- John. C. Maxwell
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Be Glad & Live In Joy
Psalm 69:32
The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God's help live in joy.
Watching God carry out his will makes me glad. I know when God is at work good things will happen. He only wants the best for His children and He would do nothing to harm them.
When I seek God's help the Bible tells me I will live in joy. So often I try and live life in my own strength, which stresses me out and leaves me feeling incapable and without value. God never intended me to do life on my own, but to walk with him in everything I do and live in joy.
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are the King of all Kings and I come to you this morning because I know I need you in my life. I cannot do it in my own strength... I need you to help me in my struggles. You are faithful even when I am not. I ask forgiveness for my sins and I pray you would help me to walk in righteousness and purity. You have done great things in my life and I thank you for this. You give me joy and gladness Lord. All glory goes to you!
In Jesus Name,
Amen.
The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God's help live in joy.
Watching God carry out his will makes me glad. I know when God is at work good things will happen. He only wants the best for His children and He would do nothing to harm them.
When I seek God's help the Bible tells me I will live in joy. So often I try and live life in my own strength, which stresses me out and leaves me feeling incapable and without value. God never intended me to do life on my own, but to walk with him in everything I do and live in joy.
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are the King of all Kings and I come to you this morning because I know I need you in my life. I cannot do it in my own strength... I need you to help me in my struggles. You are faithful even when I am not. I ask forgiveness for my sins and I pray you would help me to walk in righteousness and purity. You have done great things in my life and I thank you for this. You give me joy and gladness Lord. All glory goes to you!
In Jesus Name,
Amen.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Peace & Strength For The Church
Acts 9:31
The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it grew in strength and numbers. The believers were walking in the fear of Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
I am part of God's church here on earth. If God grants his church peace and he wants them to live in peace of mind than I need to receive that and stop stressing and worrying.
God's love conquers all things and nothing can hold his church back. In this passage, the church is described as growing in strength and numbers. This is a sign of a healthy church and as a christian I need to be in a healthy church. As this scripture points out, I also need to walk in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank you that you're in control and you reign in heaven. I know I am planted in a healthy church and you have blessed me with a positive environment that I can grow in as a believer. Help me, Lord, to walk in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of your Spirit. All glory to U!
In Jesus Name, Amen.
The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it grew in strength and numbers. The believers were walking in the fear of Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
I am part of God's church here on earth. If God grants his church peace and he wants them to live in peace of mind than I need to receive that and stop stressing and worrying.
God's love conquers all things and nothing can hold his church back. In this passage, the church is described as growing in strength and numbers. This is a sign of a healthy church and as a christian I need to be in a healthy church. As this scripture points out, I also need to walk in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank you that you're in control and you reign in heaven. I know I am planted in a healthy church and you have blessed me with a positive environment that I can grow in as a believer. Help me, Lord, to walk in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of your Spirit. All glory to U!
In Jesus Name, Amen.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Living with a Heart of Praise and Thanks
Ezra 3:11 -
With praise and thanks, they sang this song to the Lord: "He is so good! His faithful love for Israel endures forever!"
When I sing a song to the Lord, I don't want to just sing for the sake of it - I want to sing with a heart of praise and thanks toward Jesus; totally focused on him. This takes discipline in my mind to focus my thoughts on the love he has for me. God doesn't just love me - He is love - He can't help but love me. When I truly grasp, if it is even possible, the extent of God's love for me, all of humanity and his creation, I won't be able to keep from singing songs to him with a heart of praise and thanks.
Dear Heavenly Father,
You alone are worthy of my praise. Teach me Lord to sing to you with a heart of praise and thanks. Help me to be disciplined in my mind and focus my thoughts on your love. Your love is awesome and has transformed my life. I am not ashamed of You Lord,
In JNA.
With praise and thanks, they sang this song to the Lord: "He is so good! His faithful love for Israel endures forever!"
When I sing a song to the Lord, I don't want to just sing for the sake of it - I want to sing with a heart of praise and thanks toward Jesus; totally focused on him. This takes discipline in my mind to focus my thoughts on the love he has for me. God doesn't just love me - He is love - He can't help but love me. When I truly grasp, if it is even possible, the extent of God's love for me, all of humanity and his creation, I won't be able to keep from singing songs to him with a heart of praise and thanks.
Dear Heavenly Father,
You alone are worthy of my praise. Teach me Lord to sing to you with a heart of praise and thanks. Help me to be disciplined in my mind and focus my thoughts on your love. Your love is awesome and has transformed my life. I am not ashamed of You Lord,
In JNA.
Friday, February 19, 2010
No Matter What You Do
Luke 7:33-34 -
For John the baptist didn't drink wine and he often fasted, and you say, 'He's demon possessed'. And I, the Son of Man, feast and drink, and you say, 'He's a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of the worst sort of sinners!'
But wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it...
What fruit are they producing?
No matter what I do people are going to criticize and cast judgment... Though my life is not about their opinion - My life is about the kind of fruit I am producing and what legacy I leave behind. People will remember you for good or bad - when others think of you, do you want them to feel valued and encouraged or worthless and downcast. What impact are you leaving on those around you?
Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank you for your blessing on my life. You are a great God. Help me not to live by the opinion of those around me, but rather by your word. Help me to not cast judgment, but to build up and encourage those around me. For your glory,
In JNA.
For John the baptist didn't drink wine and he often fasted, and you say, 'He's demon possessed'. And I, the Son of Man, feast and drink, and you say, 'He's a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of the worst sort of sinners!'
But wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it...
What fruit are they producing?
No matter what I do people are going to criticize and cast judgment... Though my life is not about their opinion - My life is about the kind of fruit I am producing and what legacy I leave behind. People will remember you for good or bad - when others think of you, do you want them to feel valued and encouraged or worthless and downcast. What impact are you leaving on those around you?
Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank you for your blessing on my life. You are a great God. Help me not to live by the opinion of those around me, but rather by your word. Help me to not cast judgment, but to build up and encourage those around me. For your glory,
In JNA.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Receiving Peace
Psalm 85:8 -
I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying for he speaks peace to his people, his faithful ones. But let them not return to their foolish ways.
To receive peace each day I must listen carefully to what God is saying because his word brings peace. The scripture says he speaks peace to his faithful ones. When I am faithful to come before God everyday - He is faithful to meet me where I'm at and speak peace into my situation. When God speaks things happen - He spoke the universe into existence. Who better to listen to than the creator of all things and the speaker of peace.
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are great and mighty. You spoke the whole universe into existence and you are my creator. May I faithfully come before you each day to hear you speak your words of peace so I may experience the fullness of life you have promised me. May I not return to foolish ways, but continue growing in my faith and maturing as a disciple. For Your Glory Lord,
In JNA.
I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying for he speaks peace to his people, his faithful ones. But let them not return to their foolish ways.
To receive peace each day I must listen carefully to what God is saying because his word brings peace. The scripture says he speaks peace to his faithful ones. When I am faithful to come before God everyday - He is faithful to meet me where I'm at and speak peace into my situation. When God speaks things happen - He spoke the universe into existence. Who better to listen to than the creator of all things and the speaker of peace.
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are great and mighty. You spoke the whole universe into existence and you are my creator. May I faithfully come before you each day to hear you speak your words of peace so I may experience the fullness of life you have promised me. May I not return to foolish ways, but continue growing in my faith and maturing as a disciple. For Your Glory Lord,
In JNA.
Happy Are Those
Psalm 84:4 -
How happy are those who can live in your house, always singing your praises.
When I am constantly focused on God and not on myself, my life is so much better. I can focus on God by singing his praises and lifting him higher. God inhabits the praises of his people - so if I really want God in my life all the time, I should be praising him with each breath. I want to live in God's house because his presence is like nothing else. People do all sorts of things just to replicate God's presence, but there is no substitute.
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are awesome, I thank you that you set me apart before I was born. I have a hope and a future in you Lord. I thank you that you've called me to do great things for your glory. May I not miss the mark, but always be focused on you - singing your praises with each breath. There is no one like you Lord, thank you for your unfailing love.
In JNA.
How happy are those who can live in your house, always singing your praises.
When I am constantly focused on God and not on myself, my life is so much better. I can focus on God by singing his praises and lifting him higher. God inhabits the praises of his people - so if I really want God in my life all the time, I should be praising him with each breath. I want to live in God's house because his presence is like nothing else. People do all sorts of things just to replicate God's presence, but there is no substitute.
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are awesome, I thank you that you set me apart before I was born. I have a hope and a future in you Lord. I thank you that you've called me to do great things for your glory. May I not miss the mark, but always be focused on you - singing your praises with each breath. There is no one like you Lord, thank you for your unfailing love.
In JNA.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Don't Be Swayed in your Faith
Ezra 1:2 -
This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build him a Temple at Jerusalem in the land of Judah.
When God calls you to do something - you need to stand strong in your faith. Don't be swayed by the opinion of man, but listen to God and follow his will for your life. He has a plan and a purpose for your life and desires to spread his love throughout this increasingly dark world.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank you for your love, which heals my brokenness. You have called me to do great things for you, I know. Help me to not be swayed in my faith, but stand strong upon your Word, Lord. You have given me everything I need and I thank you for your grace in my life. All praise to you Lord! For your glory,
In JNA.
This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build him a Temple at Jerusalem in the land of Judah.
When God calls you to do something - you need to stand strong in your faith. Don't be swayed by the opinion of man, but listen to God and follow his will for your life. He has a plan and a purpose for your life and desires to spread his love throughout this increasingly dark world.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank you for your love, which heals my brokenness. You have called me to do great things for you, I know. Help me to not be swayed in my faith, but stand strong upon your Word, Lord. You have given me everything I need and I thank you for your grace in my life. All praise to you Lord! For your glory,
In JNA.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Stop Picking on your Friends
Luke 6:41 -
And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own?
Just because someone isn't doing something exactly the way you do it doesn't mean you can tell them how to do it. What makes your way right anyway? You've probably got a log in your eye that you can't see past as the scripture points out. Don't be too quick to jump to conclusions and think you know everything. You don't know much... Only God knows everything and we need to put all of our trust in him.
Dear Heavenly Father,
You alone know all things - you know when someone is doing the wrong thing. Help me, Lord, not to think that I am this world's solution. May I be someone who can point people to this world's solution... Your Son, Jesus Christ. I thank you that you're an awesome God and you have great things planned. For your glory,
In JNA.
And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own?
Just because someone isn't doing something exactly the way you do it doesn't mean you can tell them how to do it. What makes your way right anyway? You've probably got a log in your eye that you can't see past as the scripture points out. Don't be too quick to jump to conclusions and think you know everything. You don't know much... Only God knows everything and we need to put all of our trust in him.
Dear Heavenly Father,
You alone know all things - you know when someone is doing the wrong thing. Help me, Lord, not to think that I am this world's solution. May I be someone who can point people to this world's solution... Your Son, Jesus Christ. I thank you that you're an awesome God and you have great things planned. For your glory,
In JNA.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Rescued
Daniel 12:1c -
But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued.
To be rescued means that something has to be going wrong for you to be rescued from. A lot of people don't realise they need to be rescued - they think life is sweet and that everything will be aok. The truth is we all need rescuing by our saviour. His name is Jesus Christ and He took the greatest stand of love for you and me. He died so that we may live. To have your name written in the lambs book of life means that you have acknowledged your need for a savior and have accepted Jesus Christ into your heart.
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are the greatest. Thank you for your display of love that is the Cross of your Son and my saviour the Lord Jesus Christ. You are an awesome God and I pray you would show me how to live my life and be the man you have called me to be. May I see souls won for you Lord.
In JNA.
But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued.
To be rescued means that something has to be going wrong for you to be rescued from. A lot of people don't realise they need to be rescued - they think life is sweet and that everything will be aok. The truth is we all need rescuing by our saviour. His name is Jesus Christ and He took the greatest stand of love for you and me. He died so that we may live. To have your name written in the lambs book of life means that you have acknowledged your need for a savior and have accepted Jesus Christ into your heart.
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are the greatest. Thank you for your display of love that is the Cross of your Son and my saviour the Lord Jesus Christ. You are an awesome God and I pray you would show me how to live my life and be the man you have called me to be. May I see souls won for you Lord.
In JNA.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Knowing God
Daniel 11:32b -
But the people who know their God will be strong and will resist him.
Facing temptation can be hard, but when you know who your God is - you are able to be strong and resist evil. God has called us to do good things. The enemy will do everything he can to stop you - but he can't do anything when you know who your God is and you know who you are in God. Nothing can hold you back. God's love is unfailing and his grace is sufficient. Even when we stuff up, God takes us back and is willing to show us how to do it right. With Jesus all things are possible.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank you that you reign over my life and that you are looking out for me. I know your love is unfailing and I pray you would help me to overcome evil by knowing you and knowing your word. Thank you for forgiving me and giving me a new start. You are awesome!
In JNA.
But the people who know their God will be strong and will resist him.
Facing temptation can be hard, but when you know who your God is - you are able to be strong and resist evil. God has called us to do good things. The enemy will do everything he can to stop you - but he can't do anything when you know who your God is and you know who you are in God. Nothing can hold you back. God's love is unfailing and his grace is sufficient. Even when we stuff up, God takes us back and is willing to show us how to do it right. With Jesus all things are possible.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank you that you reign over my life and that you are looking out for me. I know your love is unfailing and I pray you would help me to overcome evil by knowing you and knowing your word. Thank you for forgiving me and giving me a new start. You are awesome!
In JNA.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
God's Unfailing Love
Psalm 117:2 -
For he loves us with unfailing love; the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!
No matter what I do God still loves me; his love is unfailing. Even when I am not faithful - he is still faithful. The faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. he is the only one who can meet all of my needs. Everyone else will leave me feeling empty, lost and lonely. Only God knows what is truly going on in my life and he can make things right again. He makes all things new.
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are the one true God. I thank you for your unfailing love in my life. You have made me new again. Even when I am not faithful - You are still faithful to me. Your faithfulness endures forever. I will praise You Lord everywhere I go. I will not be ashamed of you. You have done great things in my life and I give you the glory!
In JNA.
For he loves us with unfailing love; the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!
No matter what I do God still loves me; his love is unfailing. Even when I am not faithful - he is still faithful. The faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. he is the only one who can meet all of my needs. Everyone else will leave me feeling empty, lost and lonely. Only God knows what is truly going on in my life and he can make things right again. He makes all things new.
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are the one true God. I thank you for your unfailing love in my life. You have made me new again. Even when I am not faithful - You are still faithful to me. Your faithfulness endures forever. I will praise You Lord everywhere I go. I will not be ashamed of you. You have done great things in my life and I give you the glory!
In JNA.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Prayer
Luke 5:16 -
But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.
Prayer is important for keeping a sound mind and allowing God to speak to my heart. How will I know if I am in God's will if I never talk to him in prayer. Prayer is alone time with God. I cannot be distracted or just let my mind wander. I need to focus in on God and hear what he wants to say to me. God has a plan for my life and I need to listen to him so I can find out what his plan is. Jesus wants to do great things through my life and when I am surrendered to God in prayer it enables him to.
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are awesome! U know all things and have a plan for my life. I thank you that as I spend time with you in prayer, you will show me your plan for my life and many other great things. May I not miss out on what you are doing in the earth today because I am not disciplined enough to pray. I give you the glory!
In JNA.
But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.
Prayer is important for keeping a sound mind and allowing God to speak to my heart. How will I know if I am in God's will if I never talk to him in prayer. Prayer is alone time with God. I cannot be distracted or just let my mind wander. I need to focus in on God and hear what he wants to say to me. God has a plan for my life and I need to listen to him so I can find out what his plan is. Jesus wants to do great things through my life and when I am surrendered to God in prayer it enables him to.
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are awesome! U know all things and have a plan for my life. I thank you that as I spend time with you in prayer, you will show me your plan for my life and many other great things. May I not miss out on what you are doing in the earth today because I am not disciplined enough to pray. I give you the glory!
In JNA.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Jesus Overcame Temptation
Luke 4:1-2 -
Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit to go out into the wilderness, where the Devil tempted him for forty days. He ate nothing all that time and was very hungry. (New Living Translation)
Jesus led by example and overcame the Devil and temptation by using scripture. He was tempted just like me, but he never succumbed to the lusts of the flesh. He always rose up higher than them and held onto the hope of what was to come - the awesome things He knew God would do through his life.
God gives me hope and it helps me to look past my present circumstances. I am not perfect like Jesus. I have been overcome by temptation before. It is in those times that I need the hope God gives me to look beyond where I find myself - I need His forgiveness and grace to move on. God's forgiveness enables me to let go of the past and look forward to the glorious future He has prepared.
Dear Father in Heaven, You are a great God. Thank you for your forgiveness; thank you for your grace Lord. Help me to grow stronger each day and overcome temptation just like Jesus did. You empower me, Lord, to let go of my past and look forward to the glorious future You have prepared for me. Thank you Jesus, for your sacrifice on the Cross, may my life make your sacrifice worth it.
In Your Glorious Name, Amen.
Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit to go out into the wilderness, where the Devil tempted him for forty days. He ate nothing all that time and was very hungry. (New Living Translation)
Jesus led by example and overcame the Devil and temptation by using scripture. He was tempted just like me, but he never succumbed to the lusts of the flesh. He always rose up higher than them and held onto the hope of what was to come - the awesome things He knew God would do through his life.
God gives me hope and it helps me to look past my present circumstances. I am not perfect like Jesus. I have been overcome by temptation before. It is in those times that I need the hope God gives me to look beyond where I find myself - I need His forgiveness and grace to move on. God's forgiveness enables me to let go of the past and look forward to the glorious future He has prepared.
Dear Father in Heaven, You are a great God. Thank you for your forgiveness; thank you for your grace Lord. Help me to grow stronger each day and overcome temptation just like Jesus did. You empower me, Lord, to let go of my past and look forward to the glorious future You have prepared for me. Thank you Jesus, for your sacrifice on the Cross, may my life make your sacrifice worth it.
In Your Glorious Name, Amen.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Essay
Marc Prensky's "Emerging online life of the digital native" and David Weinberger's "A New World" both present different views of contemporary internet users. In light of your own experiences with new technologies do you think they are accurate portrayals? Discuss why or why not with specific examples.
The internet is used by many people for a lot of different things. What people do on the internet has changed and evolved over time, but the people who use the internet today, known as contemporary internet users, are being viewed in interesting and specific ways. This essay will outline the views Marc Prensky and David Weinberger have of contemporary internet users. It will highlight their differences and explain how they both give accurate portrayals, in some areas, and flawed observations, in other areas. Prensky’s view of the digital native compared to the digital immigrant discusses the difference between the generation who have grown up with technology and the generation that have had to adapt to it. He outlines how the younger generation do things differently using the technology they have at their fingertips. Weinberger’s view of contemporary internet users is depicted in his portrayal of several different types of persons or personalities using the web today. In connection with Prensky’s description of a digital immigrant, Weinberger approaches the web from this stance of adapting to the technology. These topics will be discussed further and explored through other commentaries and sources. Specific examples will be given to discuss the views of Prensky and Weinberger.
Marc Prensky delves into what young people are using the internet for and how they do this by expanding on topics like communicating; buying and selling; gaming; and learning. He terms this younger generation ‘digital natives’ and describes how they do things differently to ‘digital immigrants’. There is deeper discussion on these two terms in Prensky’s article ‘Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants’. Digital natives are primarily generation Y and younger and they have also been termed ‘Net Genners’ (Leung, 2004). This group incorporates people who have been immersed in technology their whole lives. They haven’t had to change to adapt to technology, but it is like second nature to them. However, digital immigrants have made a shift. They were accustomed to doing things a certain way without the use of technology. In the advent of new technology this group of people have made adjustments. In making these adjustments they still carry their traditional ways of thinking with them, which makes them different from digital natives (Prensky, 2001). Prensky’s discussion in ‘Emerging Online Life of the Digital Native’ (Prensky, 2004), suggests that digital natives are approaching life differently because of the internet.
In David Weinberger’s ‘A New World’, there is discussion about the internet as a place that is emerging and nobody knows where it is heading. Weinberger points out the hopes and fears that arose because of the web and asks why this occurred. He questions the web’s ability to meet all these expectations. He discusses contemporary internet users from the perspective of someone adapting to technology. This is evident when Weinberger talks about rewriting ourselves on the web (Weinberger, 2002). Even in the title ‘A New World’, it is clear that the focus is on the older generations because the internet and technology is not new for younger generations; it is all they have ever known. Weinberger mentions the struggles of building businesses in this new space called the web. He outlines the unfamiliarity of a place with ‘no soil’ and ‘no near and far’ (Weinberger, 2002). This unfamiliarity of the web has caused people to discover themselves saying and doing things they wouldn’t have done before (Poster, 2001). On the internet people can recreate themselves and be someone different to who they are in real life. This ability has caused problems and is displayed in a story in ‘A New World’. Michael Ian Campbell decided to practice his acting, so he says, by trying on a new role in an instant messaging conversation online. This new role involved talk about the shootings that occurred in a school in America. The conversation was taken seriously and police were involved in straightening out the situation (Weinberger, 2002). Serious problems can occur from people playing around with serious issues on the internet and studies have shown people are more likely to say or be involved inappropriate things online than if they were face to face (Langford, 1996).
The accurate portrayals given by Prensky include his description of how young people are engaging in technology for communication, gaming and learning purposes. There are a number of ways this is happening and communication online is the most evident of them all. Teenagers are engaged in online communication through programs like MSN messenger and websites like Facebook and MySpace. This has shaped the way they do life and the popularity of these online communication and social tools is proven. The reason why teenagers love these social networking sites and programs is discussed in an article titled ‘Why Youth Love Social Network Sites: The Role of Networked Publics in Teenage Social Life’. The article addresses the fact that most teens have ventured on the social network sites and in time have gone off them. The importance of these sites in relation to their social life is their involvement and participation with their friends (Boyd, 2008). There is the ability for young people today to create much bigger social spheres because of access to these sites.
Flawed observations by Prensky include a generalization he made about generation Y finding romantic relationships on the internet. He said it was likely that young people today will be finding ‘some or all of their dates online’ (Prensky, 2004). This is far from the case. Although some young people are engaged in online dating, it is still a ‘no-go zone’ for most young people today. Studies have shown involvement in this activity is on the decline from previous years – Youth Marketing Statistics.
Weinberger’s portrayal of contemporary internet users was accurate. In his description of eBay users and shopping online, digital immigrants were said to be engaged in this activity. More and more internet users who are from the digital immigrant group are becoming involved in shopping online through sites like eBay and Amazon (Selvin, 2000 p. 157). Further discussion on inappropriate behavior becoming more prevalent through email and internet use is seen to be happening. People are more confident sitting behind a computer screen. Statistics and studies have shown this. In 1999, 40 people were fired from Xerox for email abuse. In the same year, New York Times fired 23 people for “inappropriate and offensive” emails (Weinberger, 2002).
New technologies have reshaped the way people do life. Contemporary internet users have been opened up to many new possibilities through these technologies. Positive and negative repercussions have both come from the advent of these technologies. Prensky and Weinberger’s views of how these technologies are used by contemporary internet users were interrelated, but different. They both came from different perspectives. Prensky focused on young people and Weinberger on digital immigrants adapting to the technology. The interrelation came through each perspective discussing activities, which occur online. For example, shopping, learning and communicating. From these two perspectives, one can see that contemporary internet users, young or old, are engaged in many online activities and are experiencing the world through technology.
References
Boyd, R. (2008). Why Youth Love Social Network Sites: The Role of Networked Publics in Teenage Social Life. http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/dmal.9780262524834.119?cookieSet=1
Louis Leung. CyberPsychology & Behavior. June 2004, 7(3): 333-348. doi:10.1089/1094931041291303.
Journal article by Duncan Langford; Ethics & Behavior, Vol. 6, 1996 - http://www.questia.com/googleScholar.qst;jsessionid=KhyfBGTr3cQ2FnnPqr1LG3hwSdmTXtWyLm1ygw2hxtqHwrftJ6Pr!-1941634607!-2081211395?docId=94802212
Poster, M. (2001). What’s The Matter With The Internet?. University of Minnesota Press.
Prensky, M. (2001). http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky-The_Emerging_Online_Life_of_the_Digital_Native-03.pdf
Prensky, M. (2004). (http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf - accessed 16/10/09)
Selvin, J. (2000). Internet & Society. Blackwell Publishers.
Weinberger, D. (2002). http://www.smallpieces.com/content/chapter1.html
Internet Resource accessed 16/10/09 - http://www.youth-marketing-statistics.com/2009/01/remember-online-dating.html
The internet is used by many people for a lot of different things. What people do on the internet has changed and evolved over time, but the people who use the internet today, known as contemporary internet users, are being viewed in interesting and specific ways. This essay will outline the views Marc Prensky and David Weinberger have of contemporary internet users. It will highlight their differences and explain how they both give accurate portrayals, in some areas, and flawed observations, in other areas. Prensky’s view of the digital native compared to the digital immigrant discusses the difference between the generation who have grown up with technology and the generation that have had to adapt to it. He outlines how the younger generation do things differently using the technology they have at their fingertips. Weinberger’s view of contemporary internet users is depicted in his portrayal of several different types of persons or personalities using the web today. In connection with Prensky’s description of a digital immigrant, Weinberger approaches the web from this stance of adapting to the technology. These topics will be discussed further and explored through other commentaries and sources. Specific examples will be given to discuss the views of Prensky and Weinberger.
Marc Prensky delves into what young people are using the internet for and how they do this by expanding on topics like communicating; buying and selling; gaming; and learning. He terms this younger generation ‘digital natives’ and describes how they do things differently to ‘digital immigrants’. There is deeper discussion on these two terms in Prensky’s article ‘Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants’. Digital natives are primarily generation Y and younger and they have also been termed ‘Net Genners’ (Leung, 2004). This group incorporates people who have been immersed in technology their whole lives. They haven’t had to change to adapt to technology, but it is like second nature to them. However, digital immigrants have made a shift. They were accustomed to doing things a certain way without the use of technology. In the advent of new technology this group of people have made adjustments. In making these adjustments they still carry their traditional ways of thinking with them, which makes them different from digital natives (Prensky, 2001). Prensky’s discussion in ‘Emerging Online Life of the Digital Native’ (Prensky, 2004), suggests that digital natives are approaching life differently because of the internet.
In David Weinberger’s ‘A New World’, there is discussion about the internet as a place that is emerging and nobody knows where it is heading. Weinberger points out the hopes and fears that arose because of the web and asks why this occurred. He questions the web’s ability to meet all these expectations. He discusses contemporary internet users from the perspective of someone adapting to technology. This is evident when Weinberger talks about rewriting ourselves on the web (Weinberger, 2002). Even in the title ‘A New World’, it is clear that the focus is on the older generations because the internet and technology is not new for younger generations; it is all they have ever known. Weinberger mentions the struggles of building businesses in this new space called the web. He outlines the unfamiliarity of a place with ‘no soil’ and ‘no near and far’ (Weinberger, 2002). This unfamiliarity of the web has caused people to discover themselves saying and doing things they wouldn’t have done before (Poster, 2001). On the internet people can recreate themselves and be someone different to who they are in real life. This ability has caused problems and is displayed in a story in ‘A New World’. Michael Ian Campbell decided to practice his acting, so he says, by trying on a new role in an instant messaging conversation online. This new role involved talk about the shootings that occurred in a school in America. The conversation was taken seriously and police were involved in straightening out the situation (Weinberger, 2002). Serious problems can occur from people playing around with serious issues on the internet and studies have shown people are more likely to say or be involved inappropriate things online than if they were face to face (Langford, 1996).
The accurate portrayals given by Prensky include his description of how young people are engaging in technology for communication, gaming and learning purposes. There are a number of ways this is happening and communication online is the most evident of them all. Teenagers are engaged in online communication through programs like MSN messenger and websites like Facebook and MySpace. This has shaped the way they do life and the popularity of these online communication and social tools is proven. The reason why teenagers love these social networking sites and programs is discussed in an article titled ‘Why Youth Love Social Network Sites: The Role of Networked Publics in Teenage Social Life’. The article addresses the fact that most teens have ventured on the social network sites and in time have gone off them. The importance of these sites in relation to their social life is their involvement and participation with their friends (Boyd, 2008). There is the ability for young people today to create much bigger social spheres because of access to these sites.
Flawed observations by Prensky include a generalization he made about generation Y finding romantic relationships on the internet. He said it was likely that young people today will be finding ‘some or all of their dates online’ (Prensky, 2004). This is far from the case. Although some young people are engaged in online dating, it is still a ‘no-go zone’ for most young people today. Studies have shown involvement in this activity is on the decline from previous years – Youth Marketing Statistics.
Weinberger’s portrayal of contemporary internet users was accurate. In his description of eBay users and shopping online, digital immigrants were said to be engaged in this activity. More and more internet users who are from the digital immigrant group are becoming involved in shopping online through sites like eBay and Amazon (Selvin, 2000 p. 157). Further discussion on inappropriate behavior becoming more prevalent through email and internet use is seen to be happening. People are more confident sitting behind a computer screen. Statistics and studies have shown this. In 1999, 40 people were fired from Xerox for email abuse. In the same year, New York Times fired 23 people for “inappropriate and offensive” emails (Weinberger, 2002).
New technologies have reshaped the way people do life. Contemporary internet users have been opened up to many new possibilities through these technologies. Positive and negative repercussions have both come from the advent of these technologies. Prensky and Weinberger’s views of how these technologies are used by contemporary internet users were interrelated, but different. They both came from different perspectives. Prensky focused on young people and Weinberger on digital immigrants adapting to the technology. The interrelation came through each perspective discussing activities, which occur online. For example, shopping, learning and communicating. From these two perspectives, one can see that contemporary internet users, young or old, are engaged in many online activities and are experiencing the world through technology.
References
Boyd, R. (2008). Why Youth Love Social Network Sites: The Role of Networked Publics in Teenage Social Life. http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/dmal.9780262524834.119?cookieSet=1
Louis Leung. CyberPsychology & Behavior. June 2004, 7(3): 333-348. doi:10.1089/1094931041291303.
Journal article by Duncan Langford; Ethics & Behavior, Vol. 6, 1996 - http://www.questia.com/googleScholar.qst;jsessionid=KhyfBGTr3cQ2FnnPqr1LG3hwSdmTXtWyLm1ygw2hxtqHwrftJ6Pr!-1941634607!-2081211395?docId=94802212
Poster, M. (2001). What’s The Matter With The Internet?. University of Minnesota Press.
Prensky, M. (2001). http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky-The_Emerging_Online_Life_of_the_Digital_Native-03.pdf
Prensky, M. (2004). (http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf - accessed 16/10/09)
Selvin, J. (2000). Internet & Society. Blackwell Publishers.
Weinberger, D. (2002). http://www.smallpieces.com/content/chapter1.html
Internet Resource accessed 16/10/09 - http://www.youth-marketing-statistics.com/2009/01/remember-online-dating.html
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Course Summary
New Communications Technologies has been one of my favorite courses this semester. Dealing with issues such as the internet, computers, media and media on the internet, screen and film and many other topics, I have found the course informative. The early lectures on the history of the computer and the internet was quite interesting because these things are so much embedded in our culture today. Adam's discussion on web 2.0 and Free Culture was interesting. Learning the purpose of creative commons and how it works has enabled me to be more aware to publish my own creations in these spaces. Josh Nichol’s lectures on the screen and consumption and production taught me about how our world is changing with technology. Media and entertainment can be accessed on the fly because of creations like the iPhone and iPod touch. The fact that people use to watch trees blowing in the wind on film just because it was on film and this made it exciting, tells me how far we have come. There is still no looking back, technology is continuing to evolve and breaking new frontiers.
Later on in the course, politics on the internet was introduced. Terms like eDemocracy and cyberpunk were introduced. Understanding that hackers are not actually bad or always considered criminals was good to know. I had always associated hackers with doing something wrong. I learnt that these people doing the wrong thing with computers and the internet are mainly known as crackers; although, hackers can be harmful - this would be when they break away from their 'Hacker Ethic'. We learnt about a specific code that hackers adhere to and agree to not use the information they discover in harmful or destructive ways. This 'Hacker Ethic' or code began in the 1960's. Learning all of these interesting facts and ideas added to my enjoyment of the course. I liked the idea of having to start up my own blog and being able to show my friends what I've been doing in this course.
Jason Nelson conducted an eventful lecture and showed us all that he doesn't struggle from shyness. I liked his style. His discussion on the .com crash and rethinking of ways to use the internet was of importance to other content we had learned. It interrelated with some of the topics Adam covered in discussing web 2.0 - the introduction of the more socially oriented internet world. I have to say, the whole idea of Active worlds and Second life got to me. They seem so pointless and Jason Nelson brought this up in his lecture. He said exactly that - that they really have no purpose or point and are designed to really do nothing.
Overall the course has been good and I look forward to some more informative lectures and readings to come.
Later on in the course, politics on the internet was introduced. Terms like eDemocracy and cyberpunk were introduced. Understanding that hackers are not actually bad or always considered criminals was good to know. I had always associated hackers with doing something wrong. I learnt that these people doing the wrong thing with computers and the internet are mainly known as crackers; although, hackers can be harmful - this would be when they break away from their 'Hacker Ethic'. We learnt about a specific code that hackers adhere to and agree to not use the information they discover in harmful or destructive ways. This 'Hacker Ethic' or code began in the 1960's. Learning all of these interesting facts and ideas added to my enjoyment of the course. I liked the idea of having to start up my own blog and being able to show my friends what I've been doing in this course.
Jason Nelson conducted an eventful lecture and showed us all that he doesn't struggle from shyness. I liked his style. His discussion on the .com crash and rethinking of ways to use the internet was of importance to other content we had learned. It interrelated with some of the topics Adam covered in discussing web 2.0 - the introduction of the more socially oriented internet world. I have to say, the whole idea of Active worlds and Second life got to me. They seem so pointless and Jason Nelson brought this up in his lecture. He said exactly that - that they really have no purpose or point and are designed to really do nothing.
Overall the course has been good and I look forward to some more informative lectures and readings to come.
Essay Topic and Resources
I have chosen essay question one: Marc Prensky's "Emerging online life of the digital native" and David Weinberger's "A New World" (this is chapter 1 from a book called "Small Pieces Loosely Joined" which is in the library as a physical book, it's available as an ebook in the GU catalogue, and it's also on the internet for free if you use your google powers!) both present different views of contemporary internet users. In light of your own experiences with new technologies do you think they are accurate portrayals? Discuss why or why not with specific examples.
I chose this question because I want to explore the different uses the internet has for different people. Some use the internet for educational purposes, whilst some use it for criminal activity.
Resource 1: http://www.smallpieces.com/content/chapter1.html
In this resource there is talk about the web putting a jolt through our culture. There is suspicion that perhaps the web is a new world we are inhabiting and it has much more to reveal. It discusses the uncertainty of the web and the unpredictability it holds. It describes the web as having nothing natural in it and having few rules of behavior and lines of authority.
Resource 2: http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky-The_Emerging_Online_Life_of_the_Digital_Native-03.pdf
“Students are not just using technology differently today, but are approaching their life and their daily activities differently because of the technology.”
– NetDay survey 2004, Conclusions.
This is a quote that explains in a concise statement what this article is about. The impact of technology on students is changing not just their lives, but the way they do life.
Resource 3: http://books.google.com.au/books?hl=en&lr=&id=Agemw3yIfCIC&oi=fnd&pg=PR12&dq=Contemporary+Internet+Users&ots=IkYJbDSVs0&sig=63Il9KY0TcaB5Mp2_NrexVNrhIM#v=onepage&q=Contemporary%20Internet%20Users&f=false
This resource highlights the Internet in a general sense. It deals with how the internet is concerned with everyday life. This resource will be useful in the discussion of the contemporary internet user and how it relates to their life. It highlights how the internet has changed from primarily being used by elites to being used by common people for common purposes.
Resource 4: http://ssc.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/19/4/395
This article explores new variables from social-cognitive theory that looks into internet usage. Internet addiction is highlighted and discussed. It raises concerns of internet behavior and will be useful in discussing different behavioral trends.
Resource 5: http://www.cheeps.com/karlmaton/pdf/bjet.pdf
Marc Prensky’s discussion on digital natives led me to another source of information on this type ‘digital natives’. According to this article they are also termed ‘Net generation’. The article highlights that this generation of internet users have been immersed in technology all of their lives.
I chose this question because I want to explore the different uses the internet has for different people. Some use the internet for educational purposes, whilst some use it for criminal activity.
Resource 1: http://www.smallpieces.com/content/chapter1.html
In this resource there is talk about the web putting a jolt through our culture. There is suspicion that perhaps the web is a new world we are inhabiting and it has much more to reveal. It discusses the uncertainty of the web and the unpredictability it holds. It describes the web as having nothing natural in it and having few rules of behavior and lines of authority.
Resource 2: http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky-The_Emerging_Online_Life_of_the_Digital_Native-03.pdf
“Students are not just using technology differently today, but are approaching their life and their daily activities differently because of the technology.”
– NetDay survey 2004, Conclusions.
This is a quote that explains in a concise statement what this article is about. The impact of technology on students is changing not just their lives, but the way they do life.
Resource 3: http://books.google.com.au/books?hl=en&lr=&id=Agemw3yIfCIC&oi=fnd&pg=PR12&dq=Contemporary+Internet+Users&ots=IkYJbDSVs0&sig=63Il9KY0TcaB5Mp2_NrexVNrhIM#v=onepage&q=Contemporary%20Internet%20Users&f=false
This resource highlights the Internet in a general sense. It deals with how the internet is concerned with everyday life. This resource will be useful in the discussion of the contemporary internet user and how it relates to their life. It highlights how the internet has changed from primarily being used by elites to being used by common people for common purposes.
Resource 4: http://ssc.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/19/4/395
This article explores new variables from social-cognitive theory that looks into internet usage. Internet addiction is highlighted and discussed. It raises concerns of internet behavior and will be useful in discussing different behavioral trends.
Resource 5: http://www.cheeps.com/karlmaton/pdf/bjet.pdf
Marc Prensky’s discussion on digital natives led me to another source of information on this type ‘digital natives’. According to this article they are also termed ‘Net generation’. The article highlights that this generation of internet users have been immersed in technology all of their lives.
Jason Nelson's Lecture - Week 9
Jason spoke about the .com crash. There was a lot of money pumped into the internet and then these investors realised they were not making any money. After 2000 these people began to rethink things. Jason highlighted some companies that had done well and made it through and this included Amazon.com. Discussion began about when yahoo was big before Google came along. This led to more talk about - there is always going to be the next best thing. First there was MySpace and then everyone jumped to Facebook and then twitter. Apparently, Google is bringing the next thing out and it is going to be called Google-wave?? I wonder if everyone will jump on board. Google seems to have their hand in everything that happens on the internet. We learnt that Bill Gates/Microsoft is trying to buy yahoo... Though, at the moment Google is still the flavor of the month.
Jason mentioned Cyber Utopia - I gathered this to mean things are constantly changing in the cyber world. This is evident in what was discussed earlier. In a business sense this is bad. Companies don't want to build cyber entities or buildings, as such, then keep knocking them down and starting again. It must be frustrating for these business minded people trying to make a dollar. Some have succeeded and some have failed. Some have done both... Jason described the net as an experimental space. There are brands rising and falling continually. Personally, being a consumer of the goings on in cyberspace, I can't say that I will only commit to one thing/site/company/brand. If something better comes out and all my friends are using that, well I will use it too.
Jason showed us the Wayback Machine found at archive.org - This machine stores information of websites that may not be in use anymore. He took us to the old Griffith site from 1996. Let us just say things have changed for the better.
Now on to some Internet usage stats: Most people only visit up to 6 websites on the internet. These are the sites that people are accustomed to using. This led into discussion about more specific focus of tailoring to people’s needs on the internet. For example, the vampire.net or whatever it was. It was tailored to people into vampires or the elf.com or net that was specifically for people with an elf fetish. These types of sites are showing their success because they can last. The sites that are attempting to get the attention of the masses soon crumble because they cannot sustain the momentum. People generally get bored and move on the something else. Jason said the web works most effectively when individuals consistently updating information run sites. This is rather than big corporations running the show.
Jason mentioned Cyber Utopia - I gathered this to mean things are constantly changing in the cyber world. This is evident in what was discussed earlier. In a business sense this is bad. Companies don't want to build cyber entities or buildings, as such, then keep knocking them down and starting again. It must be frustrating for these business minded people trying to make a dollar. Some have succeeded and some have failed. Some have done both... Jason described the net as an experimental space. There are brands rising and falling continually. Personally, being a consumer of the goings on in cyberspace, I can't say that I will only commit to one thing/site/company/brand. If something better comes out and all my friends are using that, well I will use it too.
Jason showed us the Wayback Machine found at archive.org - This machine stores information of websites that may not be in use anymore. He took us to the old Griffith site from 1996. Let us just say things have changed for the better.
Now on to some Internet usage stats: Most people only visit up to 6 websites on the internet. These are the sites that people are accustomed to using. This led into discussion about more specific focus of tailoring to people’s needs on the internet. For example, the vampire.net or whatever it was. It was tailored to people into vampires or the elf.com or net that was specifically for people with an elf fetish. These types of sites are showing their success because they can last. The sites that are attempting to get the attention of the masses soon crumble because they cannot sustain the momentum. People generally get bored and move on the something else. Jason said the web works most effectively when individuals consistently updating information run sites. This is rather than big corporations running the show.
Political Participation via The Internet
1. Sign an e-petition:
Tobacco Display Legislation – This e-petition was concerned with removing the proposals relating to the ban on the display of tobacco in shops.
2. Respond to a professional blogger at a major news site:
I responded to Sydney Morning Heralds entertain blog. The topic was concerning Kyle Sandilands being stood down for a month without pay. I said that I think he should be off the air altogether because he is a rude and ignorant human being.
3. What is Barak Obama up to today?
The best way I could think of finding out this information was to check Obama’s twitter. He tweeted that he is in New York meeting with world leaders at the United Nations. He posted a video and said watch this speech…
4. Find out who your local, state and federal representatives are:
Local: Ms Kerry Rea MP
State: The Hon Arch Bevis MP
Federal: I don't know. I couldn't seem to find a clear answer.
5. I found the latest Hansard and Kerry Rea's name didn't seem to appear. I don't know if she didn't get a mention or I ws looking in the wrong place. So I couldn't let her know what I thought because I couldn't find her last speech.
Tobacco Display Legislation – This e-petition was concerned with removing the proposals relating to the ban on the display of tobacco in shops.
2. Respond to a professional blogger at a major news site:
I responded to Sydney Morning Heralds entertain blog. The topic was concerning Kyle Sandilands being stood down for a month without pay. I said that I think he should be off the air altogether because he is a rude and ignorant human being.
3. What is Barak Obama up to today?
The best way I could think of finding out this information was to check Obama’s twitter. He tweeted that he is in New York meeting with world leaders at the United Nations. He posted a video and said watch this speech…
4. Find out who your local, state and federal representatives are:
Local: Ms Kerry Rea MP
State: The Hon Arch Bevis MP
Federal: I don't know. I couldn't seem to find a clear answer.
5. I found the latest Hansard and Kerry Rea's name didn't seem to appear. I don't know if she didn't get a mention or I ws looking in the wrong place. So I couldn't let her know what I thought because I couldn't find her last speech.
Political Possibilities
Due to strikes, there was no lecture this week. The content made available on elearning dealt with recent political formations emerging because of new technologies. In order to properly understand these political formations, CyberPolitics and eDemocracy had to be defined. CyberPolitics was defined as politics of the internet mostly found on the internet. It deals with how the internet is structured and functions and who decides these things (Internet Society and ICANN). Edemocracy is more concerned with how the internet participates in what is going on in real world politics. It incorporates how the government uses the internet. There was further discussion about defining, more generally, democracy.
In the discussion about mass media I gathered a number of main concepts. The fact that mass media has cut off democratic participation in a number of ways and the advent of new technologies has counteracted this choking of democracy. The new technologies are allowing more people to be involved in mass media and present their opinions and view others’ opinions too. Not only this, but these opinions and voices are appreciated and recognized by poeple. They aren’t just dismissed and ignored. More people are being able to find things out for themselves and not just be told everything from the one source (Newspapers, TV and Media). I see new communications technologies having a positive effect by bringing change in this way. The hold mass media has had in choking democracy is being loosened. Citizens realizing they have a voice and remembering they live in a democracy is important.
Democracy in relation to hackers was then discussed. Hackers don't see anything wrong with breaking into computer systems. They don't see computer systems as corporate property. They are often associated with a computer criminal, but in reality play a minor part in this scene. Hackers are different from crackers. Crackers are involved in criminal activity. They use the information they find, such as credit card details, to rip people off. Hackers are more interested in exploring and understanding hidden information within the canlas of computer systems. 'The Hacker Ethic' is said to have been around since 1960 and hackers adhere to this code. The code is concerned with not harming infromation found by hackers. Hackers are said to create democratic potentialities by finding new ways to information and providing access to these spaces.
In the discussion about mass media I gathered a number of main concepts. The fact that mass media has cut off democratic participation in a number of ways and the advent of new technologies has counteracted this choking of democracy. The new technologies are allowing more people to be involved in mass media and present their opinions and view others’ opinions too. Not only this, but these opinions and voices are appreciated and recognized by poeple. They aren’t just dismissed and ignored. More people are being able to find things out for themselves and not just be told everything from the one source (Newspapers, TV and Media). I see new communications technologies having a positive effect by bringing change in this way. The hold mass media has had in choking democracy is being loosened. Citizens realizing they have a voice and remembering they live in a democracy is important.
Democracy in relation to hackers was then discussed. Hackers don't see anything wrong with breaking into computer systems. They don't see computer systems as corporate property. They are often associated with a computer criminal, but in reality play a minor part in this scene. Hackers are different from crackers. Crackers are involved in criminal activity. They use the information they find, such as credit card details, to rip people off. Hackers are more interested in exploring and understanding hidden information within the canlas of computer systems. 'The Hacker Ethic' is said to have been around since 1960 and hackers adhere to this code. The code is concerned with not harming infromation found by hackers. Hackers are said to create democratic potentialities by finding new ways to information and providing access to these spaces.
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