Thoughts and Reflections: 

As I begin my final course of the semester, I can't help but feel excited. Not only because I am nearing the finish line, but also because I get to step outside of my comfort zone and explore something new. I have always viewed social media and online communities/networks through the lens of how they benefit me personally. Now, though, I have the opportunity to explore them through the lens of an instructional designer, as well. 

Like many people my age, I had never heard of the term "Web 2.0" before this course. Even though I use social media and online platforms daily, I never really stopped to think about how they work, how they shape us as a society, or how they can be used for good. I just viewed it as a mindless tool for entertainment. However, even from just one week of reading about it, I am starting to see that Web 2.0 and social media tools are much more than that.

 Image by Bastian Riccardi via Pexels

Just a week ago, my views were mostly negative. I mostly thought about how people are addicted to their phones and the mindless scrolling of social media for a dopamine fix or as a way to escape reality. What I did not really consider, though, was how naturally humans desire connection with each other (Dennen, 2020). While connecting through a phone is not a true substitute for face-to-face interaction, it still provides people with a way to communicate, build relationships, learn  from each other, and feel a sense of connectedness.

Sources:

Dennen, V. P. (2020). A brief overview of key concepts for EME6414.