When asked to briefly sum up my experience in Digital Democracy this quarter and compare it to my expectations, I must admit I’m a little bit challenged.  To begin with, did I have a preconceived notion?  I suppose I did.  Would we discuss and analyze current political discourse?  Would we explore the use of the internet during the 2008 campaign?  Would be review past elections for insight?  Would I learn another technique for using social media.  Would I finally acknowledge that the internet is a revolution?

…Well on that last part, probably not.

That being said, I did learn something I hadn’t expected.  Specifically, during election night, as I was tweeting news results, I suddenly felt like I was a part of it.  What ever ‘it’ is.  I can’t say that about previous elections.  Normally I would have voted and put the whole process out of my mind.  This time I feel like my participation mattered.  In the past I wouldn’t have spent the evening watching and waiting for each new announcement.  I certainly wouldn’t have been communicating with my peers.  Or with the other people tweeting that night.  I would have filled out my ballot, and went home.  Done …end of story…next.  I wouldn’t have thought that I made a difference, at all.  I’m not suggesting I did make a difference this time, but I really felt good about myself and the democratic process.