Assignment Number One: Keep track of all internet/interface activity for one week

9/2/10

• Check my email—this is the first thing I do online each and every day. This goes hand in hand with my morning cup of coffee.

• Log into Facebook—update my status, check out what my friends are doing, check out new photos posted by friends, post photos myself, send birthday/anniversary wishes if appropriate.Comment on friends’ posts and photos if appropriate.

• Log into Yahoo Groups—I belong to 8 different groups on Yahoo

• Log into eCollege—This is where my Nursing Research class is found online

• Log into Sakai—This is where my Technology and Culture in America class is found online

• Log into Elluminate—This is where my Nursing Research class lectures are given live each week, on Thursdays at 10:15 A.M.

• Visit eBay

• Visit foxnews.com

9/3/10

• Check my email

• Visit weather.com

• Log into Facebook

• Log into Yahoo Groups

• Log into eCollege

• Log into Sakai

• Visit Girl Scouts of The Jersey Shore website

• Log into Youtube account

9/4/10

• Check my email

• Log into Facebook

• Visit weather.com

• Visit Foxnews.com

• Visit website of St. Thomas the Apostle School

• Visit website of Marlboro Middle School

• Visit website of Asher Holmes Elementary School

• Log into Yahoo Groups

• Log into eCollege

• Log into Sakai

9/5/10

• Check my email

• Visit Foxnews.com

• Log into Facebook

• Log into Yahoo Groups

• Log into Sakai

• Perform about 20 google searches for Nursing Research class

• Log into eCollege

9/6/10

• Check my email

• Log into Facebook

• Log into Yahoo Groups

• Log into Sakai

• Perform about 10 google searches for Nursing Research class

• Log into eCollege

9/7/10

• Check my email

• Log into Facebook

• Visit weather.com

• Visit Foxnews.com

• Log into Yahoo Groups

• Log into Sakai

• Log into eCollege

9/8/10

• Check my email

• Log into Facebook

• Log into Yahoo Groups

• Log into Sakai

• Perform about 10 more google searches for Nursing Research class

• Log into eCollege
  

After seeing everything written down, I realize that I visit several websites on a daily basis. It’s almost out of habit at this point. I also came to realize that I look forward to checking my email first thing in the morning, rather than checking the news or weather first. Most of the communication I receive is via email, whether it is personal, business, or school-related, so it definitely takes priority status.

Every once in awhile, I think back to what life was like growing up without the internet. How did we ever survive? Now, if my internet service goes down for a couple of hours, I’m lost. I feel out of touch and out of reach (even though I know that isn't the case). I’m glad my children don’t have to know a life without the internet. Kids today will never know what it’s like to schlep to the library with as many dimes as they can find, and spend hours photocopying dozens of pages from dozens of different reference books. I’m very grateful, but at the same time, it kind of annoys me. Since kids have no concept of a world without the web, they tend take many things in their life for granted.