Comment on "After Class Identity Discussion"

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 01:47:45 -0500

Thanks to some comments from Scott and Donna, I would like to update the post above. As I interact with a community but do not engage in it, the members of that community will see my identity based upon their interpretations. These outsiders' limited view of myself will constitute as a part of my identity. Therefore, I need to clarify my post. The use of "identity" in my post above is not identity in this sense but rather my perception of the "real me." This perception is how I come to view my identity but may not be how others view my identity.

New thoughts:
During this semester we have had an online portion of CI597 in web 2.0 technologies (e.g. blogs, twitter). As others viewed my online identity, they could merge their view of me with their perception of my in-person identity and the two could become one. Also, I was able to choose how much of the "real me" was in my online identity.

The argument was made in class that this online perception was not my "identity." However, I would like to argue that it is. All through our lives (both RL and online), we are searching for the answers to Who Am I? Who is the real me? During this journey, we put on masks depending on our environments. These masks change depending on who we are interacting with. Certain individuals only see half of our masks. They never get to see the "real me." However, I think it is clear that these individuals know my identity based on what I have showed them. The same argument can be applied to the online world. I represent myself with words or thoughts in facebook or other platforms. Like Minh said in class, I cannot show any body language in these environments. But, body language is not necessary. By representing myself with words and thoughts, I am creating masks that people see me as wearing. I have an online presence that people associate with me. They see my identity. They will never see the "real me" because they won't see me in person, however, they will see my identity. Any thoughts?

Just one extra thought because it has been on my mind throughout this entire discussion about Identity. At a high school christian retreat a while back I listened to one of my peers talk about "Becoming the Real Me" and taking off my masks. I used to think that I needed to take off masks in order to be the "real me." On further analysis of identity, I now think that I need to put on all my masks in order to become the "real me." In other words, I must strive to wear all of my masks all the time in order to become the "real me." I think that as a Christian, it is very important to show the "real me" all of the time.

- Mike Montalto-Rook

Comment on "Designing learning vs. Designing for learning"

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 20:50:06 -0500

Amen.

- Cole W. Camplese

Comment on "e-Portfolios and Mash-Ups of our Identity"

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 07:23:23 -0500

Mike, I'd be interested in hearing more about this. We are working with Glenn in ETS to help move portfolio at PSU into a more robust and interesting space -- namely using the blogs as a platform to support it. I would be interested in exploring how using some sort of social aggregator could extend the portfolio approach we are taking. Let's talk.

- Cole W. Camplese

CI 597 Blog: Comments

Comment on "After Class Identity Discussion"

Comment on "Designing learning vs. Designing for learning"

Comment on "e-Portfolios and Mash-Ups of our Identity"