Wednesday, December 31, 2008
31st December 2008 [Tuesday] 1:15 AM
E-learning week
I feel that I enjoyed talking on the discussion forum. I was able to post my views freely on OLE because of the virtual barrier. I feel good that I am able to share my views with my other classmates and engage in a discussion with them. It is interesting to be able to find out what the others think and also very exciting to receive a reply or comment on my posting.
Screenshot of OLE Discussion, My posting
Figure 1a
I feel that this type of discussion is much better in terms of truthfulness. Due to the virtual barrier, there is a lesser tendency to feel embarassed hence its easier to say what we really want to say, as compared to face-to-face discussions where people not only observe your content and language, but also your subtle gestures. Hence you would feel more restricted. However, face-to-face discussion could be faster than this forum because of the difference in the log-in timing of my classmates. i.e. I may login in the morning, but my classmates login during late morning. So there is a lapse of a few hours before a reply comes in.
ITS ME .
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
This week I've learnt about this website called TalkingCock.com. It starts off greeting its visitors by displaying a page with a glaring rooster head. It also warns visitors of the content in the website so that visitors who deem them to be undesirable can choose to leave.
Screenshot of TalkingCock.com
Figure 1a
I have chosen to evaluate this website based on its currency, its coverage, purpose and accessibilty.
From there, I realize that TalkingCock.com's content, based on its own context, is very current due to its dedicated owners who are constantly updating the website.
It has a wide coverage as it basically makes a joke out of everyday Singaporeans' lives. Be it serious or funny, these events are turned into amusing entertainment for its visitors.
The purpose of the website has been satisfied. It fundamentally engages visitors in mocking Singaporeans' daily activities and the various scenarios that take place all the time. Regardless of occupation, rank, age, ethnicity or religion, none is spared when something of interest happens upon them. These happenings would be harnessed and put to work on TalkingCock.com.
Accessibility wise, its undebatedly very user-friendly. The links are all very obvious and conspicious. Use of images further helps visitors locate points of interest on the site. Everything is categorized appropriately. Refer to Figure 1b.
Figure 1b
Main site of TalkingCock.com
I feel that the role play helped me understand more about the different perspectives of visitors visiting various websites on the internet. Taking TalkingCock.com as an example, if I were Singapore's Prime Minister, I'd feel that the website might have gone overboard on its jokes, and despite the amount of entertainment my citizens would gain from it, the detrimental effects it has on the government cannot be neglected. Furthermore, there are falsified information that may mislead citizens into a dangerous misconception. Hence there could be a need to regulate the website.
If I were a Singaporean, I'd basically feel very entertained and be tickled pink by the jokes on the website. In fact, I'd probably visit it everyday to receive my daily dosage of laughter medicine. However, I'd also think of the risks of visiting such a website because I'd be afraid of being labelled as anti-government.
If I were a foreigner/student working in Singapore, I'd have mixed feelings. Firstly, of course i'd be very entertained by the jokes. Yet, I'd wonder what kind of government would allow such rampant spread of false or misleading information, corrupting the minds of the younger generation and possibly affecting the country's politics scene.
ITS ME .