Post #4

Chapter 2 talks about different ways to communicate, the Internet and networks. One thing that I learned was what LAN and WAN stands for. Whenever I use my wireless connection I see those and didn't know what they meant. But LAN stands for local area network and WAN stands for wide area network. I also learned that the Internet has been around since 1969. The main purpose for it back then was for military and scientific use and to be stable enough to function even after a nuclear disaster. I thought that that was very interesting because most people including myself don't think that the Internet was around for that long.

One new skill that I have acquired since last class is how to search for things properly on the Internet. Who new that there was a correct way or a way that would get you better results. I learned that if I want to search for a specific phrase of word that I should put it in quotations. I also learned that the 'I'm Feeling Lucky' button will take you to the most relevant site for what I searched. I also learned that there is much more to Google than it's searching capabilities. Google has a phone book, currency converter, product search, book search, and even something called Google Scholar. This tool will probably be useful in the future. What it does it searches through scholar journals, books, articles and more. One of the more useful things that Google has is Google for Educators and this just gives some ideas to help out teachers.

One thing that I would like to mention is something that happened about a week ago at the University of Florida. Senator John Kerry was speaking at the school and when one student started questioning Kerry things got out of hand. Only seconds into the student asking Kerry a question the student starts responding to someone asking him to leave the stage. The student never got violent or rude or hostile in anyway. If anything the student appeared to be passionate about the matter. Well, because the student didn't stop talking he was not only taken forcefully off the podium and handcuffed but also tasered in the back of the room. While all of this is going on all the student is saying is what did I do why am I being arrested. What for having freedom of speech, for feeling passionately about a certain matter. I feel that his rights as a student and human being were extremely violated. the situation should have never gotten out of hand like that and I am extremely upset about the whole thing and feel that we should be aware about things like this happening as college students.

Post #3

Chapter 4 basically talked about some of the terminology associated with computers. Most of it was pretty basic and if you ever owned a computer know about because you were curious about some stuff and figured it out on your own. One thing that this chapter talked about that I thought was interesting was the differences in optical disc. Mostly all of use them but I doubt we know what disc can do what. I learned that the difference between a disc just having a 'R' versus a 'RW' is the ability to erase something on the disc which is only for the 'RW'. Another thing that I found interesting was something called a smart card. Before reading this chapter I have never heard of one before but that seems to be because it's mostly used in the medical field.

Recently, I read an article talking about how technology will improve Ethiopia's education system. The article gave support and also stated some pros and cons. But one of the cons that caught my eye and that the article seemed to brush by was the fact that technology may be more important than teachers. Here we are in the 21st century and while yes technology may be helpful I don't think that it should ever be a replacement for teachers and/or textbooks. The article even though it talks about education in Africa, hits close to home for me. I saw this because are we failing to realizing that technology may one day take over and replace one of the prestigious and important jobs on this planet. I hope not because that would make a lot of people jobless. I think that it is nice to be knowledgeable about technology but I don't ever think that it should be a replacement for a teacher.

One new piece of technology that I have learned since the last posting is this new program called Inspiration. This program does all kinds of things and useful things that will make learning and studying in the classroom easier. This program allows you to make concept maps, outlines, and diagrams just to name a few. This program would be extremely useful in the future when I become a teacher because I will be able to brainstorm with them and teach them how to make an outline with this program. Also we as a class can make maps and diagrams together. Also this program has really neat graphics.

Post #2

One of the websites that I visited was called "Math In Daily Life." I think that this website will contribute tremendously in the future for me because in math class especially there is always one or more students that asks the question 'how are we going to use this in the real world.' This websites gives multiple examples on a wide range of topics. The examples include probability, to area, to money, and even exponential growth and cooking. With this usual website I feel a math teacher will always be able to answer that question no matter what the grade or subject. I enjoyed it so much I even put a link up on my blog.

Some new skills that I have acquired since last class are being more hands on with word. Because of the new assignment we have I have had to become extremely familiar with columns and personalizing a newsletter. In addition, I learned how to add links to my blog page. So far I have two links. Microsoft Word is giving me some trouble but hopefully with the useful links that Mr. Gentile gave us I will hopefully be able to get through it and eventually master it.

I felt that all of the links were interesting. I didn't even know that there were resources like that available. I am so thankful to live in a society that is advanced enough to have a tool such as the Reading Pen. This tool does so much for almost every learning disability. It makes a word bigger, it can spell aloud a word and say it. The Reading Pen even can be used by either left or right handed students and has a version for ESL students that translates words. This pen is extremely innovative and useful.

Post #1

Chapter one talked about a lot of interesting techniques of how to integrate technology into the curriculum. One thing that I found interest was how far technology has come. When teachers asks for sources now they no longer just asks for printed sources. Now you can use websites or on-line journals and even still get printed sources from the Internet. This technique deals somewhat with integration literacy. In addition, the book talked about digital students. Prior to college I would have known nothing about this but since coming here technology seems to be the only way to communicate with teachers and fellow classmates.

Since last class I have learned a lot of new skills. This is mainly do to the training we had to do on SAM. I learned a lot of new things when it comes to word that I never new existed. I learned how to insert different types of charts and and makes things in 3-D. I also learned how to add a picture to my blog and personalize it.

So far this class has showed me how behind I was when it came to the latest technological advances. Prior to the class I had heard of a blog and read one. I had no idea how in depth they were. You can do so much from the color to the format to even putting up a picture. I also didn't realize how much of a necessity that technology is when it comes to learning now a days. Without I really don't see how a teacher will keep the students motivated and keep in contact with the parents and community without it.