This post is a unique one in that it does not have to do with what I usually write about. I found a scholarship online that I wanted to enter. All I had to do was write an essay answering two questions and publish that essay on my blog. The questions are 1.) How has the Internet shaped your educational career thus far? Provide specific examples. 2.) Explain drawbacks, if any, to the Internet and its role in your education.
Hope that you enjoy the essay! Leave a comment telling me what you think.
The Internet: A Blessing or a Curse?
We are living in the information age. One hundred years from now kids all over the world will read about this age in history and hear about it in class. This is the age where you can think up any random question, type it into a search engine on the internet, and find a thousand different answers. The internet is at once a blessing and a curse. A blessing in that it is a valuable tool when looking something up for a college paper or even just out of curiosity. A curse in that it is so very easy to waste your time surfing the web, messing around on Facebook, or pinning pictures on Pinterest.
Personally, the internet has been both of these things to me. Because I write poetry and stories (and am working to make a career out of it), I often use the internet to help me find synonyms, antonyms and the like. Also, I have done much research on the internet trying to find specific details. One time, while I was writing a story, I needed information on Central Park in New York. Since I have never been there, it was necessary that I find out what Central Park was like in order to make it as realistic as I could in my story. What I discovered about it was fascinating. I had no idea that there was an Alice in Wonderland sculpture in Central Park. Engraved in granite, circling the sculpture is Lewis Carroll’s “The Jabberwocky”. This poem was a favorite of the sculptor’s daughter. Also, the Bethesda Fountain has some intriguing tidbits of knowledge to offer as well. The name “Bethesda” refers to the fifth chapter of John in the Bible. In this chapter, an angel comes down to the pool of Bethesda and gives the water the ability to heal. The angel overlooking the Bethesda Fountain also holds a lily in one hand, which signifies purity.
I remember several other occasions when the internet has helped me. However, one that really comes to mind is when I was doing research for another writing project. I was curious about the Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower actually has two restaurants in it! The Le 58 tour Eiffel and Le Jules Verne. There is also a post office on the first floor. Quite interesting to think about, isn’t it? However, these are just a few examples out of the many that I have. I found all this information by simply typing in a few key words and clicking “Enter” on the keyboard. All the information at our fingertips is truly astounding. A hundred years ago, none of this was available. Even fifty years ago, calculators weren’t even accessible to the public yet. But now anybody can find out anything they want to by simply a few keystrokes. Any and every question can be answered within seconds of the asking.
Though the Internet does help enormously with research it does have a few unfortunate drawbacks. Everybody has a Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest page nowadays. Personally, I know I have spent way too much time there. Not as much as some friends of mine, but still too much. Might I just point out that Facebook serves absolutely no purpose in our lives except to socialize? The same goes for Twitter. Pinterest is a bit different. It can be utilized in helping to plan out events such as parties or weddings. However, I am quite certain that most people (like myself) treat it more like a game than anything. I have yet to use it for planning any special occasion. Pinterest is a fun place to go and see pretty pictures as well as read cute quotes. Also, other than random, amusing information, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest have no educational worth whatsoever.
Despite all this, I am so thankful for the internet. Without it, I wouldn’t have known all the things I know today because of the research I have done with it. Nor would I be able to write my stories as quickly. I believe I have used the Internet for nearly every paper I’ve written since seventh grade. From research papers, to book reports, to science projects, to presentations needed for various classes in school, the Internet has been involved and has helped me in furthering my education for many years. I know that as I endeavor to write more stories and create more poetry it will continue being a great help in my life.
Thanks for reading! Hope that you liked it. Remember to leave a comment telling me your thoughts. Also, if anybody else wants to enter here is the link, http://www.internetproviders.com/internet-scholarship.html. But you had better hurry! The deadline is August 15, which is tomorrow.