Final Week: Course in Review

Favorite topics? Least favorite? Explain yourself

In looking back over the topics discussed in this class, I would like to think I learned something new about each one. Some granted I took more away from than others, but I think that each was important.

In terms of my most favorable topic, I would have to say blogging. GASP! The topic that many people found to be disposable, or a grade check, I found extremely interesting. The way that authoritative roles are broken down when writing a blog post is fascinating when compared to the real-world counterpart. I don't understand why people feel more free to express themselves via blog post. Is that inherent to asynchronous communication? Or is it the written communication that offers this freedom over verbal?

I think in the future there should be some type of feedback system implemented into the blogging aspect of the course. As the course progressed, blog posts seemed to fall off from students. I imagine a utopian scenario where a student posts a blog comment, and receives feedback within a day either agreeing or disagreeing. Questioning beliefs or giving backing to ideas. Similar to a forum or bulletin board, a mashup of multimedia and textual information. There seemed to be confusion initially about what the purpose of the blog was, and I imagine some students refrained to avoid embarassment from a "wrong" post. Ironically there is not such thing as a "wrong" post, but rather only a lack of communication.

In terms of least favorable topic, I would have to say Cyber Feminism. I say this because it is obvious my own lack of knowledge on feminism topics occluded my perception of the big picture. Even after reading the piece several times I do not feel I have a strong understanding of the underlying intent. I would like to revisit this piece outside of an art class, to focus more on the literary meanings. I think once I understand what the piece is trying to say, I will be able to better interpret.

This class has been very rewarding for me. As a computer scientist so much of my reading is spent on algorithm exploration or new methods. My heart is in art and music, and the fact that 2.5 hours a week (4.5 if you count office hours) in class time was dedicated to this class has given me a great perspective on how art and technology interact.

I look forward to the final project presentations. I am very excited to see what everyone has come up with.

-Bobby