Reflective Evaluation

Well, the project is complete and first of all I want to say well done to the alteregos group. Our combined contributions helped to create an educational and insightful wiki, hidhlighting the diversity of online identity(s).

I don't really know what to say regarding the course unit. I understand that the internet plays a large part in society in the 'digital age', especially for the young generartion. Also, I can see how learning about its uses corrolates with our Media and culture degree. However i didn't or couldn't connect with the unit. Virtual relationships, 'communities' or social sites are just not for me. I am not a member of MySpace, Facebook, or hi5, and I am certainly not a member of second life, and right now, i have no desire to be. So, the main course subject matter didn't appeal to me and i did try. The obvious reason for my adverse attititude may be that i don't have internet access at home, but that's too easy. All of my siblings have a Myspace account, you can find them in the crowded internet shop on the corner on many a evening (thats where i am now, please save me!!:-( ). Personally, I believe the problem may lie within my 'self'. I'm not overly socialable in the 'real world', so you can imagine what an effort it would be for me to maitain an online social 'life'. I guess i'm just not ready to share my space (get it?).

I've enjoyed working in a group, but i feel that my lack of internet 'know how' has hindered my activities within the group. Once i had finished my research on online identity and got it on the wiki, i felt as though i were a spare part just hanging around waiting to be used. I'm sure Nigel looked at me a few times wondering what i was doing, well i was thinking the same thing a lot of the time. I feel a little more time could have been spent in the beginning of the class explaining how to use the wiki. I know Nigel showed us the basics expecting us to familiarise ourselves with it at home but as i said i don't have access at home so i was a little disadvantaged.

I think what facinated me the most about what i've learned about the internet is that it not only enables people to reinvent themselves, but it can enable people to be themselves. I think this unit opened my eyes to just how increasingly imortant the internet is to the daily lives of some people. Amazing really.

8th lesson: Identity

In this lesson I wrote my piece on identity online onto the wiki. Its not hard editing the wiki page but I didn't do anything to alter the asthetics. Though I did find the information interesting, I was able to breath a sigh of relief after it was up there. I may have mentioned that i'm not too computer saavy and since the whole project was based around creating a wiki site, I felt my contributions may be minimal and was worried i'd let the group down. The group seem to be pleased with my written and cenceptual contribution and so i'm satisfied. I had a look at the whole alteregos site yesterday and the progress we're making looks really good.

This week is are final week so fingers crossed.