Finally registered my first Twitter account

              There is one similar social media in China called Weibo or its latest version Wechat. Both of them are very popular and tons of people use it every day to communicate. I have the account in both of them and realize they are really time-consuming. This is also the reason I have been so rejective to Twitter.

               I started my Weibo to record my daily life. I have a lot of followers and followed many of my friends, famous people, and interesting web pages. I enjoy receiving people's comments, viewing increased followers and reading friends' post. However, I gradually notice that the Weibo grows in a different path which is something I don't like. For example, people want to use Weibo to make money. Actually, it is totally fine with their purpose, but the way they are using to achieve it is not recommended. To be specific, people want to earn money when they follow "someone's " Weibo. As the result, there are a lot of fake accounts in Weibo society.  People who hold a Weibo webpage want to attract the audience by posting "adult literature" that not appropriate to children. Gradually, the Weibo lacks creativity and the genuine, fewer people use it.

              Wechat then came out. The most distinguished feature of it is "friend circle", "the moments", and "Wechat pay". With Wechat, you only can see your "friends'" post rather than unknown people in the "society". You can also customize your friend circle,  deciding who can or cannot view when you post "the moments". Only the friends in the same circle can see each other's comments. This feature provides the privacy and feeling of safety to users. Moreover, Wechat has another feature: wechat pay. Wechat pay is similar as Apple pay but it is more prevalent and applicable in China. As long as you scan the QR scan, you can pay through your Wechat. And because of a large group of consumers, almost every store, such as grocery store, retail stores, and restaurants offer the Wechat pay. The interesting fact is Chinese people can satisfy self-needs even don't need to bring wallet or credit card.

              I feel I spend a lot of time on scanning friends' meaningless post, such as where they are traveling, what do they cook for dinner, how they have a relationship with others. There are a lot of gossips in my Wechat as well as Weibo. I spent a lot of time in reading “nonnutritive sentences". I also feel it is so hard for me to delete the app because I do want to know what happened around my "friend circle". Therefore, I did not register for another "Wechat" in U.S.

             EME 6414 asks students to have a Twitter account. I think maybe I should be open-minded and try this popular social media. "You won't truly know it unless you use it". I started to follow the tutorial provided on the course site, read articles about Twitter and registered my very first Twitter account. I hope I can obtain a lot of benefits from it! And so far so good, I can feel some difference from my previous impression already. Looking forward to exploring more!
 

         China's social media

   

my experience and understanding regarding Web. 2.0

             Web 2.0 makes more sense to me after I listened to the presentation shared through voice thread. What I feel before registering this course is "Web 2.0" is a system similar to other management systems we are using, Blackboard, Canvas,  Moodle and etc. You name it. However, the difference is "Web 2.0" is a social work management system while Blackboard and Moodles are learning management system. So, my first impression is Web 2.0 is full of programmings, theories, and rules. Thanks to the presentation, I have a better understanding and clearer definition of it.

             I really like the saying that " Web 2.0 is a philosophy, not a tool". I can easily make connections with the field I am familiar with. In education, there has a lot of philosophies.  My teaching philosophy is student-centered and project-based. I feel the outcomes of learning is incredible when you "learn by doing". Therefore, I spend a lot of time in creating fun projects based on students' characteristics to engage them. And in the same idea, Web 2.0 transfer a thought that everyone can involve in the system, make the contribution and even change the world. People are empowered and get authorization through using some "projects" of it.

             My favorite Web2.0 "project" or "program" is Pinterest. I just feel so jealous that why my country does not have one. I admire and respect people who are willing to share good resources to the world. I always get inspired by the ideas and instructional projects presented on it. Because of Pinterest, I got the chance to see a lot of creative teachers' blog who organize thoughts, sharing their unique teaching methods and pictures of the learning outcomes on their blog. I was thinking I should create my own blog but postpone the plan due to all kinds of excuse.

            Therefore, I appreciate the "passive" opportunity to write a blog. Hopefully, I can have this as a new habit in my life.
 
       

 

Should I choose this course ?

   

      Choosing this course means a lot of challenge to me! But, I am so excited to be here and passionate for all the tasks I am going to accomplish, skills I am going to learn and professionals I am going to meet. Finger cross for the good start and perfect end.

      I want to try this course at the beginning of the summer semester before the formal start of it. I cannot persuade myself if I have to take this course. I am also not sure if this course is what I really want. I don't know what does Web. 2.0 means but I just don't want to learn many theories and histories about this area. I want to be skillful, be creative and be professional one day! I know what I want but I don't know what I can get.

      Another reason that makes me hesitate is my pregnancy.  I am a 36 weeks pregnant woman with a 2 years old son. I already chose one course for the summer and don't want to be overwhelmed and make life messy. I discussed with my husband. He said it is all up to me. I am so glad he is so supportive and understanding.

      Then I told myself to try first and decide later. After reading the syllabus, trying various instructional media (most of them I have never tried, such as voice thread, Adobe spark, and Twitter), listening to the professor's presentation, I feel I was deeply motivated and touched by the course. I am so glad also so grateful for the professor who creates so many materials in order to achieve the best learning outcome. I can feel the intensive work ahead of me. However, there is no reason for me to drop it. This course is what I want!! Maybe it will be hard and I even don't know what will happen when the baby born. However, I simply just don't want to miss this amazing course!





 

Welcome EME 6414 Bloggers !

Morning professor, TAs and classmates from China! My pleasure to have you as my audience of the first English blog I have created. I hope you all enjoy reading it and I am an open minded person welcome all types of comments. Feel free to communicate with me. I am so excited to start this blog and looking forward to hearing from you !

Yihan