Web Literacy 2, Homework Assignment Part 2

1. Why does the author, Nicholas Carr, feel like his mind is changing as a result of the Internet?
Nicholas Carr feels this way because for more than a decade now, he's been spending a lot of time online, searching and surfing and sometimes adding to the great databases of the Internet, and he eventually began noticing changes ever since he started being Internet-friendly. 

2. How does doing research today compare with doing research in a library in the old days, before the Internet? (I know you weren't around 20 years ago, but answer this based on what knowledge you have gathered about libraries in your lifetime).
Research today compares with doing research in the library 20 years ago, because the method of researching 20 years ago was limited to using books at the library. Since the Internet didn't exist back then, people were only able to research information by reading books at the library. 

3. How have Nicholas Carr's reading habits changed because of the Internet?
His reading habits have changed as a result of the Internet, because he realized he wasn't able to focus the way he used to. He used to be able to read several pages of a book, now it's harder for him to focus and he keeps acting fidgety. 

4. How is reading online different than reading a long article or book? Is there a difference? Explain.
Reading online is different than reading a long article or book, because the Internet provides specific information about a certain topic, and there are multiple sources provided online. This is different than reading a long article or book, because it is only one source and it may not have as much information as there is on the internet.

5. Do you agree or disagree that our minds think like computers? Explain.
I agree that our minds think like computers, because since almost everyone in today's society uses the Internet throughout the day, a lot of people are Internet-friendly. Our minds are shaped according to the internet, therefore thinking like computers. 

6. Do you agree or disagree that the computer "is subsuming most of our other intellectual technologies?"
I agree that the computer is subsuming most of our other intellectual technologies because the computer is the most used technology, and it is used by almost everybody in today's society.

7. Why do you think The New York Times changed its format? Do you think it was a good idea or a bad idea? Why?
I don't think it's either, because the format of The New York Times honestly doesn't make a difference. Those who previously read this newspaper will continue to read it despite the format.

8. What does Nicholas Carr mean by "knowledge work?"
Carr refers to the manipulation of abstract information and knowledge.

9. Do you agree or disagree that Google has been successful in its mission "to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful?"
I agree

10. How does Google's mission compare with a library's mission in light of the fact that there is no fiction or nonfiction section on the Internet, but there is a fiction and a nonfiction section in a library, and that all the books are organized on the shelves in a library, but "scattered on the floor" of the Internet?
Google's mission compares with a library's mission because the information that Google provides isn't presented the same way as how information is presented at the library.

11. Do you think it would be a good thing if your own brain and intelligence were "supplemented, or even replaced, by an artificial intelligence?"
No, I don't think that would be a good thing because it's not natural.

12. Do you think that the human brain is "just an outdated computer that needs a faster processor and a bigger hard drive?" Why or why not?
I do think that, because the human brain has the ability to function in a numerous amount of ways, similar to a computer.

13. What do you think about your own surfing habits, the links you click on and the pages you view, being an opportunity for "Google and other companies to collect information about you and to feed you advertisements?"
I think that generally, people take advantage of the ability to surf the internet in a numerous amount of ways. Since it's easy to navigate through a website, I tend to find myself surfing the internet without even realizing it.

14. How does the above compare to reading a book? Do you agree or disagree that companies online, collecting data about us by what we click on and view, are using subversive tactics to discourage "leisurely reading," and "slow, concentrated thought?" Are you yourself driven to distraction while on the Web? How or how not?
The above compares to reading a book because the book contains general information, and you are unable to navigate through a book like you can on the internet. I do agree with that statement, because most companies online try promoting technology instead of books. I am sometimes driven to distraction while on the Web, because there are so many things to navigate through that I find myself lacking focus on just one thing. 

15. Do you agree with Socrates that the development of writing led to people using the written word as a substitute for the knowledge they carried around in their heads? Why or why not?
I agree because since writing was developed, people stopped relying on their knowledge as much as they used to. Instead, they rely on the written word for most things.

16. Do you think the Internet is doing the same thing? Why or why not? How or how not?
I think that the internet is doing the same thing because people have the privilege of using the internet to obtain information, as opposed to just referring to prior knowledge.

17. How do your own reading habits compare to what Nicholas Carr describes in this article?
My own reading habits are similar to what Nicholas Carr described in his article, because as I got older I began using the internet more, and I also began reading less. I distanced myself from reading as a result of internet usage, also I lack focus while I'm reading now. 

18. So, do you think Google really is making us stupid? Why or why not? How or how not?
I think that in some sense, Google is making us stupid because we're not really learning new information from the internet, we're just reading it and using it for reasons such as homework assignments. The information we see online isn't benefiting us because we probably forget the information really quickly.

homework

1) If you believe that all students should be Web literate, what is the best strategy for your school to prepare you with this skill? Explain.
The best strategy for my school to prepare me for this skill, is by an increase of internet usage. In order for all students to be Web literate, everyone must frequently use the internet to improve our skills. Also, I would suggest that my school should have all of the students use a variety of different websites, and learn how to explore the internet more thoroughly. Therefore, in order for all students to be Web literate, the best strategy for my school to help prepare for this skill, is an increase of internet usage.

2) What skills should all teachers have to be Web literate? Explain.
Some skills that all teachers should have to be Web literate, is a high level of knowledge of how to use the internet properly. Teachers should have a wide span of internet usage. Also, teachers should be able to grasp the concepts of being web literate and should be able to teach students about this knowledge. An important skill that teachers should have to be web literate, is knowledgeable about the internet.

3) What role should school filtering play in your school district? Explain why schools should block or not block Web sites.
The role that school filtering should play in my school district, is only allowing access for websites that are appropriate for students to use. Also, schools should allow usage for websites that are educational. Schools should block websites that are inappropriate for students to use. If a website doesn't serve an educational purpose, then the website should be blocked.

4) Do you believe the Internet is as big a transformer of culture as the printing press? Explain.
I believe that the internet is a big transformer of culture as the printing press, because of its large role in society today. Many citizens in today's society rely heavily on the internet for a variety of reasons. These reasons include for educational purposes, work preferences, or out of choice. Because of the internet's large role in society, I believe that the Internet is as big a transformer of culture as the printing press.

5) If yes, what parts of our culture do you believe will be most affected? Explain.
The parts of culture I believe will be the most affected, are specifically teenagers. Teens rely on the internet for all sorts of reasons, and I believe specifically this part of culture is the most affected. Additionally, I believe adults are affected  by this, because adults use the internet frequently, due to work purposes. Therefore, both teens and adults are the most affected.