Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Social Networking

In one of the last unit lessons I have taken the topic of social networking was discussed and explained.  I am aware of all the keeping connected things out there but didn’t really know how private my stuff is or isn’t.  I joined the bandwagon of following everyone else who joined Facebook, which many of my friends found funny that I joined because it really isn’t me.  I don’t laundry my business to the public, I like to keep it private and honestly my life is not cool enough to discuss or I don’t have something witty to say.  But I do believe that we should watch what we put on these posts because many of the hundreds of “friends” and friends of “friends” are not our friends.  Many times I have gotten pictures sent to me that I don’t know the person whose pictures I now have access to and I highly doubt they want me looking at them just as I don’t want people who I don’t know looking at my stuff.  As I read through articles and other discussing in the unit I was learning my professor directed us to safeguard pages for social networking and what you can do to protect your privacy.  When joining Facebook I did not know this existed and I will be accessing it to make sure what I need to stay private will.  I think it should be something that everyone does for their own internet protection!  I do have to say I have learned a lot of new thing in the class, some that I did well and others that I am still struggling with; like how to upload a podcast onto my blog but all in all I am excited to incorporate  it into my lesson activities.

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Technology and School Budgets

As always I am surprised and realizing all these great tools that are out of the web.  What is even better is that they are free to use.  It gives teachers a great opportunity to evolve from less pen and paper and expand their horizons and take form to the online computer world with their students.  I am not saying that would be the easiest thing to do.  As I am thinking about it and I am becoming a little stressed.  I am the type of person who writes their paper by hand before typing it, prints out things to read, and also prints out information when purchasing things online. Which I have to say I did alot more this past holiday season and I really stepped out of my comfort zone.  I know it sounds silly but I have always felt uncomfortable shopping online...like it is not safe...that someone would steal my identity but I guess that can happen anywhere.  I guess what I am saying for teachers is may be posting questions on a blog instead of copying 200 sheets.  Have student collaborate on a wiki about a topic they are learning.  Also students could create podcasts that assess what they have learned by students speaking about their answers.  I feel that with these tough times that it would be nice to save money with all the free online tools than taking teachers out of the classrooms.  I believe that with all the new types of technology out in the world there has to be a way to save money without taking teachers out of the classrooms.  But that is my naive thought on it, I know that it is not that easy.  Just like trying some of these types of things like wikis, video streaming, and podcasts.  It is not easy to try new things but I really think that it would help educate students especially ones that are growing up with this type of technology.  It is the way the world works now.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Didn't know about that??

I always felt I was almost up to date on all the "new" types of technology...I even got a smartphone for Christmas but that was just the icing on the cake.  I am trying to finish up my Masters and currently taking a class about emerging technologies.  WOW...I did not know all if this stuff was on the web and how useful it can be for everyday things and the classroom.  I thought that the stuff I am learning (podcasts, webcams, and blogs) were too high tech for the ranks of me.  I still think they are right now but this class has opened my mind to the possibilities.  I would be able to have a face to face conversation with distant family and friends for free through skype.  It is actually easier than I thought to use and I was able to set it up on my own, where google earth got the best of me.  I thought I was okay with technology but this new stuff actually makes me feel stupid...not that I can't use it but that I have not put more efforts towards it. I am very scared and excited to try out and use all of these new things I am learning.