotten more out of this class which is something I regret, but I don't regret taking this class. A lot of knowledge was gained and I'm sure that this is one of the most useful classes I've taken in my long career at the University. To me, research projects were absolutely horrible and I don't think I'll ever like them, but if I could've searched for info. on the net, research projects wouldn't have been that bad!!! Aside from word processesing and spread sheet programs, computers were of no importance to me, they were completely boring!! After taking this class however, I can actually perceive a computer as something which may be used for other purposes, such as entertainment. Overall, this class has helped to push me past my aversion to computers and into the "now" which I'm very grateful for.