This is the course website for English 314, Sections 12 and 13, taught by Quinn Warnick at Iowa State University during fall 2009. Please refer to the policy document and syllabus, found at the top of the center column, for more information about this class. Updates to the syllabus will be posted several days in advance, and any changes to the readings and/or assignments will be reflected in the summaries for each week.
Online Identity Self-Assessment
Based on our in-class discussions this semester, I think it's safe to say that all of us, to one extent or another, are living our lives online. Before you begin working on Unit #4, I'd like you to complete the following tasks and answer the related questions:
1. Google yourself. If you have a common name, Google your name AND your home town (e.g., "Quinn Warnick Ames Iowa"). How many "good" results does this Google search return? In other words, how many of the results are actually about you?
2. Try to find your address and phone number using Google or an online telephone directory. Are you listed?
3. Go to Facebook; if you're logged in as yourself, log out. Then search for yourself. If you have a profile, is it listed? Next, find a person sitting near you who is not your "friend" on Facebook, and have him or her search for you. How much information about yourself is available to other Iowa State students?
4. How comfortable are you with the amount of personal information that's available to others on the Internet?
1. Google yourself. If you have a common name, Google your name AND your home town (e.g., "Quinn Warnick Ames Iowa"). How many "good" results does this Google search return? In other words, how many of the results are actually about you?
2. Try to find your address and phone number using Google or an online telephone directory. Are you listed?
3. Go to Facebook; if you're logged in as yourself, log out. Then search for yourself. If you have a profile, is it listed? Next, find a person sitting near you who is not your "friend" on Facebook, and have him or her search for you. How much information about yourself is available to other Iowa State students?
4. How comfortable are you with the amount of personal information that's available to others on the Internet?