Presentations: Day one Argumentative Paper

Sheila: Gender Roles & Social Media
I liked the comparison between the different sites but was intrigued with the Star Dolls site. The fact people actually pay to look virtually better tells me vanity has made the transformation successfully to VR. I thought your presentation was well constructed with the focus of how gender presents or is perpetrated upon users. I wonder if gender is so innate that it can’t help but rear itself no matter the forum. Club Penguin is interesting in that attempting to establish a genderless sight seems to equate to perpetrating gender upon the user anyway. Giving the option of not having gender seems to invoke the need to find it through other means. I think exploring how the different genders “find” each other in the genderless arena is fascinating! Good presentation!
Maurice: Mobility & Agriculture
I found this presentation interesting as the farmer breathes the ebb & flow of life more so than most. I like how one piece of technology can rule the fields. I think you have good supportive resources and have thought through your project well. One thing that might be interesting is to see how local farmers in our region utilize technology, and do they value it versus the traditional ways that farmers have relied on for hundreds of years. I think some of the class suggestions on how they monitor soil and irrigation through technology would enhance your presentation. James made a good comment on how certain crops demanded higher levels of technology. That might be worth exploring as well. Great job!
Corrinda: Educating through gaming
I thought your presentation and research project is awesome! It is interesting how video games are so integrated with learning strategies, and many people cannot grasp that concept. I like that you’re turning this into a lesson plan, difficult! The memory game was a great interactive component and I particularly liked where the class began shouting out help for Dena in her quest for matching dinosaurs. That showed support that gaming incorporates learning and it takes cognitive processing skills. I think it would be good to incorporate studies of traditional learning modalities to newer strategies for contrast. I like that your comparing Gee to Gardner, that will give continuity to your paper. Great job!
Kathy: Politics & Social Media
I like your general concept of how Obama used social media to gain presidency over McCain. I think showing the strategies of how he used the internet to communicate his message is good. I was somewhat confused on your argument regarding traditional methods vs. the internet technology. I think Julie’s question regarding “So what?” is important in that what is so special in the process he used. That would be a great focal point. I think you have good sources and can derive and fine tune your argument further. I also like your statement on how politics have become a marketing campaign but how has that changed? Your background on Dean is supportive. I think you have a good start to your paper. Good job!