Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Blog # 8

In chapter 8 we learned about all the bad things that come along with technology. These are things such as viruses and criminal activity. This chapter talked about computer security risks and and computer crimes. Viruses are apart of computer security risks. Many viruses are designed to destroy or corrupt data stored on the infected computer. There are three types of viruses : boot sector viruses, file viruses, and macro viruses. There are also two variations of computer viruses known as malicious software programs and worms. All these things are bad for your computer and can cause you to lose all the information on it. Another important part is securing the information on your computer by using a password.

Something that I have learned over these past couple weeks is how to back up your computer. I learned this by reading this chapter. I always knew that you should back up your computer, but actually reading about the different types of viruses and all the bad things that they can do to your computer really makes me want to take the extra step and back up all my stuff. I would hate to lose my pictures or my music on my computer. I also learned more about powerpoint. This is important because i think powerpoint is one of the most useful programs you can have as a teacher.

I really found it interesting to read this chapter. This is especially true because I think that my computer has a virus. It is really frustrating because all of a sudden i have all these pop ups and my computer is really slow. I take alot of percautions so this stuff wont happen but somehow it did. When i go home im going to have to take it to my uncle who works with computers and hopefully he can help me fix it. I would hate to lose all the things that are on my computer. Its also really frustrating when on my computer and i have to stop what im doing and restart my computer.

Blog # 7

In this chapter we learned about how to evaluate the different types of technology that are available to us today. It also gives us different ideas on how to integrate these types of technology's into our curriculum. The chapter describes how there is alot of technology at our disposale in today's world, yet as educators you have to know what is appropriate to use and what isnt. Something is appropriate to use if: " it is suitable for the educational situation, motivational,must promote learning at the correct levels of student ability and academic acheivement." Teachers rely on all types of sources to tell them what is considered appropriate. Some of these are catalogs,published evaluations and conferences. I think one of the most important sources is opiniions from your couleges. These people have experience and will probably be able to help you.

Something that I learned over the past week was how to make a web evaluation sheet. This is something that was also discussed in this chapter. This is important because it is important to understand where the information you are looking for and it is reliable. Alot of people can post stuff on the internet and that doesnt mean that they are using facts or know what they are talking about. As students you have to be able to look at a website and take out what is important and look past the garbage.

Next weekend I am going home and Im very excited. It is a three day weekend and im happy to spend it with my family. Im especially happy about it because i dont know if im going to be able to go home for thanksgiving or not. My parents planned on coming up here since my brother and i are both here and they wanted to do something different. But now my brother wants to go home for thanksgiving so all the plans might get changed around. Im also excited because my birthday is in less than 3 weeks and when i go home i get to go shopping with my mom for my birhtday presents!

Blog # 6

I think that Chapter 6 is one of the most important chapters we've read so far. This chapter talks about how technology and education work together. This is important to know because this is what teachers like to know, how to use technology in their careers. Many state departments provide their teachers with specific curriculums and the teachers use technology within that. Technology is important because it helps keeps students interested and has a potential to increase motivation and class attendence. Technology is good because it promotes active learning. This gets the class involved and you have a better chance that the class is understanding what is being taught.

I have learned a couple new things since the last class. Right now we are learning about powerpoint. This is something that I kind of always knew how to do, but never really knew how to do it in depth. One of the powerpoints that we are learning how to do is similar to a jeapordy game. I think that this fits into what we are learning about in this chapter because this could be used for active learning. Students will be more likely to get involved and pay attention if they feel like they are playing a game. This is especially true for younger students, which is what I plan on teaching.

Tommorow is Halloween and im very excited about it. Last year halloween was fun but i feel like this year it will be alot better. I dont know what we are doing yet but im sure we will figure something out. It is also one of my friends birthday's so im sure he'll want to do something. Alot of kids are going home this weekend because it is FAMU's homecoming. Im staying in town cause i'll be going home next weekend and have no desire to drive 7 hours two weekends in a row.

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Blog #5

In Chapter 6, we learn the reasons why technology is so important to our careers. This chapter is all about how to incorporate technology into our curriculum. An important part of this chapter talks about technology integration. This is the combination of all technology parts, such as hardware and software, together with each subject-related area of curriculum to enhance learning. The chapter also talks about how there is a difference between a computer lab and using software in the classroom. It is more beneficial when teaching to have software in the classroom, but its also good for students to get a chance to work with computers.

Since last weeks class, i have learned more bout microsoft word. This is important because next to xp and the internet, i use microsoft word a lot. It is important to understand this stuff because you mainly uses microsoft programs when teaching. I also found it interesting how it talked about incorporating teaching and technology. This was important because for the past six chapters we have only been learning about how a computer works and its different parts, this stuff is boring to me. How you can actually use it is what i find interesting.

This past weekend I went to Jax. for the football game and it was a lot of fun. The weekend was crazy, especially since we won and the gators lost. I'm also happy that I got a chance to see my friends that go to UNF. To make things even crazier there was 8 girls in one hotel room. We deff. looked like a bunch of broke college kids crammed in there. I'm excited to see my parents this weekend. My brother just got a puppy that my parents don't know about so im excited to see their reaction to this surprise. Needless to say this will be an exciting weekend also.