For 17 July 2007

For next meeting we will discuss about children in cyberspace. I expect each one to be able to contribute to the discussion. Below are some guide questions which can prepare you for next week’s class.

Study Guide:

How pervasive is the internet? Provide statistics on the number of users? How does it influence (if at all) the children growing up today?

Compare the development of the internet to previous technological developments like that of the television or print? What advantages and disadvantages does it [pose to children in particular?

Do you agree to this statement: A technology is only as useful as the intentions of its users.

What processes and attributes shape the child/internet interface?

What is multitasking? Does multitasking affect the developing mind of children?

Some authors espouse that the internet blurs boundaries of other socio-cultural aspects of the internet (aside from e-commerce, of course). Expound on this.

What about the idea of the Internet being a democratizing force? Do you agree or disagree with this?

What are your thoughts on media consumption? Compare reality versus virtuality?

Do you think that this can be the next stage of evolution? Intelligent machines replacing human beings and human beings becoming more machine-like by downloading their consciousness into computers?

In some ways, the Internet mode of presentation is along the same lines as that of the television. But then again it presents some unique problems. Elaborate on this?

What is virtual reality? Do you think there will ever come a point wherein technology is perfected such that one would not be able to distinguish between virtual reality and reality?

What can you say about the concept of anonymity? Does it affect the moral sense of children?

What about intellectual development? How does the internet affect this? Some ideas and concepts related to these are digital learning, information glut, learning styles, and learning disabilities. What can you say to these?