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Looking Backwards

The structure of the class works very well in aiding my learning process. By formatting the class so that we always begin reviewing the process concepts, it allows me to consistently build on my perspective using those of my peers. I also enjoy the incorporation of technology into our academics.  Serendip usage is also very helpful in comparison to BlackBoard. It is more visually pleasing and allows us to keep track of our conversations, syllabi, and course notes.

Although we are incorporating technology into our class, it would be helpful if we as a class could brainstorm together at different stages of the semester to share our relationship with technology and ways we can write less academic papers and use different formats more.

Per our group discussions, I enjoy how we question ourselves and each other, however sometimes it feels like the discussion can get too philosophical and abstract and there was a time when I felt we sidetracked from the topic a little too much.

Individually, I have learned how to use technology more (ex: incorporating media such as youtube videos onto my blog posts). I am also learning more about the relationship between gender, information, science and technology. Since that is not direct, over the course of my learning at Bryn Mawr I have taken many gender and sexuality courses. I have been able to build upon that knowledge in this course in addition to applying it to technology. Every day I use technology different ways but I have never consistently thought about its relationship to the theme of identity and of how online we can assume different identities. I also enjoy the discussing how we learn as individuals and the impact that evolving technologies allowing us to multi-task may disrupt our critical thinking.

Collectively, we are learning about our individual and group identity through our relationship with gender, sexuality, education (through how we process information,), online virtual personalities, and through our continuously re-defining technology. Sometimes I take it for granted that communication can be a form of technology.

Looking Forwards

The edge of my learning right now is to continue questioning how information is processed. The dimension of gender, information, science and / or technology that have we not yet explored yet is perhaps the connection between mind, body, spirituality and technology. My fiancé recently purchased Gary Zukav’s book The Seat of the Soul. According to an amazon.com review “ Zukav questions the Western model of the soul, alleging that the human species is in the midst of a great transformation, evolving from a species that pursues power based upon the perceptions of the five senses--"external power"--to one that pursues power based upon perceptions of the soul--"authentic power." He believes that humans are immortal souls first, physical beings second, and that once we become conscious of this transformation--once we align our personalities with our soul--we will stimulate our spiritual growth and become better people in the process. This insightful, lucid synthesis of modern psychology and new-age principles has been described as the "physics of the soul."