Jenny

Jenny MacWhinnie Chapter 9

I agree with Seth Godin within regards to web 4 or any other future means in the computer world. We as humans need to be satisfied and our thirst quenched at all times. The connection we make is when we humanize things such as the technology that that has been put into computers. We want the activity and the social aspect to be made as human as possible in the digital age that we live in now. We like instant gratification and self-fulfillment. I think it would be a great tool in the education field for students. I don’t think the computer should take over the real teaching that needs to be done in the school. The future is going to expect that computer literacy is known throughout the generation of people. As technology advances the cost for computers will decrease allowing the demand for them in schools to be fulfilled. Computers are an excellent way for students to collaborate with others, search for updated information, and provide follow up instruction on a lesson or assignment. Students can personalize their work and strive to improve in other areas. Chapter 8 Wikis Wikis are useful inside and outside the classrooms. You can use it to write, edit, and add information including videos, images, and text. They are great for group collaboration. Each person adds information to what is learned and from their own knowledge and experience. Within the collaboration there is information being researched, synthesized, and evaluated amongst each other. I find it very useful to students that you can edit and make any necessary changes to anyone’s work; without losing the original piece of work. This can be used as an authentic piece of work for grading purposes. Each person is still held accountable for their own work. This would also allow a way for teachers to integrate technology into their classroom. The technology can be also used outside of the classroom on assignments, posts, communication, and social networking amongst the students.

Chapter 7 Virtual Environments

The world of virtual environments can be used for educational and entertainment purposes. In the virtual world you are able to create a world of your own. You are able to recreate yourself in any which way. People can teleport themselves to other areas of the virtual world. You can interact and communicate with others in the world. There are three ways to communicate to others within the world and they are as follows: chat, instant message, and voice. They are considered private an extent but for the most part others can read and manipulate the text along with saving and printing. The use of it as an educational tool can be beneficial to an extent. The student can be held accountable based on the content that is put into it. Is the content realistic in today’s world? There are certain standards that would be expected by the teacher. The use of this would allow others to collaborate amongst each other. At other times the virtual world is used as entertainment. It’s used to socialize with others that are within the same world. An example would be Webkinz and Club Penguin. In these programs you can create and give names to virtual friends/ animals. There are tasks that you can complete to earn points. With the points that you earn, you can buy things for your virtual world. The use of virtual environments are seen as educational and used as entertainment. The reality is the use is not the problem, but, the extent and how it’s used under what supervision? The use of this can be used to coincide with a lesson in class but not in place of. The entertaining aspect should be monitored as any type of online use. Visual Learning Tools
 * Chapter 6:**

Visual learning tools are forms of communicating to others through technology. The use of computers, cell phones, television, and etc… They generally provide some type of information that is relevant to what people are

interested in; have questions pertaining to subject matters, or for just good old enjoyment.

There are positive and negative aspects to having and using this form of technology. The positive aspect is that students and adults can have a better understanding of what the main idea or concept is if a person is explaining by word of mouth or by text. Visually a concept can be drawn or displayed such as a chart, visualize a story with graphics, and or for an explanation to a problem drawn out visually. This would benefit the student and anyone to help them think critically and analyze what is in front of them. This would help them think out of the box and beyond what a piece of paper with just text on it. People and students are able to build a relationship when it’s beyond just a piece of paper. One can think, discuss, suggest ideas, and have a result to show for.

The negative aspect is that we then move more away from the basics of the pen and paper. It is very important to still have the ability to write your thoughts and ideas on paper. To rely solely on technology is not a great idea. Another aspect is that it could be seen as just entertainment and shy away from the actual learning process.

I personally believe it’s a great tool to have for pleasure and seriousness. A limit should be drawn on the education aspect.


 * Chapter 5**
 * Social Networking**

Social Networking is a form of electronic communication throughout communities. People are affiliated by interests, questions, Ideas, and activities. Some of the popular social networks are Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace. Advantages are: Students can post questions, classroom activities; Students that are absent can get their missed assignments. Digital Skills obtained: Social/ Personal, Cognitive/Physical, Technical

Productivity Applications Definition of: productivity software  An earlier term for word processors, spreadsheets, database management systems, PIMs, schedulers and other [|software]  packages that are designed for individual use.
 * Chapter 4**

[|http://www.pcmag.com] Chap 5 Social Networking Social Networking is a form of electronic communication throughout communities.

People are affiliated by interests, questions, Ideas, and activities.

Some of the popular social networks are Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace.

Advantages are: Students can post questions, classroom activities, Students that are absent can get their missed assignments.

Digital Skills obtained: Social/ Personal, Cognitive/Physical, Technical

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**Podcasts** There are four types of podcasts and they are audio, video, screencast, and enhanced. The audio is limited to audio itself. They are in an mp3 format. The file is generally small. Video podcasts hold audio and video. They are in an mp4 format and their files are larger. The screencast is a digital recording of a screen output aka video screen capture. They use adobe and are in an mp4 format. Now the files are smaller compared to years ago. The enhanced podcast uses audio with still images. They are in an mp4 format. They are used by many people for different reasons. They are used for entertainment and for educational use. Podcasts are available to everyone.
 * Chapter 3**

**Jenny MacWhinnie ** **September 28, 2011** **Technology in Education** **Chapter 2 Micoblogs ** Micro-blogging is used for many reasons. It can be used to send a friend a simple message or it can be used as a learning tool in the classroom. Some may use it to communicate with their employees. The various numbers of ways is countless. As you look at it closer there are some benefits along with some disadvantages. Some of the advantages to micro-blogging are that you can communicate with a group of people at once; it could be work related, itÕs easier then picking up the phone and calling 10 people. Here you are saving on the amount of time. Business people also use it for marketing; it reaches a large amount of people. It can also be useful in the education field. A class or teachers can share notes, links, and for planning. Some of the disadvantages are that the characters are limited. If there is a good amount that has to be said you might e-mail or pick up the phone. Another disadvantage is it can be addicting and then leads to writing about everything and anything.

** Jenny MacWhinnie ** ** Tech in Edu ** ** Reflection Chap 1: Blogs ** Blogs can be useful tools to the right individual. Blogs are not for everyone. They are for those that want to express their ideas, knowledge, and comments on a topic. As a writer, blogs are helpful to improve your writing and the way you communicate your thoughts and ideas onto paper. Blogs are very useful for improving the writing process. They reach out to more people than your general online chat acct. such as facebook or twitter. Blogs can help you think out of the box. The use of blogs in the classroom is a great way to make assignments more interesting to the students. It would help students communicate their thoughts and ideas on a topic or group assignment. Some students donÕt communicate very well speaking and this would be great for them to do it. Students can be creative in their work, as opposed to writing a basic paper or doing a research project. Each student can also be held accountable for their work. Blogging is great if you have a hobby or something that youÕre passionate about doing. Blogging can be done by anyone at any age. It is amazing just how many people may have the same interest as yourself. There is some many different ways and different reasons why people choose to blog. A collection of thoughts, communication, portfolios, and music are just the beginning.

Jenny MacWhinnie
 * Intro to Book **

**Introduction** The introduction to the book makes great points about Technology today within society and throughout the schools. The students nowadays are technology experts compared to some of the older generations. They have advanced skills and abilities with the new technology, for example u-tube, texting, and etc. If we as an older generation don’t become technology smart we will continue to be behind. Using the technology will create better learning for the student. It will be more interesting, educational, current, and provide many more opportunities for them. They can learn skills that will provide them with communication skills, collaborating more with others, and connectedness with others. The use of technology will build a better and brighter community of learners.