Information with extra Blogs

Hello again readers. Today I have a rhetorical analysis for you all. I found two interesting blogs discussing topics similar to our discussions as well.
This first blog entitled Information Overload? Time to Relax Then discusses information overload on a personal level rather than the Internet. He uses ethos by giving examples of his own personal experiences with information overload in news feeds to build credibility with his readers. He uses the 'I've been there' method to gain trust. He uses logical explanations like "anything really worth seeing wouldn't just appear once and vanish", to show readers that important information won't pass them by. From here he explains how it is easy to backtrack on the important topics and read what one wants to read. He argues logically that this method is sufficient to catch any truly interesting information. He then transitions this method to how he uses it in his email, giving the reader an idea as to how they can too manage their information overload in their daily lives.  He also downplays the credibility of inbox letters by saying " not [to] worry about missing the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity lurking somewhere in one of your inboxes – it'll be around again shortly." If we filter information, the important stuff will keep cropping up is his overall take away message.
Blog number two I have for you readers is called Information overload: Do you ever take a break from technology? and derives its resource for information from the referenced book. This blog begins by explaining the title of the book and the overall idea of the main idea of the book. Because of this Shakespearean reference, the author seems more credible for already understanding the book before the reading it. It is largely agreeing with what the author of the book says about information today and subtly encourages the reader to buy this book. The author of this blog uses many quotes from the book to increase logos. This blogger also poses questions to the reader to draw them in to the blog and get them thinking about their own life in relation to what this book says. The book's author, Powers, says the blogger offers guidelines such as "He sets forth some rules that his family lives by and explains how turning off the Internet and smartphones all weekend every weekend offers peace and quiet to the household." An intersting idea. All in all this blog makes the book sound very interesting and it may just be a great read!
If you are having problems with information overload as well I hope you will seek a book similar to this one or try managing better your online habits. Until our next meeting, enjoy your digital coffee.

Multitasking with a sprinkle of negativity

Today readers I would like to propose a somewhat new train of thought for our topic of "Information Overload" pertaining to the Internet. Think about how many times a day you get on the computer to look up information about one particular topic or something you need help on. Twice a day? More? I know I go to the Internet for nearly every question I have these days, even just random thoughts. How often do you do this while multitasking? You remembered that you needed to look up something while you are in the middle of cooking dinner, or perhaps in the middle of doing homework. I've done this my fair share of times. Multitasking makes many people feel like they are getting more things done more quickly in this fast paced world, but is it really all that beneficial. More often than not things like the Internet, meant to speed our work along, side track us into doing other things. For college kids, facebook, is a major issue. Many adults get online to look up something and get side tracked by an interesting news article only to discover fifteen minutes later they hadn't accomplished their original task.
Things like this is what makes multitasking so ineffective. It seems more efficient to sit and focus on doing one task until it is finished rather than completing a little of this and that yet an our later nothing is completely done. I want this post to challenge you readers! The next time you catch yourself trying to multitask make a list and write it down. Don't get distracted my Internet multitasking, but actually accomplish the first two things on your list and see if you don't feel like you have gotten somewhere rather than doing a little of a million things. With this caffeine filled cup I leave you readers. :)

Scholarly Mocha Latte

Today, readers, I propose a scholarly article I found for your benefit discussing the concept of more or less technology in the university classroom. The trusty TAMU Library research database led me to this article, which I find most intriguing. It discusses the idea of bringing more or less technology into classrooms through a survey conducted of business students. Rhetorically this article is very neutral and clear in explaining the purpose of the study. Students were asked to a series of questions based on whether their current class uses a moderate amount of technology or little to no technology. Most of the classes responded that they would feel the need to attend class more if technology were removed from their class, probably due to most teachers currently posting notes online. Furthermore students are less willing to take a class with little to no technology, indicating that college students may be too dependant on the use of technology for learning. Students in this study also felt that they would learn more and be able to take better notes if professors used technology such as power point. The study indicated that students in classes of using technology would overall disapprove of removing it while classes without technological use would like it to be brought in. The author notes that this study needs to be expanded to be truly accurate in learning how the use of technology can enhance the university classroom. I would like you, readers, to ponder this article further and think about what these results mean. Is the college classroom benefiting from the use of technology or are college students using technology as a crutch? With this thought I leave you until my next brew of digital coffee.