The Internet as a Tool

By: Angela Dela Cruz

My name is Angela Dela Cruz and I am a sophomore in Stockton University, with a major in health science.  I stumbled upon this class because of the multiple requirements it fulfilled, but it also interested me because I wanted to learn how to expand my digital portfolio.  As someone who is constantly using the internet, it is apparent that social media is a means to network oneself and is a platform where my voice may be heard. 

The internet is a powerful tool that enables people to communicate to the world within a matter of seconds.  From talking to singular individuals to posting writings for hundreds to see, it has greatly altered how people convey their messages.  It is a fast and efficient way to obtain and give information through things such as social media.  In class we were introduced to sites that allow us to follow people of our profession, giving us the opportunity to observe and possibly interact with someone of our career.  We tested sites such as Twitter, where we followed five individuals of our future profession.  It was interesting to see what they posted and what they retweeted since it will soon be relevant to my life.  Twitter enables people of the same interests to meet, allowing them to market themselves and network through the internet.


Another site that I learned about for the first time is Schoology, and it is very user friendly.  With this platform everything is organized and I am able to see class materials such as links, the syllabus, and changes to assignments, making it effortless to navigate.  We are also able to see any announcements that the professor makes, making it efficient in communication.  In addition I had the opportunity to blog for the first time using the site Blogger, and I have discovered that I really enjoyed creating my first blog.  I enjoy writing about topics that I can relate to, and internet use is something significant to my life.  Using these tools, I am able to develop my Professional Learning Network (PLN) and expand myself through the internet more. 


With social media it is possible to communicate to people from any distance which opens more opportunities to meet new individuals.  The internet allows its users to market oneself, expand their horizons and open new doors which could change their lives, such as introducing new job opportunities.  Although productivity is ideally what the internet was made for, many abuse the great power that comes with having information at the tip of your hands.

In chapter one of the book 'lol...OMG!' by Matt Ivestor, he warns readers about the responsibility that comes with great power. The internet has only been present for about twenty years yet it has already accumulated a massive user population, causing a decline in conventional ways of research; i.e. the library.  With how effortless it is to search for information, I myself am part of the young demographic that uses the internet as a main source of data. This is a reason why the internet is so beneficial and appealing to the youth, and it also provides an endless stream of entertainment.  One of the beautiful things that comes from the internet is the entertainments and the art that people create.  From Youtube videos, to Instagram posts, to Snapchat stories, the platforms that people can create on are endless, however it gives people many ways to display negative things too.  

Today, major controversial and offensive things have happened revealing the ways people abuse the internet.  One example is a Youtuber named Logan Paul who went to extremes in order to gain views, facing backlash due to video taping a poor individual who committed suicide in Japan.  Logan Paul and his friends went up close to the body, laughing and disrespecting the individual.  From that video hundreds of people, even celebrities, have spoken out against his disgusting act and have asked Youtube to remove his account due to his insensitivity.  This shows the great power of the internet and how people take advantage of it, as well as the repercussions one has to face when publicizing their horrendous acts.  

Although some people are abusing the internet, there are productive and beneficial ways to take advantage of its efficiency.  In an article by Ellen Lague, she talks about how she is able to have chats and conversations with other teachers, allowing her to expand her Professional Learning Network.  Ellen states that the internet can be used to "tune in, connect to peers, or create and join".  By discussing important matters to people of her same field of work, this is an example of how using the internet allows many people to share their ideas and create more.

In the video of Sherry Terrell, she makes a point that twitter is a fast way to communicate, since it only involves 140 characters.  Terrell also says that it is important to engage, educate and report and that the majority of utilizing twitter should be based on engaging with other users and having conversations.  A part of networking is establishing relationships and that is why people should retweet other' posts, participate in projects, or use hashtags to partake in specific conversations.

In addition, teachers are also using the internet to advance their teaching methods.  Denise Richards from Saint Newport uses twitter to tell her students of any changes and events occurring in the school.  Students are also using twitter as a platform for advice from athletes such as Kelly Homes, who inspire and help them with training sessions.  With the use of technology and the internet, it can help "promote learning in a modern, fast-moving world'.