Computer Essentials

Using Technology in Education

2010-03-16T13:11:00.001-04:00

What is your reaction to this video?

Technology News

2010-03-02T12:11:00.001-05:00

Since the consumer electronics show in January there has been lots of exciting news in technology. This week I would like you to find an interesting article and post a link to it here, along with your thoughts about the article (what it is about and what you think about it) then read an article posted by someone else and comment on it. I found several articles about new gadgets and tools, so you have lots to choose from!

2010 - First Blog

2010-02-09T07:35:00.000-05:00

In this class we will read and contribute to this blog as a course requirement. In order for the blog to be useful and meaningful it is important that each of you contribute thoughtful comments that not only address the topic at hand, but also create a conversational and interactive community for our class.

Today I would like for you to tell me and each other what your experience with "blogging" is. Do you read any blogs regularly? Have you ever contributed to another blog before? Do you have your own blog? Do you think blogs could add significant value to other school curriculum (explain your answer)? Feel free to include other related information and/or opinions you have about blogs.

Kindle - Can it Be The Next "Big Thing?"

2009-09-28T10:59:00.002-04:00

I'm not even sure you guys know what Kindle is, but some people are really excited about the possibilities of this new techo-gadget. The kindle allows you to download books and other print materials (like newspapers) to the device for reading. Since you can have the device anywhere, it makes it very convenient and, so far, the experts are saying it is easy to use. Now they want to add apps to the Kindle (like you can have with iPhones).

Read the following article and let us know what you think. Will apps help Kindle? Is Kindle something you might want to have in the future? Do you have a Kindle? These are just some of the things you can comment on for this topic.

Kindle Article

The Future of Music

2009-09-03T10:04:00.004-04:00

In your lifetime the music industry has changed dramatically. Artists have been faced with a declining market for hard copies of music (CDs) and the controversy of how to deal with illegal downloading of music. Where do you think the music industry will move to in the future? How will artists ensure they will be able to survive in the changing global and electronic market?

Music Technology: Controversies

Blindsight

2009-04-03T07:42:00.002-04:00

I have a great friend who suffered from an aneurysm rupture which led to a stroke. She is 41 and now has to re-learn everything! Walking, talking, eating, and seeing! When I read this article it made me hopeful and just in awe of the true power of technology.

Technology is not just about learning how to use software, read the article and let me know what you think the power of technology is...

Blindsight Article - Discover Magazine

Music Videos

2009-03-05T08:04:00.002-05:00

Ok, I NEVER thought I would say this, but I am completely clueless when it comes to what your generation is into...YIKES! Well, that being said I thought I would get your input on this article:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10188600-93.html?tag=mncol

It is about YouTube creating a music video site. What do you think about this, is it something you would use, do you think it would get enough traffic to lure big advertising dollars to the site? What are your thoughts in general?

Remember, since this is just your second post to this blog, it is important to create a conversation about the topic so try and respond to other points being make by the other students.

Getting Started With Our Class Blog

2009-02-06T07:39:00.000-05:00

Science & Technology

2008-11-20T13:08:00.006-05:00

This is a recent story from 60 minutes. Watch the video and share your thougths about this new technology.

This link is for video only:
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4564186n

This link includes written article:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/31/60minutes/main4560940.shtml

How safe are you???

2008-10-22T08:59:00.002-04:00

If you have a My Space or Facebook account how safe are you with your pictures? What are the safegaurds you have in place? Do you know who is viewing your pics? What kind of pictures are you posting? Also, can you take back a picture that you post or is it posted forever?

Check out The Wayback Machine, this is a website that allows you to search for web pages that have been archived and saved...like your Facebook or My Space pages.

Share your thoughts and respond to other's thoughts.

PODCAR

2008-10-14T09:47:00.002-04:00

Please read the article "City hopes to shuttle people in futuristic 'podcars' " from CNN.com Then share your thoughts on how technology could be the driving force in solving our energy crisis (foreign oil dependency and pollution). Do you think podcars will help? Is it a step in the right direction or a waste of time and money? In what other ways can technology help our economy and/or our environment?

To Wiki or Not to Wiki

2008-09-18T07:35:00.003-04:00

What is all the fuss about Wikipedia?? Many teachers ban it from student use, but does that stop students from using it? In your opinion what are the pros and cons of Wikipedia and how do you use Wikipedia?

Welcome to Our Blog

2008-09-03T15:03:00.002-04:00

Final Blog - Semester 2 ~ 2008

2008-06-18T07:41:00.001-04:00

Artificial intelligence is the science that attempts to produce machines that display the same type of intelligence that humans do. Do you think humans will ever create a machine that can think? In your opinion, what are the social implications associated with artificial intelligence?

History of Computers

2008-04-14T10:41:00.000-04:00

Choose a moment in the history of computers that you think is important. Share the details with us and also tell us why you think this moment in history is so important. Don't forget to comment on what your classmates say too!

Some hints for you on this one. The history of computers has some key people who were very important before the first "real" computer was really ever created. Some people who were important were Charles Babbage, Herman Hollerith, Ada Lovelace just to name a few. Then we moved into the "generations" of computers. Right now there are 5 generations of computers...during each generation there were significant changes and advancements that occurred.

Wikipedia....Good or Evil?

2008-03-03T11:49:00.000-05:00

Visit the web site Wikipedia. Explain what Wikipedia is, make sure you are specific about what kind of web site this is. When explaining the web site please make sure you explain what open source means. What are the pros and cons of using this as a source when researching something for school? Look up at least one topic using Wikipedia and give a review of site using examples from your experience. Do you like it? Explain why or why not. When giving your opinion of this site you can also share how other teachers address Wikipedia. Do you think it should be banned totally or are there times when it really is a great resource? Also, don't forget to add thoughts on other student's posts when you create you comments.

Think Before You Post

2008-02-12T10:58:00.000-05:00

This week I would like you to view the following video and tell me what you think about it. Do you think the message is important? Do you think the video did a good job conveying the message? What are your thoughts on the subject of posting personal information online especially on MySpace and Facebook. For more videos like this one, search "Think Before You Post" on YouTube.

Share & Discuss Web Tools

2008-01-31T14:16:00.000-05:00

This week I would like all of you to explore some cool web tools, share some of your own favorites and discuss which ones you like and dislike, and why.

Below are some links to websites I want you to check out. Go to at least three of them and then write a comment to this blog that includes your favorite and your least favorite. If you have a cool web tool that you would like to share with the class add it to your comments. Also, when writing your comment make sure that you include references to classmate's comments, so you can set a conversational tone to the blog.

Websites to check out:

SiteJot

Zoho

Slide

Box

Animoto

Flickr

What's Next?

2007-12-03T20:54:00.001-05:00

OK, so I was thinking that you all probably know what the next big thing will be before I will...soooo.

Tell me what the next big thing will be in technology and how it might be used in education.
Also add why you think it will make YOUR education better. Remember to add thoughts about other entries in your comments. This is due Friday, December 7.

Current Event in Technology

2007-11-05T08:10:00.000-05:00

Find a current article from a reputable online news source. In your own words summarize the article and explain why it is an important topic in the area of technology.

Include in your summary:

Why you found this article so interesting?
What things might happen because of this event or technology?

***Include a hyperlink to the article. This week you must also directly comment on at least one other post to this blog.

The Most Important Computer Invention

2007-10-15T13:17:00.001-04:00

What do you think is the most important computer invention in the history of computers? In your answer make sure you comment on other important inventions and how they compare to your choice of the “most important.” Cite specific generations of computers and important inventors throughout the history of computers. When posting to this blog, make sure to include your reactions to some of the other posts.

WIKI WIKI

2007-10-03T07:52:00.000-04:00

Now that you have used a wiki to create a web site I want you to reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of a wiki. You WILL use a wiki again this semester for a different purpose so don't completely bash it, I want you to think about what it is really meant for, collaboration. How would using a wiki make it easier to collaborate with others? Can you see a bigger picture for a wiki...not just contained in this classroom? Tell me your thoughts and also comment on what the other people in your class are saying.

Journal Entry #4

2007-09-24T14:12:00.000-04:00

This week we have been discussing and using "Web 2.0" tools in class. Tell me what Web 2.0 means to you. How do you think it will change the way you work, learn and socialize in the next few years. How does it already affect your life? How could our school change? Are you inspired? Why? Why not?