I just finished my job as discussion leader approximately 10 minutes ago so the experience is still fresh in my mind. I think that this was a positive experience for both myself and the rest of my group because it especially helped to study one of the subjects we are studying in class more indepth so that we really become more of an “expert” on this specific area. It was really great because during the lecture today before we did the discussion leader portion I found pieces that were relevant to my own power point on the digital divide of generations (the internet accessibility and the elderly). While I was presenting my slide show I went back and referenced the idea of “public spaces” where the elderly could access the internet and the difficulty of navigating through sites for our newspaper project and how this is even more difficult for those with disabilities (especially in the elderly population). It was amazing to me how many different forms of digital divide and accessiblity there are to research; everything from age, economics, race and geography. Overall I think that this was a positive experience to research the digital divide in more depth, share new ideas and topics with my peers (in which we could all relate), and of course re-learn how to do powerpoints (since I hadn’t created one since sophomore year of high school!) I think that the groups I presented to really understood what I was talking about, and although I wish I could have made the experience more fun, in the time I was given I think that the point was given clearly and effectively in a manner that everyone could relate, discuss and respond too easily.
