AVERYDAY BLOG

Marc Prensky’s idea of digital natives and digital immigrants makes sense when I think about my own experience as a student. Digital natives grow up using technology all the time, while digital immigrants learn to use it later. Due to this, learning can feel disconnected when classes rely mostly on lectures or long readings. I find it harder to stay focused in those situations compared to when information is broken up, visual, or interactive. Prensky also says that students’ thinking patterns have changed because of technology. I can see that in how I learn. I usually understand material better when it’s organized clearly and gets to the point instead of dragging on. Visual examples and short explanations help me more than long lectures. This connects to what Pearson et al. (2021) discuss in Chapter 14 about informative presentations needing to be clear, structured, and designed for the audience. When information is presented that way, it’s easier for me to pay attention and actually r...

Interpersonal relationships are always changing, even the ones that have lasted the longest. One of the most important relationships in my life is with one of my best friends, and someone I’ve known since Kindergarten. Although our friendship started when we were young, it has continued to grow and change over time. Using Knapp’s Relational Model, I see our current relationship fitting best into the intensifying stage. Growing up, we spent a lot of time together. In grade school and high school, we had similar routines, classes, and activities, which made it easy to hang out regularly and stay close. As we got older and closer to college, we both chose to pursue sports that took us in different directions. She chose to run track at a school near home, and I chose to play soccer at a school across the country. Distance and demanding schedules meant we no longer saw each other in person as often. Communicating online became very important to keep our friendship and help us stay connected...

Social media has become part of our everyday lives, yet most of us don’t stop to think about how it affects our mental health. Whether posting about your life or looking at others, it has more of an effect than many realize. Common networking sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (X) allow us to connect with others. While there are mental health benefits, there are also drawbacks. Social media is a great way to share your life and stay connected with friends and family. You can know a bit about someone’s life and stay involved, even if not in person. It also provides emotional support through sharing feelings, offering encouragement, and providing understanding for those struggling. On the contrary, sharing lives can lead to social comparison. When someone posts highlights of their life, it can create pressure to present a perfect image. In a study, participants were told not to use social media for seven days. Some failed, but those who didn’t reported that, “…their interacti...

Hi everyone! My name is Avery Pleiman, and I am currently a freshman at Oregon State, majoring in BioHealth Sciences on the Pre-PA track. I am from Independence, Kentucky, and currently live on campus in Corvallis, Oregon. This is my first communications course, and I’m excited to learn more about different ways to communicate and improve my skills throughout the term.  I use online communication a lot to stay in touch with friends and family, share updates on social media, and keep up with school-related resources. The platforms I use most are iMessages, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok because they are fast, easy, and fun. I like using them not just to connect with people, but also to stay organized and see what’s going on in my family and friends’ lives, especially since I live far from home. A little about me personally: I play on the OSU women’s soccer team, which takes up most of my time and keeps me busy, but I love it. Being part of a team has helped me learn responsibility,...