My Emerging Media Course @ Devry University.
I begin an eight-week journey into learning about emerging media at Devry University, along with 28 other individuals who were doing the same. As I close out my junior year with my studies, this has been an interesting class that has taught me a lot about current augment realities that are delivered to us through devices such as our cell phones, tabs, displays, glasses, game consoles, etc., in order to make our current interaction with technology easier and accessible. I have learned that in order to bring a project to life, it often takes crowd of individuals who believe in your project to help bring it to fruition. I have also learned that with the ease of technology comes at a price, as we become more addicted to social media platforms where we indulge in sharing information about our lives, from selfies to personal soliloquies aka statuses about our current emotional state. We have given up our individual data because it is the “in” thing to do in how we communicate with each other, all to push technology one more giant step further to support delivery of augmented realities. I can honestly say it has been an interesting eight weeks to say the least.
When I initially looked at the syllables for the course, I thought I would be building an application for my senior portfolio. However, the course offered much more in terms of an understanding of the applications that are developed and deployed today. The underlying foundation as to why the need for application(s) are being developed, that these applications serve as an extension of the user habits and communication amongst other users. I was presented with stimulating discussions with my professor and peers to dig a little deeper as to why we all experiencing innovation in the making with augmented realities through all the various media formats.
What I have learned initially in taking this course, is my understanding of crowd funding was limited and really did not understand what it was used for. I had heard the term tossed around in various conversations, but never really took a deeper look into what crowd funding was about. I learned that there are tons of talented individuals who are developing, designing and implementing ideas through sites like Kickstarter. Where developers, designers and artists rely on the help of total strangers to believe in their ideas, by supporting the idea through crowd funding. I have learned some really cool companies like Ouya, a video game console got off the ground through crowd funding and is now got the attention of other game console makers (and consumers) in delivering the consumer a choice in consoles.
I have also had some really great discussions surrounding privacy of big data and how important it is that companies and governments safeguard the consumer’s personal data and that it should be treated in such way that we treat all sensitive personal data. Not to mention, that as consumers we should be mindful of the data we put out there in the first place and understand the fine print when it comes to the terms and conditions of application and social media. We as society cannot just put the responsibility of protecting big data on companies and governments alone. We need to share in the responsibility and help companies and governments shape policies that will protect and manage big data going forward. By taking this course, I am now more aware of the kinds of data that my user habits produce and how that data is managed for applications.
My key take away from taking this course is that it has sparked an interest in big data from analytical perspective. Within my current career path as development software tester, I am dealing with large datasets and taking this class has help me understand where that data is coming from and how the data is being used. This is a crucial understanding for those (myself included) who are managing, developing, testing and maintaining datasets for applications for critical systems.
In conclusion, I am looking into possibly going for a graduate certificate in big data, after I have had a mini break from my studies. I feel that big data has open the door for new opportunities and I would like to be a part and ready when opportunity comes knocking on my door. Lastly, I did not think I would take to blogging and I have come understand why those who do blog enjoy it. There is something intriguing about putting your thoughts out there for world to see and perhaps discuss. I plan blogging more and I am sure I will have more thoughts about technology and my role in it.