Life on the Virtual Frontier

WELCOME to the discussion for WEEK 1. Please respond in complete sentences for each question, unless directed to do otherwise, demonstrating in your reply that you have read the material in order to receive full credit. There are three topics in Part 2 (please respond to ALL).

 Topic 1: Digital Media

This week, you watched Digital Nation: Life on the Virtual Frontier Chapter 1: Distracted by Everything and Chapter 2: What’s It Doing to Their Brains?

Discussion:
Professor Turkle believes that students are wrong to think that a “multitasking learning environment” will help them succeed as students. She believes that in order to learn certain things, we need to be still, quiet and focused on one thing at a time.
Question #1:
Do you agree with the professor’s opinion? Is it possible to learn while multi-tasking? Why or why not? NOTE: The focus here is learning and multitasking while using digital media.

 Topic 2: Digital Media’s Impact on Society

Discussion:

This week you read “Intersection of American Media and Culture“, which explained how different technological transitions have shaped media industries.

Question #1:
How has technological developments in radio, television, the Internet, OR newspaper (SELECT ONE) influenced mass communication? Support your response.

 Topic 3: Digital Future
This week you read Digital Life in 2025 by Janna Anderson and Lee Rainie.

Discussion:
Anderson and Rainie summarized 15 theses about the digital future of which eight were classified as more hopeful.
Question #1: 
Which ONE of the eight “hopeful” theses do you see as the most hopeful? Explain your choice.