Blog 4

The major point of the podcast about Summer Camp is that some people really never understand the true meaning and emotional attachment to things they have not tried. This shows how camp members have such an connection with camp, while non camp member believe that there is nothing special about it. The major focus of Becoming Batman is the expectations people have around us and how they can influence us. 

I believe you have chosen these podcast to show how no one will ever really understand what we believe unless they try it for themselves or trust our word of mouth. I  think that will these podcasts it shows how our writing and groups we are choosing to write about for our next project can all be different. I think that this shows us that we need to go very in depth about what we are trying to say so it helps the reader feel like they know exactly the point we are trying to get across. 

I think we hear from more of the subjects being interviewed because they talk more about what is happening from the inside. I think that people don't really hear one another out as much as they used to, and that others focus more on themselves and what they want to heat. We also hear the people themselves talk about their experiences that help the listener get more connected with the story. We can feel their true emption by what they are saying and how they are experiencing it.

I think that theses podcast are more organized by theme. I think this because it goes in depth about their experiences not the authors. Both pieces have a theme that they stick to throughout their story. They show emotion into what they are doing and how they do it. I think they are organized this way to show the listener a personally stand point into their augments. I think that with the things going on many people understand the personal level better then the journalist level. It is easier for a male/female to reflect on a personal stand rather than a second hand personally connection.

The ideas that intrigued me the most were the misunderstanding between camp people and non camp people. This stuck in my head because you got to hear first time form the camp people. Also, I found it very interesting how much people rely on the expectations of someone else and how expectations can so strongly influence us. 
The group I plan on studying is the Greek life at UNL. I plan on studying the Greek life because I have gotten to know a lot of them over my past year at Lincoln. I have come to notice how into their smart phones they have become, and how much they rely on them for communication. I can see that this group would be a good group to study because of how close they all are, and yet how much communication they have with one another through their smart phones. 

I plan on going about studying them by asking questions about how they use their phones. I would like to see how often they use their phones to communicate with each other rather the face-to-face. I would also like to see what role does social media have on their lives and ho it influences them. I am curious to see what their answers are about how they use their smart phones beneficially rather then a distraction. I would also like to know how long they could go without having their phones or are they too emotionally attached to it. 

They would help me tremendously on shedding light on my critical question because they would show me how much more technological interactions they have over physical interactions. I would like to see what kinds of apps help them communicate as a whole group and how they would prefer communicating with one another.

Blog 5

When I was first thinking of my critical question I wanted to do something about technology. I first thought of technology in our society and how it was advancing our culture. I soon realized that there were too many pieces of technology to fit into this scale so myself and Nicole decided to make my critical question more  straight forward. My newly revised critical question is: How has the technological advance of smart phones diminished our social skills within the United States? This critical question has changed from my old one because it is much more in depth then my old one. I enjoy learning about what smart phones have helper/hurt American society. 

The group I plan on studying for this project is the Greek students at UNL. I chose the Greek students because they are constantly on their phones and always have something going on. I plan on interviewing people I have met over the last year, and asking them what their thoughts on the smart phone and how the think it is beneficial/harmful. I think that this is a good group to study because they constantly have people texting them day in and day out about what is going on with their sorority/ frat. I chose this group of people because I grew up with friends who are now in the Greek community. In high school they were always on their phones, but now since college they have been even more attracted to them. There is applications that the smart phones now have designed for larger groups of people to communicate in a group text. This allows the entire sorority/frat know what is going on at all times. Not only do the Greeks play a major role in college life, but they are also a huge  society across the nation. 

I plan on studying this society by reaching out to the people I have and have not met from the Greek life , and asking them questions about their smart phone usage. I would like to ask them how long they spend of their smart phones per day, and how have they used their time beneficially/ harmfully. I think that since the Greek life is known for their crazy parties that they need some way to communicate what's going on between different areas. I  also would like to figure out how social they are in large groups or how attached they are to the phones. I believe that the Greek life across the United States is one of the main sources of being a technological based system. I believe this because of what I have seen first hand through my friends and siblings.

Studying this group of people will help answer my critical question by showing me how much kids my age use technology as a form of communication over face-to-face interactions. This will show me how the world is becoming more technological advanced, and more and more people communicate through their smart phones. I know that I'm only studying a small group of people,but I feel that studying this specific group will give me a better understanding of what affects does smart phones have on future generations. 

I will study specifically on how much people in the Greek life use their phone. I will ask them questions about how many hours they spend on their phone, how much data they use, and what the main reasons why they use a smart phone. These few questions will let me become aware of how they abuse/appreciate their devices. 

My relationship to the Greek life is very deep. I have most of my best friends from high school in frats and sororities,and also my family were all apart of the Greek system. Throughout my freshman year of college I befriended multiple people in the Greek life, and have become very close to them. I believe the Greek life is much like a sports team with the bonds they grow over the four years in college. They learn how to overcome diversity just as every other strong groups do in society. I think that not only is the Greek life nation wide, but also they are welcoming over others. I personally have been asked to join a fraternity numerous of times because of the relationships I have formed, but I was not allowed to because of my commitment to football. 

The four questions I would ask my ethnography group would be:
How often do you use your smart phone?
Do you prefer to communicate over the phone or face-to-face?
How do you use your phone beneficially?
In what ways to you take advantage of your smart phone?

My first observations are just how often are the Greeks on their smart phones, and what are they using them for. I would also notice how often they are on them when they are in a small group not socializing with the people around them, but with the people on their phones. 

The things I will be looking for in my observations are when and where are they using their smart phones, how are they using them, and what benefits do they get out of them. 

I will be using my computer to record the information I am observing/ seeing. I will ask them questions about their usage and how its beneficial/distracting. I will see what their main usages are and what their main distractions are. I will record the difference between male and female,and I will also see what is the most popular thing to use your smart phone for each sex.

Question Draft 2 and Artifact Free Write

In today's class I realized that my question needed to be revised slightly, because I made my first critical question to vague and broad. My new critical question is has the use of modern technology affected the American society in a positive/negative way. 

My classmates and I both agree on that my critical question fits all the criteria listed.

Personally Meaningful

This question is personally meaning full to me, because I myself encounter technology more then I would think on a daily basis. This leads in a positive manner for the fact that I can research information and and associate with my peers, and a negative way that I may be less social to the people around me.

Society

I believe the society and I are very much alike in the sense that we both encounter technology so very much in a day. As stated before, technology was created to better the world but at the same time is very easily abused by individuals.

Multiple Answers

Yes, I do believe there are multiple answers because everyone has their own opinions. I also believe that with this critical question you are capable of having numerous branching off questions that can be answered similarly. 

Further Questions

• Has the use of modern technology affected the social skills of younger generations?
• Has the use of modern technology affected citizens privacy?
• Has the use of technology helped/declined children's learning capabilities?

Too Broad

I do not think this question is too broad you can go into in detail into the answers you find, and not just have a strict basic answer. 

Too Specific

I again do not think this critical question is too specific, for the fact, that you can get and receive different answers from different lifestyles of people. There is not a specific answer to my critical question, but yet there are many assumptions by what you witness throughout the day.

Contains Value

I personally believe that this question contains a lot of value to me and the others who will be reading my paper, because it will show how the generations adapt to the technology and how people use and abuse it.

I can visualize myself engaging this question into my three writing projects because there are multiple artifacts that I can use to show/talk about the positives and negatives of the use of technology on everyday Americans. I think that the artifacts will help me bring my paper together as a whole and bring the American peoples' interest into my writings.

1. Cell Phones
2. Social Media
3. Computers
4. Movies 
5. People around me
6. Selfie by The Chainsmokers
7. Iron Man 
8. Pacific Rim
9. Apple 
10. Pornography

Out of the ten artifacts above the one that is used in the most positive/negative way in our American society is the cell phone. The cellular phone is proposed as the most useful and abused item of all technology. Cell phones have emerged over then last ten years from blocks that flipped open to now with touch screens, high end cameras, applications, all around internet, voice activated commands, etc. I and most everyone else who I encounter have an emotional connection with their cell phones. My emotional connection is my friends and family. With my cell phone I can interact with who ever I would like at anytime I need. I can use social media to see what is going on at what is happening in Omaha while I'm away in Lincoln. I have such a strong emotional connection with my phone that it is is the first thing I check in the morning and the first item I make sure is in my possession before walking out the door. When my phone breaks I tend to drop all my plans for the day to make sure I can get fixed or a new one. I personally don't know what I would do or how I would conquer my boredom without my cell phone. My practical connect to my phone is with me being away anyone who wants to contact me can with just a simple text message or phone call. I can also have the privilege of contacting my friends and family from different states and countries.  In the larger picture in society most all Americans have or use cell phones. With everyone having cell phones they interact with the positives and negatives that go along with cell phones. As cell phones become more and more as a necessity. Children of younger ages are getting cell phones, and the more charges are opening up to the public such as; child pornography, sexting, bullying, etc. These are just a few of the negatives and responsibilities that are connected into owning a cell phone. Overall, I think that invention itself is not a negative, but the user of the invention determines its worth.

Critical Question Draft and Free Write (blog 2)

Looking around the room what catches my eye and why?

• As I am looking around the living room in my new house many different items catch my eye for different reasons. The item that first draws my attention is the television. The reason why the television attracts my attention first is because it puts off a picture and sounds. I like to be around the television while doing my homework because i like to listen to what is going on in the outside world. The next major item that attracts my attention is my dinner sitting on the coffee table next to me. There are multiple reasons why my dinner attracts my attention.  The main reason that it catches my eye is cause I made it, and it looks so delicious and flavorful. On top of my cooking masterpiece, I have to gain weight for football. Gaining weight is not always fun but it is another step for me tone the best football player I can be. Lastly, the last thing that catches my eye is my phone. Whenever i hear a buzz or beep I tend to pick up my phone to see who is trying to contact me. My phone is not my biggest distraction, but when I pick up my phone I tend to lose track of what I was currently doing to explore my social media. 

What was I thinking about when I last showered and why?

• My last shower was this morning after football workouts. The first thought that came into my mind was, what are my plans for today and how am I going to use my time. This was my first thought because I knew I had breakfast, class, lunch, meetings, dinner, and the NBA finals game three. With me scheduling out my time helped me know what I could do in my spare time. The second thing was singing the song that was playing in the locker room this morning. Songs to me always bring back memories from the past that allows me to relive or remember the good/bad times I have had listening to that specific song. 

What was the last thing I was thinking about before I went to sleep last night?

• The last thing I was thinking about before I fell asleep last night was what time do I have to get up this morning, and what do I have to today. This is very common of me to think about the day ahead so I know how to use my time as wisely as I can. I believe that time management is very important because it is a key to be successful, and being successful is a very high goal of mine. After I figure out what the next day holds, I tend to think about family, friends, football, and girls. The reasons why these thoughts go in and out through my mind is because the people in my life are very important to me. I tend to think about the people I care about more often then not. I was raised to believe that you should hold the people you care about as close to  you as you can because you never know when they will be there for you or when they may be deceased. 

What was my favorite class in college/high school and why?

• My favorite class in high school was most definitely my strength and fitness class. I thoroughly enjoyed this class because I got to workout and be active. In this class we not only lifted weights, but also got to play many different sports that are played all across the world. This class was very stress releasing   and got my mind back on track for class after. My favorite class in college thus far would have to be library 101. I enjoyed this class because it did not require much work at all and it was very short term. This class not only had the perks of being short and not very difficult, but it also showed me how the library works and how to use the library beneficially. 

What is my critical question?

• The critical question I choose was, How might the use of modern technology affect the American society. The reason why I choose this as my critical question is because you can have many branch questions such as;  how the use of technology affects the social skills, I can go into detail about what age groups it affects most, and I can also go into what technology is the most abused by the American society. Technology has been a major part of my life, and it will be a major part of my future children's lives. I want to come to a better understanding about how the use of technology can be beneficial rather then a flaw.This question is very relevant to me because I was born into the technology generation, and I can already see first hand how less social we are and how kids my age can't stay away from their phones for more then five minutes. I have been around technology all my life, and I personally do not know where my life would be without it. I grew up with cell phones, game systems, iPods, and computers. Yes they can be very useful, but at the same time they can be very harmful to a young mind. The use of technology throughout my life has helped me research many many things and stats that I never would have known without the use of modern technology, but it has also led to me looking or playing things that I shouldn't have been doing in my early childhood. This question is very relevant to others in my society and community because they too grew up with it. They are going through the same, if not worse, affects of technology on their personal and social lives. Technology is taking over the world not only by what you post on the internet but your privacy. Back before the technology era privacy was more private. you would not have people listening in on your calls, social media, cameras, etc.  It is hard to do something in today's age without the world knowing. The government can see what your doing, who your calling, and what your researching at all times. This to me is very discomforting as a citizen of the United States, because in the Constitution it claims that you have the right to privacy. I think it will be very easy for me to do three writing project about this topic because yet the topic is broad it has many different branching questions you can add. I feel very comfortable with this topic because it will help me learn more about the topic of technology and give me a better understanding of the pros and cons. I personally do not have any concerns as of now about the three writing projects and the question I have chosen. I think that my topic will be very interesting when it comes to the research and the facts about the use of technology in the American society. I think this topic will not only help give me a better understanding, but also my group workshop when they read and correct my papers.

Introduction cont.

I am a writer who does not really enjoy writing much at all. The reasons why I write is to pass my classes, to get a degree, to remember things more easily, take notes, and to be an overall successful man who can support a family one day in the future. I do not enjoy writing because I believe a face to face conversation is better then an email, written note, etc. I think writing is useful in the medical field and when it comes to legal documents, but I personally would much rather speak to someone then to write to them. I feel a verbal conversation not only helps you get to know the person or persons you are talking to better, but it also gets the message out much faster and more clear.

Introduction (blog 1)

Hello, my name is Creighton Koley and I am 19 years old. I am currently attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to pursue my football career and my Business Management degree. I am a red shirt freshman on the football field and a sophomore in the classroom. I was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. I am the youngest child of my parents Tom and Kathy Koley. I have two older sisters, Nikki who is 24 and Keri who is 22. I also have an older brother named Ned who is 23. My family has always been very close to one another. We can sit down and talk to whoever about anything for hours if we can find time in our busy schedules to communicate. My mother and father were both raised as Catholics and have raised us four kids as Catholics. Therefore, faith is  a huge part of my family both internal and external.  Growing up as a child I was always busy playing around the neighborhood with the neighbor kids and playing sports. In high school i played football, basketball, baseball, and track. I was a three sport varsity letter winner, state champion, district champion, All-State captain in football, captain of the football team, and a two time 110 m high hurdle state qualifier. I thoroughly enjoyed playing sports and the atmosphere. I liked basketball, baseball, and golf, and track but my true passion was football. I have been playing football since I was seven years old, and I have always dreamed about being a Husker. Lucky for me, after my senior season playing football at Skutt Catholic High School my dream became a reality. 

Being a college athlete was always my top priority besides schoolwork. I trained very hard and always knew I was capable of playing at the FBS Division I level even if some people did not believe me. Once I proved to myself and my peers that I could compete at the highest level I knew I reached my first true goal in life. Now being where I want to be, I am starting to understand the time, sweat, and tears that it takes to play at the collegiate level. The thing that has surprised me most about being a student-athlete at the UNL is how much the Student Life Center preaches about academics and NCAA violations. I have always thought that once you are a collegiate athlete you could get all the perks with no responsibilities, and it did not take long for myself and other athletes that that is not the case.

Since I have been in college I have made many lifelong friends. I have enjoyed living on my own for the most part besides paying the bills. I feel like my high school to college transition has not been that difficult because I am still close enough to home that i can see my family often, and far enough away that I can have some personal space to really get to know myself. Lucky for myself that my two best friends from high school moved in with myself and a teammate of mine. I love how how open the team was into accepting me as a person, and how they are always trying to better myself as a man and as a player. I would not and do not ever regret coming to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.