DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

 

INTRODUCTION


It is the 21st century and technology is the new thing. Almost everyone own a technological device and almost all are constantly on it which has changed the way that we interact with one another. The purpose of this study is to understand how college students perceive technology, is it a positive or is it a negative aspect of their lives?

BACKGROUND


When science began to flourish and theories were being discovered, tested, and approved came along technology. Scientists were able to discover many theories with the help of tools such as magnifying glasses, telescopes, and other gadgets used to record their findings. Soon more scientist began improving these gadgets which led to the invention of computers to keep databases, and the improving of gadgets continued even now in the 21st century. We currently have cellular devices, laptops, tablets, cameras and other technological devices that help us perform our daily tasks or just to keep us up to date with current and future events. Social interactions occur daily and it can be both consciously as well as unconsciously. Talking with a classmate you see in the halls or street and sometimes even glancing at a stranger is considered an interaction. The relationship between technology and social interaction is social media and the ability to communicate with one another through a screen of some device. Texting, emails, phone calls, video messages, facebook, etc are methods that require the usage of technology and is also a social interaction.


Resources

Caplan, S.E. Preference for Online Social Interaction. Preference for

Online Interaction. Retrieved October 25, 2014, from http://crx.saqepub.com/content/30/6/625.short

 

Forman, p. (2007, April 16). The primary of science in modernity, of technology

in postmodernity, and of ideology in the history of technology. Taylor & Francis.Retrieved October 25,2014 from http://tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07341510601092191#.VE-cfONSS9I

RESEARCH QUESTIONS


How Do College Students Describe The Way They Interact Via Social Media?

METHODOLOGY

 

Cultures are very complex. There are many things to focus on: language, social structure foods, music, and so on. In American culture technology is a method of communication that has changed throughout the years. Learning about how college students, who were born into the era where technology began to flourish, describe the way they interact with others through social media. To gather qualitative research about my question, How do college students describe the way the interact social via media?  I would do the following:

 

Gather a group of about 4-5 college students. I will ask those students who enter in groups into the Resource center located on the 8th Floor. I will ask if they are willing to participate and if they are then I will ask for their emails and give them a date and time (most likely during community hour because many students are available at that time), and inform them that this focus group will happen in the resource center because there are tables and enough space for them to feel comfortable. During the session, I will be both audio recording and taking notes to ensure that I have everything stated correctly and gather all of what they have said. To gather qualitative data the questions below will promote the college students to think deeply and answer the questions with more than a yes or no.

Questions:

  • What does technology mean to you?

  • What is technology?

  • What is social media?

  • When and how did technology come to flourish (history of technology)?

  • What is social interactions?

  • How would you describe the technology in your life (Using computers, laptops, phone, etc.)?

  • What does social interaction mean to you?

  • How do you describe the way you interact with others via social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc)?

  • How many hours a day or in a week would you say you spend on social media websites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc)?

RESEARCHER STANCE

Every day as I walk the streets, get on a crowded subway cart and go on the elevator I realize that many are using technological devices and I wonder what are they doing that is so interesting? Guilty of also falling into this norm, I developed the question that leads to this research, how do college students describe the way they interact socially via social media? As a college student, gathering evidence to support or answer the question proposed is necessary because it gives you credibility. With these focus group I hope to gain rapport with the college students by talking about myself and making them feel welcome, and letting them know that they can say anything that they want and if they do not feel comfortable then they are free to leave the session.

CONCLUSION

 

In the end, I hope to learn how college students view technology and compare it to the way I view it to better understand whether technology is a positive or negative aspect to society. In addition, understanding the relationships that exist between technology and social interactions.

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.