Thing 12

Hmm...this was frustrating. I don't have enough html experience to understand why I could post widgets to the blog page layout as a whole but not get one to work in this individual post. I tried a variety of sites, made sure I was in "edit html" mode, but no luck. I had no trouble embedding the video...not sure exactly what happened today. If I have time, I may try again from another computer.

My reflections for Thing 12 really came out in Thing 11. I enjoy being part of Facebook but as I noted, more for the initial curiosity of "hey, what's this person up to" rather than using it as a means to really keep up a friendship. I think though that many others get more out of it. Besides the cool factor of having some sort of online presence, sites like MySpace and Facebook allow you to express your identity, and I think this is especially important for kids, especially as they're trying to figure out who they are. Practically everything you do--from the friends you have, the groups you belong to, the photos you post and the applications you add to your page--tell something about who you are or want to be. Even as an adult, I'm conscious of my choices. However, since it's online, you have more flexibility to change your self-representation. Anything posted can be deleted; modifying who you are is easier to do and, I think, defend, online than in person. Finally I think kids do get a sense of connection from online profiles. The number of friends may matter to some. Others, who are more shy in real life, may appreciate the distance "online" allows in communication. At the same time, I wonder if most of my students who have online profiles are friends online with their real-life friends or acquaintances. If so, then MySpace and Facebook are likely a supplemental aspect of the friendship.