wesleyp's blog

Voice Thread Debate: Is Google Making Us Stupid? Final Thoughts

(A) Current views (as a result of researching and listening to arguments on both sides) on the real effects on Web use on thinking and learning.

After researching and refuting this topic for a week, I am not any closer to taking one side or the other. While I do believe that the internet is an absolutely powerful resource, I do find it equally distracting. While clearly the internet has positive effects on our brains and the availability of  information, I think we also have access to just as much counter-productive material. I have yet to sit down at the computer with the intention of completing my homework and not wandering off to check my fantasy football team or reply to some emails. I wouldn’t say that Google is making us “stupid,” but it is most definitely challenging our self discipline.

(B) potential strategies for learning designers to use to ensure that the products they create are truly beneficial for the learners who use them.

I think that the most important aspect of creating truly beneficial products for learners is to keep them motivated and engaged. Keeping learners engaged does not just have one solution, but I think that providing a handful of proven resources would be beneficial for getting them started, then encouraging them to analyze the “quality” materials before moving on and searching for additional resources on their own. This allows them to see examples of what to look for before going out on their own. I know that when I was first told to write a lit review, I had no idea where to start. Once I was given theses and example resources, I knew what to look for and how to move on independently researching my own topic.

Please also share some reflections on what it was like to try to collaborate with teammates online, your role in your team’s efforts, and any ideas or suggestions you have for making this project even better for future students.

First and foremost, I think that there needs to be more time (at least 2+ days)  between rebuttals. Coordinating schedules for 6 people who all have different classes, jobs and obligations was nearly impossible. Our group worked best divided into “sub-groups.” For the initial post, I helped organize research. This was surprisingly difficult without synchronous communication with the group member who found the resources because it was difficult to follow their train of thought. On the refute, I did research and helped organize the information for the voice thread. This was painful because in order for Rachel to have the most time for recording, I worked from 12am to about 3am Monday night.

I liked the article, and there was a lot of good information available. There were many avenues that both my team and the opposing team could have taken their arguments, so the final result was interesting.

One final suggestion for the future of this assignment, I would encourage adding more points. There were A LOT of hours put into this project between our team members (some more than others), but I would like to see more of a reward for the hard work. Maybe change the points available from 25 to 50?

This week was hands down the busiest since starting grad school. From my 6750 midterm to the 5660 presentation in Elluminate on JSB,  to leading two demonstrations on iMovie in VCT1030, I was really looking forward to this opportunity to sit back and reflect on my accomplishments. Classes are moving fast, but I feel like I am also absorbing more information than I ever did in undergrad. I think that I am finally learning about topics that I have a strong interest in. I knew how to make web sites before I started the VCT program, so I probably didn’t “learn” as much new information as my peers in school. I had to read and research a lot on my own outside of the classroom to advance my skill set. I feel like I am finally learning in class again, and I enjoy learning from my peers and pushing my limits.