Evaluating your Online Services

What you need to do... Write a mini evaluation for each online service Look at the pros and cons of the service How has the service improved our lives How has the service made our lives more difficult Overall, do you think this type of service is beneficial to society? Final evaluation Take into account each of your mini evaluations On balance, do you think online services are good or bad for society as a whole?

Mini Evaluation Example: Pros: Easy to use Easy to communicate with friends Easy way to organise events, share photos & videos Get back in touch with long lost friends Fun Cons Can be addictive/take up a lot of time Contributes to increase in leisure time spent on-line People have “virtual” relationships rather than real relationships Open to abuse, cyber-bullying, propaganda, has led to murder (!) It’s just a cynical marketing tool Contributing to a decline in written language

Mini Evaluation Example: Generally Speaking, facebook is a fun and simple way to interact with friends and family It does not replace real life personal interaction Like anything, if used in moderation it can be rewarding, however over use can lead to negative effects on indiduals/society Be aware of ID theft, marketing, etc.

Final Evaluation Do you think we were better off before the internet? Do the negative aspects of the internet outweigh the positives What do we need to change in order to get the best from the internet?