Electronic Life vs Real Life

Electronic Life vs. Real Life

The online environment opens up a world of possibilities for people to lead a “second life.” They might use a social networking site such as Facebook or LinkedIn, post on a political message board, go to a sports chat room, or participate in a role-playing game like World of Warcraft. People have the opportunity to create their own online identities, which may be the same or very different from their real-life personalities. In this Discussion, you weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each type of life—real life and electronic life—and take a position on what makes one type better than the other.

To prepare for this Discussion:

• Review the social networking websites and technologies suggested in the learning resources under websites. What are some of the benefits of participating in online communities and social networking websites and technologies? What are some of the drawbacks?
• Read the four articles listed in the resources. Why would some people find living in the electronic world more attractive than living in the real world?
• You will be assigned one of the following positions for this Discussion:
  • Electronic life is better than real life.
  • Real life is better than electronic life.

With these thoughts in mind, your assignment is to:

Post by Day 3 a 200- to 300-word response supporting your assigned position. Please support your statements with at least two examples.

Be sure to support your ideas by connecting them to the week’s Learning Resources, and  something you have read, heard, seen, or experienced.

As you write your Discussion, use the Week 5 Discussion Rubric. A rubric is a guideline for evaluating your work. This rubric (found in the Week 5 Discussion area and under Course Information in the left navigation bar) is in the form of a checklist. Your Instructor will also use this rubric to grade your Discussion. If you want to earn the most points on this Discussion, be sure to address all aspects of the rubric.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings.

Respond by Day 5 to at least two of your colleagues’ postings who were assigned the opposite position as yours in two or more of the following ways:

• Ask a probing question.
• Share an insight from having read your colleagues’ posting.
• Offer and support an opinion.
• Validate an idea with your own experience.
• Make a suggestion.
• Expand on your colleagues’ postings.

Note: A good response usually has at least 50 words and does more than just compliment a fellow student on his or her post.