First post

The reason behind a Gmail account was emails and instant messaging. The reason behind a Facebook account was the ease in sharing pictures. The reason behind a Skype account was the cost of long-distance calls.

I’ve always wondered if I would create my first blog for a specific motive or just for no reason at all. It turns out that just like for everything else, there is a good reason but an unexpected one. This blog is a space for personal reflection on a course that I’m taking at TC called (hold your breath!): Social and Communicative Aspects of Information and Communication Technologies.

ICTs are more and more part of our everyday life. People surf the Web, email, chat online, text, play computer games, take part in online communities, search databases, shop online, etc…. We also use new terms such as IMing, googling, blogging, spoofing, phishing, etc…

We all perceive the Internet in our own ways. We use it differently and for different purposes. For some people it’s a life enhancement, for others it has a negative impact. Adults can usually balance their time and judge what is “good or bad” for them, but what about children?

Along with the time spent watching television or playing video games, parents now need to worry about the Internet and are often unsure about what to do. And indeed, how does it affect their identity and their relationship with others? How does it affect their education? And how can ICTs be used as a way to educate?

I’m interested in developing e-learning solution for children and a first step is probably to understand their thoughts and feelings about the Internet.