Assignment

QUESTION 1

To create a solution, first you must identify the problem. It sounds simple, but most people prefer to call the plumber before trying to understand why the sink is plugged. For your initial post, log the steps of your own personal experiment using the scientific method. You must conduct one physical experiment and share the results by uploading a photo of your process. For your response, offer an alternative hypothesis to your classmates result. Your response could even be an alternative experiment! Save your media in this exercise, because it could be used in your final project!

Respond to this...One common problem that I identify in my personal life would be computer hardware problems. I have built two computers and both have had their own quirks where they don't work properly. On my latest computer I installed an after market CPU fan to solve my over heating problem. After the installation, my new CPU fan had this rattling sound. I was worried at first and made sure the fan wasn't shaking on the CPU (which would break my computer if it was) and it wasn't. I thought that maybe a wire was getting hit by a fan blade so I moved around the wire that was connected to the CPU fan out of the way, and the fan was still rattling. Which meant the problem was something with the design of the fan and I decided to fix it the easy way. I bought a new fan to replace the one that was making noise.

QUESTION 2

Remember our question from the reading this week? We're returning to it here.

As we already know, social media affects our lives. A 2010 Pew Research Center Study found:

• Social networking sites are increasingly used to keep up with close social ties.

• The average user of a social networking site has more close ties and is half as likely to be socially isolated as the average American.

• Facebook users are more trusting than non-Facebook users.

• Facebook users have more close relationships.

• Internet users get more support from their social ties. In conjunction, Facebook users get the most support versus other social media platforms.

• Facebook users are more politically engaged than most people.

• Facebook revives "dormant" relationships.

• MySpace users are more likely to be open to opposing points of view.

Are people with these attributes drawn to the social media they use, or do they develop these characteristics because of the social media they use? It's a classic research dilemma - which came first?

Think about this in your social media use. What kind(s) do you use? Why? What do you think about the attributes listed above for different social media users? Write a good, thoughtful response to the question above using examples from your experiences with social media.

Respond to this... Although I don't necessarily think these attributes fit everybody perfectly, I feel a majority of people are drawn to the social media they use rather than developing these attributes. It doesn't mean they don't develop the characteristics listed, but there is usually a reason people start using social networking sites. Some might have to develop these characteristics for professional purposes since social media is becoming a larger part of corporate marketing.

I first joined Facebook to keep in contact with friends from high school who I didn't have contact information from. I now use it for event planning, sharing photos of my family for family and friends, and trying my hand at witty Facebook comment comedy. I use LinkedIn for professional networking. I will connect with coworkers and friends to try and branch out contacts who I can gain knowledge or information from.

I think a lot of the attributes listed can identify with users from both sides of the question. Some people started using social media to keep up with past or "dormant" friendships while others developed close relationships with those who shared the same interests as them through group pages or what not. People could have been drawn to Facebook to help promote their political agenda while others could have become more politically engage after seeing how many people agree with their views on politics. I find the trust issue a little strange because I know of people who have quit Facebook because they didn't feel like they could trust that their information was being kept private.