My first post reflects the core reading on Hand  which started the thought  process  about the different philosophical perspectives in understanding digital cultures. One of that was the Foucalt’s panopticon described in Hand’s (2008) article. It is fascinating way of looking at and understanding the many issues surrounding data privacy, anonymity and virtual identities.

My next post was a screen capture of the wonders of twittorial.  I thought it demonstrated a very effective way to use social media in an educational context.

My third post focused on the construct of the online identity and related issue of ethics discussed by Poster (2006).   There are many questions raised but Poster has presented useful pointers for consideration of how to think about ethical considerations in the digital world.

And the final post was a link to the edcMooc sliderocket presentation on the various work already put together by the participants.  It showed the motivation and drive of some of the edcMoocers and also the strength of collective connections and leadership. I entitled this an elearning Utopia? Reflecting the great potentiality and success of such a course.

Reference:

Hand, Martin, (2008) “Hardware to everyware: Narratives of promise and threat” from Hand, Martin, Making digital cultures : access, interactivity, and authenticity    pp.15-42, Aldershot: Ashgate

Poster, Mark, (2006) “The good, the bad and the virtual” from Poster, Mark, Information please : culture and politics in the age of digital machines    pp.139-160,274-275, Durham, NC ; London: Duke University Press

Hence you can see words like dystopia and  utopia explained in the first two posts. My third post is a Wordle presentation of the notes from Hand’s Hardware to Everyware: narratives of promise and threat which provides the background to the main themes of dystopia and utopia.

The subsequent posts were a search for the meaning of culture. I made a detour and look at Fashion Digital Studio and see how the Digital Culture is impacting other industries other than education.   I also wrote a piece on personal reflection of what culture has meant to me in the past.

The film festival so far presented a gentle introduction to the themes, and Benito’s machine has provided a lot to think about: whether technology is a positive or a negative development for societies and individuals.  It also presented interesting questions about the portrayal of academic discourse in short films such as Benito’s machine.

These thoughts, emotions and questions hung in my head all week:
1.    Excitement and apprehension in building an empowering online community through blogging and twittering
2.    Having to present my thoughts in images, stories, music and different representations
3.    How to ensure this tumblog is inclusive and accessible to others who may not know much about digital cultures

I wonder if this is a common experience of an introverted individual having to create a public persona?

Reference:

Hand, M (2008) Hardware to everywhere: narratives of promise and threat, chapter 1 of Making digital cultures: access, interactivity and authenticity. Aldershot: Ashgate. pp 15-42.

Wordle_V3_hand_p123

Reference:

Hand, M (2008) Hardware to everywhere: narratives of promise and threat, chapter 1 of Making digital cultures: access, interactivity and authenticity. Aldershot: Ashgate. pp 15-42.