5 weeks into a hybrid class....

As many of us can agree, the main reason for taking this class was due to a writing intensive being required. I have never been a writer, or a very strong writer, it has never been my favorite thing to do.

After attending a college prep school for 4 years, and now in my junior year of college, I still dont believe that im as strong of a writer as I could be. Yet, i'm okay with that. I know what my writing sounds and feels like and it only adds character as to who I am when posting on websites, or even writing assignments for other classes.

This class thus far has shown me that you don't have to be a scholar of a writer to get your thoughts across to someone else. I don't need to use big words, I don't need to try and over achieve my writing because then is lacks personality. Online classes are a way for me to break out of my shell and just show who the real Haley is.

I have no shame for my grammar, my abbreviated thoughts, or my lack of writing skills.  This class has given me an opportunity to show my interests, give an idea of who I am, and what I'm all about....all while discovering new and more exciting ideas in my head.

I dont feel pressured to "speak up" when the class is online. I have always been a very quiet person when it comes to the classroom, and this gives me a way to voice what I want to say without feeling awkward about what I think.

Online classes are quickly proving to be the way to go....especially for me, who spends the majority of my day on the computer.

Profile Me...

When it comes to who I am online I try to keep it as real as possible, yet at the same time whenever I click into the internet I tend to take on multiple personalities.

For instance, instead of using my last name on most of my profiles, I use my middle name. Most of my "online friends" know me as Haley Adele, rather than Haley Fowler. I feel like it adds character to myself, and it flows better when people ask who "that" is.

Ive also discussed previously how I'm a promoter, so there is also a business side to my online personalities. I have that side, the talkative blunt self, and the onlooker who just sits back and clicks the mouse while browsing random useless websites to waste time.

I feel as if many people have more than one "self" online. They're all an idea of who you are, but when its behind a computer screen you can take on roles you dont really want to take on in real life. People create these profiles to "get to know you" but in reality you cant really get to know someone by reading a few paragraphs. You actually have to interact with people, and thats the cool thing about the idea of the world wide web.

There are some dangers with online profiling though, because whatever you put up, or whatever is posted is there forever. You never know who is "viewing" you at any given moment, therefore allowing problems everyday in identity issues.

The internet can be a fun place to promote yourself, but you have to do it in a safe way and always be aware of what and where you're posting things.