midterm reflections: google, power tools, mediums

1. After studying media for eight weeks in this class, what have you learned?
I have learned how important it is to be able to understand the difference between info-tainment and entertainment—separate the news from the “news.” The Power Tools are also extremely useful in breaking down any story a medium is telling, which aides in knowing how real/truthful the story is.


2. What is the most important thing you have learned about yourself as a critical reader, a writer, and a thinker in this class so far?
This class has definitely caused me to reconsider what I believe on television or the Internet. I have realized that my critical reading and thinking skills have improved, because I pay attention to different elements now and am able to see more clearly the messages in anything media-related. The article Is Google Making Us Stupid? caused me to notice when I’m skimming and not reading.


3. What’s one thing you would do differently this first half of the semester if you were to take this class again?
I’m not sure I would change anything about my first half of the semester. Reading the books and articles has enhanced my knowledge of the dangers of being inattentive to the effects a medium has on me.


4. What’s one thing you would like me to do differently this first half of the semester if you were to take this class again?
Maybe discuss how forms of social media help/hinder different kinds of careers…I don’t know you pretty much have it covered. The power tools, readings, and blogging all work very well.
I loved this commercial you showed in class...it's horribly sweet, yet commercialism nonetheless.


5. Please comment on the usefulness of the power tools, our quizzes, the course blog, your personal blog, our films, and our books (AMUSING, FEED, MEDIA/ SOCIETY) as learning tools.
The power tool were very, well, powerful in helping me understand the form and content of stories told by a medium, while the quizzes made sure I didn’t forget (obviously). The course blog is a nice change of pace, instead of long group discussions, which can take up time instead of moving onto new things. The personal blog has made me feel more comfortable with blogging, and I feel I will start my own finally. The films were all really interesting to apply our power tools to and the books formed concrete evidence of what we learned in class.