Chapter Eight

So, just now looking at the email from Mr. Gentile, I realized that I haven't posted this blog. So here goes.



Chapter Eight: Security Issues, Ethics, and Emerging Technologies in Education

The chapter begins with viruses. I was aware of the concepts of viruses, but never knew exactly how to discover them. I also, being slightly paranoid, often suspect that my computer may be infected. I enjoyed learning about the different types of viruses and ways of keeping my computer safer. I also was familiar with the concept of hackers and unauthorized computer use, though I never have experienced this firsthand. About passwords, nowadays programs are requiring us to make our passwords mroe complicated, usually mroe than 7 characters and they require a number. The FSU passwords require one of the Shift versions of the numbers in their passwords. I really like the idea of computers with biometric devices and possesed objects, even though I have never encountered one. I learned some from system failure. The desktop at our house used to fail frequently, and sometimes wouldn't boot; we'd have to reinstall the software and lose all saved files. I still haven't learned the cause for this. We had a surge protector, and now use backup disks, as the book recommends. There was alot of information in the "How to Safeguard Personal Information" section that I'd never heard before, like blocking your number from caller IDs and requesting free copies of medical records once a year. I've encountered phishing and spamming, more in myspace than email. All of the acts and laws are helpful to the people, though boring to read about. I think the third type of objectionable material, incorrect websites, is the most frequently stressed in school--they constantly lectured on making sure the site was good to use. Also, filtering software made me laugh, because our county used one: certain websites weren't allowed, such as Google images. We overcame this obstacle by going to Google.ca--Canadian google. The health issues worried me, because I fear that our generation, as a computer using generation, will develop Carpul Tunnel Syndrome or RSI. I think some days already I have suffered from CVS, Compiter Vision Syndrome.

I haven't really learned anything new this week.

Do any fellow classmates know any good antivirus programs or firewall programs? Thanks!

Chapter Six

Chapter Six is about integrating technology into the classroom and curriculum. It specifies taht technology should assist the curriculum, not command it. Technology helps teachers have "teachable moments," when students are interested and more open to learning. Technology can help teachers appeal to different learning styles. Technology can provide ways for students to connect to the material and engage in Authentic learning, or become interested and be part of active learning. The internet is one of many ways that students can work together in cooperative learning. Teachers have to plan with how many computers are in the classroom or the availability of a lab. The ASSURE model are guidelines for developing instruction htat integrates technology. Then it talks about how teachers should choose technology depending on the school.

I am now fairly familiar with powerpoint, including nonlinear powerpoints. I can use it on both Office 2003 and 2007.

Nothing to say to the classmates.

Chapter Five

Chapter Five: Integrating Digital Media and Educational Software Applications
Digital Media is greatly impacting the way people perform a variety of activities, including those in the classroom; digital media can revolutionize the classroom and the way students learn. Digital media applications are used in education, business, and entertainment. They can help teachers enhance their lessons. They also allow students to interact in ways that help then learn. I like the use of simulations that could help students learn about many things that they might not otherwise encounter in real life. In many other aspects of life, digital media is becoming more involved. Electronic books are now becoming available, and many how-to guides and manuals are online. Newspapers, magazines, and journals are producing digital publications, available online. Educational Software Applications are computer programs that assist teachers in teaching. They have become more numerous in the past few years. They exist for all grade levels and virtually every subject. Digital media presentations are also common. I recall using a large interactive whiteboard that could be "written on" in my calculus class in high school.

I've finally begun to acquire PowerPoint skills. I managed to make it all high school without using PowerPoint, but now I'm becoming familiar with it. I think this is going to be helpful because in many presentations PowerPoint is used. I will now be able to use it to assist my lesson or for students' use in the classroom.

Nothing new to share with the classmates, except have a good week!

Chapter Two (post #4)

First of all, I thought the part about telecommunications was interesting, just because I took speech last semester and we talked about how telecommunications has recently become such a major form of communication. And although I had heard of LAN I wasn't familiar with WAN. I really didn't understand the part about Internet2, or its purpose. I was also surprised to learn that the World Wide Web and the internet were actually not the same thing, because the WWW is part of the internet, although it makes sense now that I hear it. I've never seen VR on the internet, or so I think. Maybe some games. "More than 500 years ago, Johannes Guttenberg developed a printing press that made the written word accessible to the public and revolutionized the way people shared information." I think I've heard this before, on an episode of Boy Meets World. I've thought abotu it before, how much easier we have with the internet, and how much information we have at our disposal. Overall, I found the chapter interesting.

I'm still learning the Dvorak keyboard, sort of as a hobby. I haven't acquired many skills since last posting that will be useful as a teacher, except that I'm now aware of the abundance of materials, like lesson plans, that are online.

And, for random to the rest of the class, if you want to know how many words per minute you type, go to Typingtest.com, a site that allows you to test that. I just found it interesting. Have a great week, everyone!

Post #3

Chapter Four: Hardware for Educators. Well, the very first part, about system unit made me think of the Apple Computers from elementary school and how we have progressed to system units built into laptops and such. Impressive. I liked reading abotu all of the different parts of a computer, it was alot of terms I'd heard before, some of which I was familiar with, only in more detail than I'd ever had. Most of the input devices I've heard of, although I'd never really considered joysticks and such when thinking of them. Other than that, I've even used most of the input devices. As for output devices, I never really thought about Televisions as an output device, but I knew about the other types. I knew of most of the storage devices, I just never have heard the term optical disc. I also didn't know about smart cards.

I have learned how to use Inspiration 8.0, which is a very interesting program. I can see its practical uses, but I'm not a fan of concept maps, personally, although I did enjoy how it turned concept maps into outlines for me. I also decided to see about the Dvorak keyboard, and made it so that I can use the Dvorak or the QWERTY keyboard with the click of a mouse. I can't type at all fast with the Dvorak keyboard, but it's fun to play with. That's about all I've learned this week.

Nothing really to say this week to my classmates that I haven't said yet, but if I think of something I'll let you know.