MODULE #7 Katie's Word On Wrapping Up Phase 1

Hello everyone! It's time to share my thoughts and opinions on the DOTCOM Phase 1 project!

What was the most fun/exciting part of the DOTCOM PHASE 1 project for you?

The DOTCOM phase 1 project has proved to be a very exciting process these past four months, all the way from my application, to this final phase 1 blog post. My favorite part of the project has been developing my knowledge of media skills and awareness. I also greatly enjoyed utilizing Web tools for structured communication with fellow students around the world. It is especially cool to have the opportunity of sharing my culture with the Armenian and Azerbaijani students, and learning about theirs as well. In addition, building bonds with everyone as we find our similarities and differences has been very fun and insightful.


What was the most challenging part of the DOTCOM PHASE 1 project for you?

The most challenging part of the DOTCOM phase 1 project was making sure that each of my posts provided a clear representation of who I am as a person and that they showed my personality. To solve this, I often tried adding personal touches such as favorite music and photos, or friend requesting my fellow DOTCOMers on Facebook so that they could learn more about me. In addition, I tried to make sure that each of my posts for the Modules were thorough and that they completely answered the challenge. Moreover, even though the Module projects were occasionally time consuming, I never found them cumbersome or too difficult to complete.


What is one specific suggestion you have for the DOTCOM PHASE 1 project, when we do this project again?

Although Phase 1 of DOTCOM was great and I wouldn't change a thing, I will add that I would have enjoyed further communicating with the all the DOTCOM participants through an online group setting using 2.0 web tools (such as a moderated chat room). This would have been beneficial in finding how we all interact with each other and to discuss topics in a more classroom or "instant messenger" setting. For example, this would be possible through the web tool "Elluminate" which would allow a group to instantly chat in a type box, utilize whiteboard functions, and introduce themselves through voice or video.


Second, find the FUNNIEST video you can find on YouTube, embed it in your blog, and tell us why you find it so funny.


This is actually a video that I recorded on my own camera this morning. It is a Cardinal that visits the large window in my house every day. I always thought of the bird as something very funny, and then I attempted to consider a reason for its purpose. I feel that the bird represents people when they come across a conflict. Instead of trying to solve the problem, they continue to be stubborn or ignore it until it becomes worse. The bird needs to change his old ways of repeatedly hitting the same window in my house, and move on to a new, productive approach on his life. The same can be said for our own conflicts in the world.