This class was very frustrating for me. I was way out of my comfort zone for most of the time. Although I have to say that I learned a lot. For instance, when I was thinking about my perfect computer, I understood what was meant by the different components. I had never opened a computer before or looked at different processors, etc. Much of my research was also time consuming since I needed to read and re-read in order to make sure that I understood the jargon and the definitions that they were using.
I was really hoping that I would have learned other practical information as well. For instance, when my desktop crashed, how do I go about reimaging it, or what are some things I could try to get my icons back up and running? Some actual troubleshooting techniques. Maybe this is information that will be coming later, but it is an area that I feel that I'm lacking in. We have a tech. department to deal with these issues at school, but they are often occupied elsewhere when we need them and if I knew a few things to try I might be able to fix it without having to wait for them.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Alternate OS
This assignment was very frustrating for me. I was nervous about starting it because I was worried about accidentally installing the program and overriding my current OS. The only computer that I could use to try this project was our desktop - I don't have the rights to download onto my school laptop, and our desktop was out of commission for a while. I finally got it up and running again and then started my project. I chose Ubuntu because it seemed more user friendly, but I think there might have been something wrong with the file itself. Once I got everything downloaded and burned correctly the file wouldn't boot. It just stalled and kept cycling instead of booting up fully. Like I said, a frustrating assignment.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Anti-Virus Experiences
Okay, this topic could not have come up at a more opportune time. We have a desktop that is about 7 years old and runs windows XP. We have had issues with it in the past and have tried a variety of anti-virus programs. We started with McAfee, since that was the program that was installed on delivery (you got a free year with purchase). Then we started having issues and got the dreaded blue screen of death, even after scanning multiple times a day. We had the computer wiped and then used AVG and Webroot Spysweeper with more success. However, we have been experiencing a lot of problems lately, AVG seems to be able to find viruses when it does a scan, but it doesn't seem to be preventing any (it is regularly finding and removing a number of viruses on each scan) So I took this opportunity to try a new program. I uninstalled AVG and installed a free trial of Vipre Anti-Virus Premium to see what it could do. The reviews all said that it was rated high when it came to preventing viruses from getting through in the first place. I installed it and tried to run a scan - I got a message that said it needed to update the definitions, so I did that. The definitions still said "0", so I did it again. I uninstalled the program and then reinstalled it, with no success. So I accessed the help desk - good way to see their customer support first hand. I got a pretty quick response and we tried a number of things for about an hour. Then the tech. person gave me a link to completely uninstall the program and re-start my computer. Upon restart, I have no icons whatsoever. I can't access anything. I have used the right-click on the desktop, control-alt-delete, etc. and the computer just shows my wallpaper. So....., any thoughts? Was this a problem with the anti-virus software, or was my computer just too far gone for it to help? Maybe the viruses already on the computer where battling with the program and keeping it from installing all of the components. This was not quite what I was hoping for from the experiment. If any of you have suggestions, please let me know. I am at a loss right now!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
My Computer Experiences
My first computer experience was as a member of the computer club in Middle School. We worked on a Tandy computer, and learned how to write simple programs. There was absolutely nothing fancy about it. This was actually the first time I had ever seen a computer, and I think it was the only one in the building. At home I typed (and I mean typed) my papers on an old manual typewriter and I took typing in high school. I say typing, because that's what it was. We did not learn keyboarding, we typed (at least the school typewriters were electric!)
My brother got a personal computer when he graduated from high school. It was an IBM and used DOS programming. You had to insert a floppy disk every time you turned it on to run the program. Then you had to insert a different floppy disk to run the word processing program (I can't remember what that was called), and then I would print to a dot matrix printer. When he studied abroad for a semester I actually got to use it for my work. I thought I had died and gone to heaven.
When I went to college, we had 2 computer labs for student use. We used Word Perfect for writing papers. All of the computers still used the actual floppy disks, and they crashed often. I can still remember hearing people scream in frustration as they lost their entire term papers.
When I began teaching, we still used an actual gradebook for keeping track of grades and there was one computer in the department office for us to use. Eventually we all got our own computers and actually began using computerized grade books. I couldn't believe how much easier it was, although all of the information was still kept on a disk. The Internet was just beginning to take off when I stopped teaching to stay home and be a mom. I only had a couple of students that last year who were getting information from the Internet and using CDroms.
When I got back into education a couple of years ago, I was astounded by how much I didn't know. My first class "Information Literacy" was a terrifying and exciting whirlwind of technology. I was thrilled with the potential that all of the new technology presented for lesson planning and learning. I immediately started revamping my old lesson plans and couldn't wait to implement the changes.
I have always found computers intriguing, and I have also found that I seem to be able to learn to use new aspects fairly easily. I think that this ability has helped make me more desirable as an educator, and it has certainly made me better at my job.
My brother got a personal computer when he graduated from high school. It was an IBM and used DOS programming. You had to insert a floppy disk every time you turned it on to run the program. Then you had to insert a different floppy disk to run the word processing program (I can't remember what that was called), and then I would print to a dot matrix printer. When he studied abroad for a semester I actually got to use it for my work. I thought I had died and gone to heaven.
When I went to college, we had 2 computer labs for student use. We used Word Perfect for writing papers. All of the computers still used the actual floppy disks, and they crashed often. I can still remember hearing people scream in frustration as they lost their entire term papers.
When I began teaching, we still used an actual gradebook for keeping track of grades and there was one computer in the department office for us to use. Eventually we all got our own computers and actually began using computerized grade books. I couldn't believe how much easier it was, although all of the information was still kept on a disk. The Internet was just beginning to take off when I stopped teaching to stay home and be a mom. I only had a couple of students that last year who were getting information from the Internet and using CDroms.
When I got back into education a couple of years ago, I was astounded by how much I didn't know. My first class "Information Literacy" was a terrifying and exciting whirlwind of technology. I was thrilled with the potential that all of the new technology presented for lesson planning and learning. I immediately started revamping my old lesson plans and couldn't wait to implement the changes.
I have always found computers intriguing, and I have also found that I seem to be able to learn to use new aspects fairly easily. I think that this ability has helped make me more desirable as an educator, and it has certainly made me better at my job.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Everchanging Technology
This week I have come to the realization that no matter how much I learn about technology, there will always be more to learn. Things change so rapidly, you have to constantly be searching out the next new thing. When I found out that we were discussing social bookmarking this week, I thought that, at least this portion, would be easy for me. Then I sat down to begin the work... I have been using Delicious and Diigo for a little over 2 years now and I love them both. I try to convert everyone that I can, because it has made my life as a student and an educator much easier. However, I had never heard of Diig, Furl or Stumbleupon.
I began using Dropbox about a year ago to share larger files with my classmates and pictures with my family, but I was unfamiliar with Evernote and I had absolutely no idea what FERPA was.
It's easy to see why some of our colleagues get set in their ways. They find the constant change of technology frustrating and unsettling. I try hard to remember my absolute sense of panic and hysteria when I began this journey 2 years ago so that I can be more understanding when I try to talk about the next new thing that I want my staff to try.
I began using Dropbox about a year ago to share larger files with my classmates and pictures with my family, but I was unfamiliar with Evernote and I had absolutely no idea what FERPA was.
It's easy to see why some of our colleagues get set in their ways. They find the constant change of technology frustrating and unsettling. I try hard to remember my absolute sense of panic and hysteria when I began this journey 2 years ago so that I can be more understanding when I try to talk about the next new thing that I want my staff to try.
Monday, February 21, 2011
I started this blog last year for a class in instructional technology. As you can see, we were required to create three posts for the class. Obviously I haven't kept it up since the class ended. I'm not very comfortable with writing a blog. I guess that I haven't felt that I have anything to say that rates putting it out in cyberspace. I don't know why, since I have absolutely no problems rambling about anything and everything to the people around me. Don't get me wrong. I love the blog format, and follow a number of fantastic educators. I'm continually grateful that they choose to share their experiences and expertise, and I have benefited often. I just always think that I should leave cyberspace to the "experts".
I have been working on changing this view, and hopefully keeping this blog up more regularly will help. I am a new Library Media Specialist and many of the information literacy standards have to do with creating information for others to use. We are supposed to be teaching our students to not only use the Internet to gather information, but to participate in the culture of learning. I guess it's time to practice what I preach.
I just finished my coursework for my Library/Media Certification this past summer. After a whirlwind of learning about new technology that was available, I was excited to put my learning into practice. Although I am familiar with many of the recent innovations, I am not naive enough to think that I know it all. I am continually reminded of this fact as teachers come to me with questions that I cannot answer. As the only technology person in my building, I am trying to increase my knowledge base even more so that these humbling experiences become fewer and farther between.
I am lucky to work with a group of teachers that are also excited about the possibilities that technology brings to the classroom. We have already completed many fabulous projects this year using google earth, glogster, my big campus (a cheaper alternative to Moodle), photostory and pixton. As we move forward, I hope to find even more tools and ideas to bring back to my teachers.
I have been working on changing this view, and hopefully keeping this blog up more regularly will help. I am a new Library Media Specialist and many of the information literacy standards have to do with creating information for others to use. We are supposed to be teaching our students to not only use the Internet to gather information, but to participate in the culture of learning. I guess it's time to practice what I preach.
I just finished my coursework for my Library/Media Certification this past summer. After a whirlwind of learning about new technology that was available, I was excited to put my learning into practice. Although I am familiar with many of the recent innovations, I am not naive enough to think that I know it all. I am continually reminded of this fact as teachers come to me with questions that I cannot answer. As the only technology person in my building, I am trying to increase my knowledge base even more so that these humbling experiences become fewer and farther between.
I am lucky to work with a group of teachers that are also excited about the possibilities that technology brings to the classroom. We have already completed many fabulous projects this year using google earth, glogster, my big campus (a cheaper alternative to Moodle), photostory and pixton. As we move forward, I hope to find even more tools and ideas to bring back to my teachers.
Monday, December 14, 2009
final thoughts
Technology, when used properly can really enhance the learning process. However, we, as educators, need to make sure that our use of technology serves a purpose. We shouldn't incorporate technology just because we can. When we add technology to a lackluster unit in the way of a well planned and effective webquest, we have enhanced learning. When we go overboard with transitions and visual effects in our powerpoints, we aren't serving any higher purpose. In fact, these uses can turn people off, and muddy the waters.
I am truly excited about the possibilities that technology provides. As I think about the lessons that I used to teach, even the ones that I thought were great lessons 12 years ago, I can easily see how they could be more effective and interactive with the addition of technology. For instance, instead of making an advertising poster and speech for a particular Civil Rights organization, students today could easily create an entire video advertisement. This addition helps them gain a greater understanding of the power of images and persuasive speech. Not only will they learn about different Civil Rights groups, but they will also learn effective ways to convey this knowledge to others.
I truly believe that to be effective educators we need to understand and be able to use current technology, no matter what grade level or subject matter we teach. With it, we can change the world; without it, we simply watch the world go by.
I am truly excited about the possibilities that technology provides. As I think about the lessons that I used to teach, even the ones that I thought were great lessons 12 years ago, I can easily see how they could be more effective and interactive with the addition of technology. For instance, instead of making an advertising poster and speech for a particular Civil Rights organization, students today could easily create an entire video advertisement. This addition helps them gain a greater understanding of the power of images and persuasive speech. Not only will they learn about different Civil Rights groups, but they will also learn effective ways to convey this knowledge to others.
I truly believe that to be effective educators we need to understand and be able to use current technology, no matter what grade level or subject matter we teach. With it, we can change the world; without it, we simply watch the world go by.
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