Month: February 2024

The brain & Avoiding the noise

🧠

The human brain houses very complex systems.Imagination,thoughts and that inner voice are constant occurrences inside our head.Writing is a way to encapsule these thoughts to avoid deletion from your memory.As a student writing is a part of my everyday life and it’s something I really enjoy.Personally I’m not very fond of books and reading as a whole but writing is definitely therapeutical and can even be fun sometimes.When writing I usually encounter many distractions that make my thoughts disappear into thin air.Finding places where I can avoid this is very important and can affect  my productiveness and performance.I tend to write when I’m in what I call “the zone”.To me this is almost like that rush of productiveness we get randomly at 3AM when we think about our life and feel like we aren’t doing enough.You know exactly what I’m talking about.When I’m in “the zone” creativity is flowing through my brain and I can avoid writers block seamlessly.Everything comes so easily and this is when I usually jot down ideas and try to formulate the organization of my thoughts.Most of the time I go to real quiet,personal spaces to write.My room is usually the place where I can write with total silence and little to no distractions.As I said before this is important to me as a writer and definitely a key part to my writing formula,other people might need more complicated resources to be the best writers they can be,and that is fine.To me it’s as simple as quiet room+pen+paper.

A victim of modern society’s internet

In the article “Is Google Making Us Stupid” by Nicholas Carr he states that the extensive use of Google and the internet is leading to a decline in the attention spans and capacity for deep thinking among individuals in Western society. According to Carr, constant exposure to different digital tools impacts our abilities. Particularly our engagement and attention span with long written content. additionally, he mentions that easy access to online information may contribute to our short attention span and our preference for surface-level information rather than extensive writing. ultimately affecting how we process and comprehend information in the modern era.

I consider myself 100% a victim of Google and the internet. I cannot stand reading lengthy written content, and I don’t remember the last time I read an entire article in just one sitting. I catch myself looking for websites that read the content to me and I take my headphones and prefer to listen while I do something else. My attention span has reached an all-time low and I am not sure how to fix it. Because my first language was not English, I’ve always found reading difficult and I have always said that if a written piece was in Spanish, I would be able to understand and pay way more attention, but now it does not depend on the language and I realize sometimes while reading, I don’t remember what I read just 5 minutes ago.

Most people cannot gather information as they used to anymore due to how easy we have access to look up any question online, this also goes hand in hand with human nature and it is that we seek convenience. but I know for other people who have always liked to read now it’s become in some way harder and as Nicholas Carr mentions “deep reading that used to come naturally has become a struggle”.

My mind is going

Nicholas Carr’s commentary on search technology and the subsequent results of the convenience of said technology has stuck with me because of how much I can relate to what he is saying. The things that are happening because of how convenient it is to get information are things that people may not pay attention to, I certainly paid it no mind, until Carr spelled it out in his article.

I used to be a big reader and you could often find me in my room sitting with a book until I finish it. Recently however, even though my enjoyment of reading has not gone away, my attention span has. I find myself reading shorter stories online instead of a proper novel. I have novels at home that I would like to start, but can’t seem to find the energy or appropriate attention to do so. This is also shown in how I approach most readings for my classes. Even if the reading is interesting, I find myself just naturally skimming the page and skipping words even if I don’t mean to be doing so. I even remember asking my mother, who reads a lot of books on her kindle, how she reads so fast. How does she do it you might ask? Yup, she skims the page.

In terms of how we interact with knowledge on a daily basis, there is also the fact that instead of reading the textbook pages to help you solve a homework problem, you may google the question and find a quizlet deck with the answer. Most people cannot sit and gather information how they used to, it needs to be quick and snappy and I myself am honestly one of these people as much as I hate to admit it. Will I pick up a book sometime soon, honestly maybe. But as far as this technology goes, as Carr says “I’m not thinking the way I used to think.”

Technology make us better or worst?


Nicholas Carr’s commentary explores the significant impact of search technology and the Internet on our reading habits, cognition, and interaction with information. This topic particularly resonates with me, as I’ve only recently discovered a passion for reading—a pastime I previously found little joy in and seldom devoted time to. Initially, I struggled to concentrate on texts, but as my interest in reading grew, so did my ability to focus. However, I’ve also noticed how easy it is to become distracted when one lacks motivation or interest in the material at hand.

In instances where I need to conduct online research for any reason, my patience wanes, and I seek out straightforward answers. This tendency has only intensified since I began using ChatGPT. Now, when I’m in search of specific information, I’m even less inclined to undertake a traditional Google search because ChatGPT provides direct responses.

As a member of the new generation, I’ve also entertained the notion that I could learn much from TikTok, attracted by the platform’s quick videos that succinctly cover various topics. I suspect I’m not alone in this belief. Yet, I eventually realized that none of the information retained because the rapid and effortless manner in which it was presented and received did little to facilitate genuine understanding or long-term memory.

Brain’s Are Basically Computer Chips

The article does a good job explaining how the internet is rewiring our brains. I do find myself being in the same situation where I have little to no attention span anymore then I used to. Finding myself to rely on the internet and making it be a factor in my life, both personally and academically. There hasn’t been a point in my life where I didn’t go “I think I should Google it.” And Carr isn’t wrong about the long term impact, everyone will only have the mental capacity to only rely on the internet because they’re basically programmed to do it. It is scary to think how much of an impact the internet has on everyone and it’s only going to grow. No more having the energy to go to a library to find a word when you can simply do that on your phone, which would always be another factor to the low attention span because why work so hard for something where you can simply do it with a tap on the phone.

Writing with Technology

I think it’s inevitable at this point in time to incorporate technology into our writing. Personally, I find a lot of usefulness in the technologies I use for my writing. I store most of my writing on Google docs simply because this is where I started my writing. I also find websites like easybib and scribblr to make citations easier for me. I’ve had to manually form citations for tens of sources in highschool, and it’s a tedious task that these sites automate for me. I rarely use ChatGPT but I haves used it to outline long papers to identify the main points of a reading. When I need to read lots of sources, this saves me time but doesn’t cost me any understanding. Additionally, I wouldn’t have access to any “outside” sources that classes sometimes mandate for papers without a laptop or the internet. I think technology assists in the organization and the process of writing, but the rest is up to us. Most resources just save time or allow for storage.

Computers and Pencils

After reading Dennis Baron’s article, I was able to grasp a better understanding of different technologies and tools that I can utilize throughout my writing process. The two most common tools I use to help articulate my writing are a computer and a pencil. Both tools are used almost every time I write a paper or something in general. After reading, I noticed and learned that computers allow people to create their thoughts cleanly and precisely. When I use computers, I have different apps like Notes App or Excel that I can use to help present my information thoroughly with illustrations. If I have a research project, then I can find quotes or information and copy and paste them into the Notes App so that I have a list of examples to use to write my paper. When using a computer, I can type much information faster than a pencil, which allows me to articulate more information at a time. Having different accessible apps to articulate a good paper helps me tremendously. Another tool that I have used numerous times is the pencil. Using a pencil as a tool is something that I feel is very important to me when writing a paper. Something I have learned that works best for me is that when I am writing down information rather than typing, I notice that I better understand what I am writing. Everyone seems to have similar interests with different technologies to use for writing purposes, but everyone has their ideas of how they each help them.

Writing in the Digital Age

As Baron discussed, technological advancements have influenced literacy practices in recent years, especially since the widespread adoption of the computer. Technology has certainly impacted my writing practices. It provides the basis for my writing and is useful for editing and refining my work.

One application I frequently use is Google Docs. It provides a digital space to store and create my documents. I usually write my essay drafts and class notes in this application. In contrast to physical papers that can be damaged or lost over time, Google Docs is able to safely store documents for prolonged periods of time. I can retrieve my 7th grade biology assignments despite having written them years ago in a different country, something that would have been difficult to accomplish without technology. Another feature I enjoy is the synchronization between various devices. As long as I log into the same account, I can access my work from virtually any device in the world connected to the internet. In a sense, my work will always be with me and will be easily accessible. This also introduces flexibility since I can edit from my Google Docs app on my phone while laying down in bed, which would have been difficult to do using paper and pen. I also enjoy its collaborative interface that enables multiple users to edit and write simultaneously. If the writing was done on paper, it most likely be more time consuming and limit the number of editors, ultimately effecting the quality of writing. 

For similar reasons, I enjoy using the Notes app. It supports collaborative work and stores documents for extended periods of time. I still have access to the French vocabulary list I studied in middle school. Like a notepad, I can easily open the Notes app and jot down notes and ideas. I also like the simple and minimalist design of the platform. Other applications that have multiple features can be distracting when trying to focus on writing down ideas on a document, so Notes provides a simple solution to this issue. 

Lastly, I would be lying if I said I do not use AI tools for writing to some extent. When it comes to generating, summarizing and organizing ideas, applications such as Chat GPT can be very useful. They can produce excellent work in seconds, which is why many people in the work place and school have been using them. Relying on them excessively will only be detrimental to building your literacy and writing skills, but using it as a guideline and a stepping stone to continue on with a writing project can be extremely helpful. 

Technology & Me

One technology that Dennis Baron mentioned in his article was the computer. Computers have definitely played a role in how I have written. I remember since elementary school that I had to use the school computers to practice writing and up until now, I have always been using a computer/laptop to write. In high school, my teacher would require us to use their writing process which includes brainstorming, drafting, self revising, peer revising and then a final draft to complete essay assignments and I have stuck to that writing process. I usually do all of these on my laptop because I find it easier to edit than by using pencil and paper. It is easier and neater to delete a word on my Google document than to erase a word on my paper. Sometimes, I use my ipad and a digital pencil to brainstorm because I want to draw out the brainstorm bubble instead of typing in lines on Google Docs. On my ipad, I use an app called GoodNotes. I prefer GoodNotes, but I know there are some other apps such as Notion and Notability. When I need my peers to revise my writing for me, I just have to share my document with them through email. I find this to be better than if I wrote on paper because my handwriting could be messy and they might not understand it or I can’t understand their handwriting so I would have a hard time reading their comments. On the other hand, adding comments on Google Docs is way easier to read because the comments automatically go on the side, which doesn’t block any of your words and you aren’t burdened by their handwriting. All in all, computers or digital devices in general have supported me throughout my writing journey. Without the help of computers, I believe I wouldn’t have been able to write as efficiently. 

My Journey Navigating the Digital Writing Realm


“In the digital writing era, the computer has transformed literacy practices, shaping our language and communication”

– Dennis Barron

The process of writing has changed dramatically in a world where the click of a computer has replaced the scratch of pencils on paper. When I think back on how I write, I see that I can move between digital and physical media with ease, and each has its benefits for my creative writing.

The Pleasure of the Tangible

There is a certain physical quality to the feel of pencil on paper. I enjoy the ease with which I can scribble ideas, do simple sketches of outlines, and record important points in a notebook in the beginning. This tactile method gives me a genuine touch, letting ideas develop naturally without the pressure to edit and modify too soon.

The Tech Landscape

Writing technologies have evolved beyond word-processing tools. I particularly use Grammarly every day and find it extremely useful, it makes proofreading easier, while note-taking applications help me keep my thoughts organized neatly. These devices are useful tools that improve my writing process significantly.

The Future

Technological innovation has brought about disruption within every area of human life. Artificial intelligence more so than ever is automating previously human tasks such as basic writing promts, writing code, outlining essays or responding to emails. As every previous invention, AI is meant to boost human efficiency, making everyday task easier, leaving humans with the only part of us we cannot replicate – the creative, inventive aspect which made these inventions possible in the first place.

How technology changed my writing process

After reading this article I notice different methods of the use of technology and saw that I use it in my everyday life. I take notes whether it’s on my computer or handwrite it on my iPad. Also just checking everything through my writing assessments, notes and even my schedules. Technology really changed everything before things would be hard to write down or just take notes whenever I needed too. Plus this is very helpful if I made any mistakes with my grammar I can use an app just incase of anything. Everything is mostly in my google Docs this also helps me save a lot of time with assignments it just makes everything fast and easier for myself and others. As time goes on I know technology will advance much more and become easier in any way it can be. The more it advance it’s better for everyone and it makes things move faster as well.

Navigating Technology In My Writing

After reading Dennis Baron’s article, I recognized several technologies that fit my daily writing process. When writing, my process often consists of taking appropriate notes, making a couple of drafts, revising, and then completing my final paper. When starting my writing process, I use my Notes app to write down some of my ideas and take notes that will be useful later on. The Notes app, for me, is easy and accessible almost anywhere I am. If a good or inspiring new idea comes to mind and I am away, I can write it down quickly without waiting until I get home. If I am already home, then sometimes I will write my thoughts down on paper because I find more comfort and ease in that rather than taking out my laptop. Furthermore, I often use Google Docs or Microsoft Word when writing my drafts. Both sources include spell check and organizational tools, which help me revise my papers. Using these tools with built-in features to help me modify my work saves me a lot of time because it usually highlights mistakes I made and corrects them for me. Without these features, I would need another person to read over my paper to check my grammar, but these tools do it for me. These different technology sources help me write all my thoughts down while always being able to delete, add, or revise without restarting. As technology advances, I want to see how future students use these tools to incorporate them into their writing processes.

School sucks… sometimes

I’ve struggled with school and classes for a long time. There’s always been classes where I never enjoy learning, doing the work, or even just showing up to class. In James Gee highlighted the rigidness of school and how fixed of a system it is. With focuses on just reading letters to sounds, with no attention to social circles and how others may not understand as well just based on the circles they’re in. This is just one of the many ways school remains rigid and restricting. I’d always thought maybe I just don’t enjoy learning, but this isn’t true. I spend my time outside of school constantly learning, whether that’s, training for the Olympics, working in restaurants, or even finding good spots to eat in town. All of these things I do because I enjoy them. But why can’t I enjoy school? I believe the answer lies in the fact that I do enjoy school. But only specific classes that come along. Especially with the way majors are structured, I’m forced to take certain classes. Over the years I feel that I’ve built a resentment for classes that are required and I’m the slightest bit disinterested in. Yes sometimes we have to do hard things, but at some point the amount of classes you’re forced to do adds up and it becomes not worth it anymore. This is also present in video games. But the ability to pick and choose as well as follow genres and games you find familiar and enjoy create a much more enjoyable experience and I find myself coming back and enjoying my time. Maybe I have to change my degree like I would change games in hopes of finding something I enjoy and would come back to.

Discovering Different Dimensions in the fashion world


Discovery is the main entry into human intelligence.Passion drives you to want to discover,connecting your mind and heart assigning a common purpose.The learning principle that resonated the most for me in reading “What video games have to teach us about learning and literacy” by James Paul Gee was the Discovery principle.For as long as I can remember fashion has been one of my main interests and a big part of my life.I enjoy watching fashion shows,reading fashion articles and of course love browsing online looking at pieces I want in hopes to spark the manifestation.When quarantine came along in 2020 it was incredibly hard for me to feel productive.When I notice i start having too much free time day to day i like to look for things to keep me occupied.I thought to myself I love clothes,I’ve bought and sold clothes but I haven’t created them yet.After days of pondering one day I decided it was time to start creating.The easiest part for me was putting ideas onto paper and envisioning designs,the hard part was bringing them onto physical form.I didn’t know anything about manufacturers and had little knowledge about textiles and materials which are the most important things in the fashion world.I realized I needed to Discover.I was so passionate but didn’t know where to start.I tried contacting people I knew who owned their own brands to no avail.The gatekeeping was insane.I realized I had to do it on my own and that’s exactly what I did.I read articles and watched countless videos,researched manufacturers and contacted them for quotes and policies.When the math was right and I finally found a manufacturer who understood my ideas everything was so much easier.Something that seemed impossible in the beginning was finally coming into fruition for me and now i see that it would’ve never been possible without the Discovery principle adhered onto my fashion literacy.

Yoga Wisdom: Uncovering Self-Discovery and Learning Paths

“Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.

-The Bhagavad Gita

The journey of the self, through the self, to the self is comparable to yoga’s path of reflection, focusing on self-discovery and personal development in the context of learning and literacy. Yoga provides me with a range of skills that can improve the way I learn in many ways, including relationships, emotional control, and social interactions. The 16th learning principle by Paul Gee, known as the “Multiple Routes Principle,” resonated with me the most. The freedom and elasticity described in this principle perfectly align with my philosophy on learning. Through my Yoga Teacher Training and personal yoga practice, I have discovered and explored a specific kind of literacy that is now integrated into my daily life and cognitive abilities, just as literacy extends beyond words on a page, my yoga practice means more than simple physical exercise. The Multiple Routes Principle blends in with the structure of yoga, where I explore various paths through postures (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama), and, most importantly, meditation. Discovering my unique style, strengths, and weaknesses is an evolving journey demanding patience, determination, and self-understanding. The Multiple Routes Principle describes an experience much like yoga, encouraging me to navigate both positive and challenging aspects, ultimately providing insight into myself and the world around me.

Yoga has taught me to be open to selecting my own methods. It matches my interests, whether it’s about finding comfort in various poses, focusing through breath awareness, or modifying my practice. I take several paths on this journey, encouraging independence as well as growth in the ways that work best for me.

Multiple routes

James Paul Gee’s Multiple Routes Principle summarizes that different methods are available for learning. If one is not seeing progress with a certain method, try a different method. I found this principle most relatable. For instance, in my first year of college, I was a biology major and I had no idea how I was going to study because all I have heard about this major is how difficult it is. I went to the lectures and took notes as fast as I could so I could get every piece of information from the professor. However, I realized that I was getting more and more lost after a few lectures. I was stuck on the homework assignments as well. Some of my notes were messy and I ended up not being able to understand them. After that, I tried listening to the professor without taking notes and audio recording so I could take notes later from the recording. This worked for me as I was starting to understand the lectures better. I learned that this method is best for me to learn biology since it is such a heavy course. Taking notes from the recording allows me to focus on the initial lecture. My notes were also more organized because I could control the recording. I didn’t do this for my other courses because they weren’t as difficult as biology. As a college student, I think exploring different learning strategies is important for growth and success.

What does this do?

The learning principle from James Paul Gee’s “What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning & Literacy” that resonated the most with how I learn, is the probing principle. When I was in middle and high school, our teachers had us take a survey to see what type of learner we are (visual, auditory, kinesthetic, etc.) so they could use that information to help accommodate the class. With these surveys, and this information was by no means new to me, I ended up being a kinesthetic/ visual learner.
This relates to the probing principle in that I need to do something and try it out to then piece the puzzle together. I am also more of a math than English person, and to do math I can’t really explain it, I need to “probe” it and see what happens so I can eventually get to the product. In a video game context, in open world games or rpg’s, etc. you will see me talk to every npc to try and pieces stuff together. At times I don’t even pay attention to tutorials in the games, mainly because a tutorial can only do so much for me. I need to form my own hypothesis or come to my own conclusion by trying it out myself.
As Gee says, probing is to do something and then form a hypothesis based on that, and then do something again. In a video game context if you try and talk to a certain character you might get a piece of the storyline. You keep that information in mind, and talk to another character to see if the story you have in your mind plays out. For the math example, I would try out one method as to how I think I could get the answer. If it doesn’t seem to be working, I adjust. Either I try something new or maybe the original method had me on the right track and I change it a little.

Practice Principle

Out of the 36 learning principals “Practice Principle” stood out to me the most because it’s something that I can relate to the most. He highlighted “Learners get lots and lots of practice in a context where the practice is not boring”. Which to me means you get to do something you love by practicing it over and over to get better and you don’t get bored because it’s something you enjoy. This is something I do everyday which are two main things for me swimming and organizing. Swimming is something that I love to do and I just want to get better everyday for myself. By organizing I get to plan everything out and with more practice I get better with organizing things around and if something goes wrong I know I would try and figure things out for myself.

Practice Can Lead To Success

After reading James Paul Gee’s work, one of the learning principles that I can connect most with would be the practice principle. This learning principle explains that with more practice and experience with the things that interest you most, you can succeed. This principle works best with me in numerous ways, including school, work, and almost everything in my life. With school, if I do not understand a topic or something going on, I would just continue practicing different problems or ask others for help until I completely understand what I am learning. The learning process can be challenging and take time, but constant practice can help you understand. With a lot of practice with things that interest you, you can provide a better outcome than a topic with no interest. For work, I would pursue as much practice as possible to try to level up at the establishment. Without trying and putting in the effort, there will not be a successful outcome; however, more effort and practice put into the job can entail a better future with something I enjoy. Also, learning something can open your mind to new ideas that may not have been thought of, and more practice and experience can help you pursue what you enjoy. We continuously learn whether we are interested or not, but with more practice, a better understanding of something can provide a successful outcome.

Practice Makes Perfect

James Paul Gee’s practice principle highlights that it is significant to practice things you are interested in. Gee indicates that those spending lots of time on certain tasks that they enjoy and consistently practicing things that do not bore them will ultimately lead to their success. The practice principle resonates with me the most because I use it most frequently in my everyday life. I would like to say all the skills I have acquired are through practice. I believe everything I have gained a deep sense of knowledge on I have done so through thorough practice over a prolonged time. When practicing something boring or of little interest to you, staying motivated and wanting to advance in the task becomes hard. I enjoy drawing and painting. However, this skill did not come to me overnight. It took consistent practice and redos to finally achieve pieces of art I am satisfied with. My interest in getting better motivated me to continue making sketches, whether they came out how I wanted them to. This artistic literacy takes time and practice but allows me to understand the necessity of “trial and error.”Gee also mentions the ongoing learning principle, which, in my opinion, is necessary to ensure success. Our minds and ideas constantly grow as we grow; thus, we never stop learning. Personally, an example that relates to my daily life would be trends and social media in general. As time moves on, social media and trends continue to change, which, in turn, we adapt to. When social media evolves, and new media is created, I grow with it and unlearn old habits to get used to new ones. Developing a mastery of a certain skill by using ongoing learning and practice goes hand in hand. You need both to be successful, and both consist of working on something that gives you purpose and redefines what that purpose means to you.