Learning Essay

I have learned a lot in this course.  When I signed up for this class, I was nervous about having to work so closely with technology, and became even more nervous upon seeing the class syllabus and the many required projects.  But, as I near beginning my final project, it is clear to me how much I have learned in this course.  The difference between my first and second website projects is apparent.  For the second Hypertext, I was more willing to explore with the different artistic aspects of creating a website.  I am very happy with the progress I have made, and actually look forward in working more on my final project. 

Writing a hyperessay is very different than writing a linear essay.  I found that it was easier to get my thoughts written on the hyperessay because there was less pressure on the flow of the writing.  When I converted my hyperessay into a linear version, I was surprised at how much I had written on my website.  Though it was not necessarily a more natural process, it was easier in a way, because there was less pressure on the words, and more on the exploration of a topic. 

I hope that my civic engagement project is in accordance with modern communication. Castells writes on three trends of the new communication system: global and local, increasingly inclusive and interactive, and initiation by individuals, reaching globally. I desire for my project to be local, as it addresses personal experiences, but it is also global, because I am sure that the waitress experience that I intend to explore is similar in many restaurants globally. It is also increasingly inclusive because it is global. I would like it also to be interactive, and this is currently a working goal for my hypertext. My hypertext will also meet the third criteria, as the conversation will be initiated by an individual (me), and has the potential to reach globally, as it is on the internet, and discusses a broad, relatable issue.

In composing the hypertext essay on gender in Second Life, I wrote a very exploratory essay.  I had to use my own critical thinking skills about the topic to write an effective hyperessay.  The critical thinking process can be defined as: 1) deciding what to talk about 2) making sure what we're saying is clear 3) the development of the entire thought or, in this case, the hyperessay. The whole process of the hyperessay was a process of critical thinking.  I began by creating a cohesive, clear but profound topic, narrowed these thoughts and formation of opinions, and finally developed the process as a whole, clear, significant exploration.  

I can definitely use the skills gained from this class in the future.  I feel generally comfortable in using Dreamweaver, and more comfortable now in exploring other computer programs.  Though I was nervous at first, I am very happy that I took this class, because it was completely out of element at first, but I made it my own to complete projects.  I also appreciated this class in a way that it opened my mind regarding broader issues of technology.  It is exciting to think about the innovative processes that technology has to offer, but it is important to remember that many people in the world do not even get enough food to eat each day, let alone know how to read or type on a computer.  It is frightening to think that the gap between societies, education, and classes is forever growing, and perhaps because of the progression of technology in select regions.  This process is also collaborative with respect to other students’ ideas, the professor, Second Life, Cory Doctorow, and countless others as inspiration.  My final project is also a collaborative process because it will be inspired by my experience as waitressing with other waitresses, for many different guests, and working for my boss.  It is also collaborative because I am one of many waitresses, and am affected by other waitress, and other’s research regarding the restaurant business.  In this way, critical thinking and collaboration work together in creation. 

My site comprises thirty-eight web pages, averaging about two internal links per page, plus a navigation bar of one to three standard links. It includes roughly 9,000 words of my own writing, and annotated bibliographies totalling thirteen resources.