course material

1. Computer mediated communication | BSCOM330 Computer Mediated
Communication | University of Phoenix
Minimum of 175 words for the answer to each questionwith 1 scholarly reference per
question (APA7 format): Reference- Van Dijk, J. (2012). The network society (3rd ed.).
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. 1) The textbook describes several societal values that computer-
mediated communications are affecting (and will continue to affect), including social
equality, safety, quantity and quality of social relationships, and the richness of the human
mind. Give examples, both positive and negative, from your own personal or professional
life of how computer-mediated communications such as email and social networking can
affect each of this values. Overall, do you think computer-mediated communications are a
benefit to society or a threat? What suggestions can you offer to minimize the negative
aspects of computer-mediated communications while preserving or increasing the positive
aspects?2) According to the textbook, computer-mediated communications do not reinforce
oral, written (printed), musical, or non-verbal skills–the very skills that have historically
been associated with scholarship, innovation, and creativity. To what extent do you think
computer-mediated communications may, or are, causing these vital skills to decrease in
populations who use computer-mediated communications most heavily? What
compensations, if any, do computer-mediated communications offer? Give as many concrete
examples as possible to illustrate and support your views.3) Although computer-mediated
communications are often examined from the standpoint of consumption and
entertainment, they also affect politics and elections, education, and the labor market–both
in the U.S. and around the world. Share concrete examples, both positive and negative, of
how computer-mediated communications can or do affect the political process, education,
and work. To what extent do the examples change if the people affected do not live in the
U.S. or another developed country? If they are not wealthy enough to afford reliable access
to computer-mediated communications? If they do not have the education necessary to be
able to participate in the online job market?4) In its infancy, the Internet was often
described as “leveling the playing field” in terms of content production and consumption.
Rather than newspaper and book publishers, radio and television stations, and movie
studios controlling the information people see (and how this information is presented), the
Internet was “free” — anyone, theoretically, could post and access any information
desired.And yet the information we see today is still controlled; it’s just controlled by
different companies–and at a level of granularity unheard of just a few generations ago.

2. Today, according to the Pew Research Center, over 45% of all Americans get at least some
of their news from Facebook. And accessing information through the Google search engine
is so common that the verb google” was added to the Oxford English Dictionary over a
decade ago.Discuss the effects of consolidating access to information from many publishers
and media outlets to just two or three. What effects might this have on democracy? On
education? To what extent do you think most people understand that the information they
see on Facebook, Google, or other popular sites is managed or controlled? How do you think
this perception changes how people view or use the information they obtain through these
sites?5) The textbook notes that “the rich are getting richer” with regard to the Internet;
that is, social and informational inequality is rising, not lessening, due to computer-
mediated communications.What proof does the textbook author provide to support this
statement? To what extent do you believe the statement to be true? Give concrete examples
to support your view, and suggest at least one change you believe would increase the
benefits the Internet provides to those “poor in resources.”