Networked Publics

                Last week, Lacy told us to pick one of the three subheadings “Genres of Participation,” “Networked Publics,” or “Peer Based Learning” and to read it carefully. I chose to read “Networked Publics”, because it seemed most interesting. As I read it I got the gist of it and realized that it was talking about how social networks and social interactions helped with people skills. It also talked about some other things, but I got the most from this. Ito mentioned in her writing that social media helps people with social norms. I would say that I agree with this to an extent. Sometimes what people post online are not what kids, or anybody really, should be reading or acting like. Social media’s do help us interact with people, so that could be a reason for helping with social norms.

                The writing also talked about social media’s in the workplace. Ito described how it helps with productivity because it allows workers to connect with others from all over. Ito described it as “circulation of culture and knowledge” and as “always-on” communications. Another group of people that social media’s affect are kids and teens. Parents aren’t particularly fond of this because it is “unmediated”. All-in-all, this reading helped me better understand Ito’s point of view on social media’s. Ito believes that they better our society.

String games

                On the first day of classes Lacy gave us some string. At first I thought we were just messing around, but I soon realized the point to the activity. She gave us the string and some instructions on what to do with it. We learned how to do the basics and how to make a cup and saucer. The point to the activity was that we learn that it is okay to make mistakes in this class. Making mistakes helps you as a writer to learn what works best for you. It also helps you learn which way works best for you as a learner.