Self.Net Reflective Post

The use of Weblogs in this coarse was highly beneficial and practical way of understanding online communication. From some one who did not know what Weblogs were before this course, I feel that I have learnt a completely new mode of communication and gained practical skills in computer mediated communication. I found weblogs were a good way to express views and opinions towards topics and issues raised by other people. What I liked best about the use of weblogs in this course was that it enabled everyone to have a say. Sometimes in Tutorials or workshops, people may not have the opportunity to express complete, in depth ideas and arguments due to the time constraint of 45 min. Weblogs however, provide a chance for people to take their time to either raise issues or ideas, or respond to information in their own time. I learnt a lot about the unit and its core topics through reading the boggs of other people. This helped to construct my own ideas and understanding of the overall unit.

Do I believe myself to be a cyborg? Well since I was oblivious to what a cyborg actually was before this unit, through the lectures, workshops and readings (especially Haraway) I do see my self as a cyborg to an extent. Today, technological developments and engagement with new forms of communication especially that of the electronic web makes it hard not to believe that we are cyborgs as the boundary between human and machines slowly intertwine. The fact that I wear contact lenses and glasses, and feel naked without my mobile phone positions me to believe myself to be a cyborg.

Overall, the course was productive and I learnt a lot about digital technologies and how they are related to issues of identity and embodiment. I found the workshops the best aspect of this unit, as they were a practical way of understanding how identity and embodiment is related to computer-mediated communication. Thanks Tama :)