Comm-211 Blog Spring 2025

Rethinking the Digital Native: Comfort Doesn’t Equal Competence Marc Prensky’s concept of “digital natives” versus “digital immigrants” paints a picture of a world where students raised with technology are fundamentally different in how they think and learn. According to Prensky, this divide has created a challenge for traditional education, as many older teachers (digital immigrants) still rely on lecture-heavy instruction, while students today are more engaged through visual, interactive digital content. I’ve seen this divide firsthand. I would be considered a digital native—though I didn’t grow up with constant access to devices, by high school, smartphones, internet access, and social media had become a regular part of my environment. I naturally turn to platforms like YouTube or Google to understand material before reaching for a textbook. This shift in how students seek and process information is part of what Prensky describes as a change in “thinking patterns.” Today’s students...

At the beginning of the school year, I met Ivan in one of my classes. We were grouped together for a couple of projects and ended up chatting before and after class. During one of those conversations, we realized we both liked fishing — mostly trout and bass — and decided to plan a trip sometime. That one trip turned into a few more over the semester, and we’ve built a decent friendship outside the classroom. Looking at our relationship through Knapp’s Relational Model, I’d place it in the Intensifying stage. We moved beyond surface-level small talk into more consistent interaction — not necessarily deep personal sharing, but enough that we check in, make plans to hang out, and talk about things beyond school when we do meet up. Fishing has been a good way to build that connection naturally, without pressure. Online communication has played a role in keeping this friendship going. We use messaging apps occasionally to plan meetups or share something quick, like a fishing report or a p...

  Facebook and Mental Health: Tool for Connection or Catalyst for Loneliness? In today’s digital age, Facebook is more than just a social media platform—it’s a space where people connect, communicate, and construct their identities. But its effects aren’t the same for everyone. While some users report feeling more connected and supported, others experience loneliness, anxiety, or even depression. So what determines whether Facebook has a positive or negative influence? A big factor lies in how we use it. Passive scrolling through highlight reels of others’ lives can lead to toxic comparison, leaving users feeling inadequate or isolated. In contrast, when Facebook is used to engage in meaningful conversations, share authentic updates, or receive support from friends, it can boost self-esteem and reinforce a sense of belonging. Another important element is the user’s mental state going in. Someone who’s already feeling lonely may be more likely to perceive online interactions as ...

 My Name Is Jake, I am a psychology Major with a minor in tourism, recreation, and adventure leadership at Oregon State Cascades in Bend. I grew up in the beach town of Half Moon Bay, California. It's right in between San Francisco and Santa Cruz. I now live here in Bend and love the change from the beach to the mountains. I took one interpersonal communication class here at Cascades and I definitely liked it. I primarily use Instagram and Discord for my online communications. Instagram allows me to keep all of my friends up to date on what is happening in my life by posting slides and stories that they can watch. I use Discord to talk in groups with my friends from back home while we play videogames, and to stream movies to the group for watch parties. One interesting fact about me is that I caught 7 species of freshwater fish in and around Bend in one day last week. Attached bellow are a piece of cut art I made of a Spawning Salmon, and a link to a post I recently made on Instagr...