Nov 22 2010
DLG 8
Activity Theory followed Psychoanalysis and Behaviourism in the early 1900s. (See the section on resources in the WordPress site).
Bonnie Nardi on Activity Theory today, says “you are what you do”. What is your opinion regarding your activity online? Is what you do defining who you are?
Hmm I am what I do.. ok I will take it literally.
I use the computer for socializing, banking, school, MET, information, directions, entertainment
now if I were to take that to define who I am….
Socializing – I like catching up with friends, talking with them etc
banking – I make sure my finances are in order
school – I do my job to the best of my ability so I seek out new ways of teaching
MET – I think education is important
Information – I like to learn
Directions – I am directionally challenged
Entertainment – I enjoy the simple amusements in life – life isn’t worth it if you can’t enjoy it!
hmm…that seemed to do a good job describing some aspects of me. But I don’t think it reflects everything. But I see the point – actions speak loudly. They point to our motivations, what we deem important etc.
Do you agree with Turkle that there is a need for a new branch of Psychology that deals solely with computer culture? Explain.
This resulted from our discussion on putting emotions into inanimate objects…or an emotional attachment to technology:
But I had an emotional attachment to a stuffed animal? Is is different to have emotional attachments to technology as opposed to an inanimate non technological item?
If you were an instructor in an MET course, how could you facilitate ‘embodied knowing’ (Dall’Alba and Barnacle, 2005)?
Please suggest a couple of exemplary strategies and explain how those strategies can contribute to ’embodied knowing’.
Perhaps we could incorporate visualization, sensory awareness, and incorporate multimedia to help contribute to embodied knowing. Words alone do not promote embodied knowing. We need to include other forms in order to prove learning has occurred.
My Favorite Question
Do you believe that your virtual persona differs from your “real-life” persona?
I think that I am giving my true image…but a more confident one. I speak more online than I normally would in a classroom. I feel, as I am normally quiet and reflective, to be more talkative in online settings.
I wonder if it’s because I can’t see the “judging eyes on me”
🙂
I think that my virtual persona does differ from my “real-life” persona. I think I am more confident on the computer than in real life. I have always been a quiet student – I reflect and comment on what is said but usually internally. Thus, by being online, I am able to come out of my shell and voice my opinion. I am more confident and willing to comment because i feel there is less to fear. As stated in the readings and on DLG 8’s site, we feel there is less consequence (Erik Erickson) online than in person, less threat.
However, I am noticing that the digital world is having influence in my “real life” persona. I am now more confident in speaking outside the digital world. I think it is rubbing off on me! Perhaps I am having a osmosis of my virtual persona and my real-life, and I am very happy about this merge.