Running smooth…

Social Networking Sites are quickly becoming the greatest thing since the internet was made public.  People are addicted to Twitter, Facebook, and Yammer just to name a few. My employer recently named Yammer our official networking site. I’m just amazed by all of the different generations that love this stuff. I’ve finally realized that our culture is changing and people love adopting the latest technology. Of course the rural areas and older generation might be a little slower but they will eventually catch on.  It scares me to think how technology driven society has become and face to face communication may soon be a thing of the past.

This semester I started to value my computer skills and felt privileged having educational access. When I read posts about the conditions in some Kentucky classrooms and some classes not having computers, I was extremely bothered.  Having easy access to educational technology should not be a privilege for children. I still can’t believe some schools do not require computer classes!?! People need to embrace the modern technology because it isn’t going anywhere. Everyone should be taught computer fundamentals /basics because the technology is advancing so fast.  Technology will eventually reach a point where some people will be afraid to use certain technologies because they seem too complicated.

I’ve finally realized that technology is everywhere! Technology is a vital part of culture and plays a very important role in our society. Technology is able to change the way we teach lessons and communicate with our students. When children are exposed to modern technologies these ideas will carry over to society and our culture. This class has helped me appreciate and explore a variety of software and social networking tools. I’m just starting to realize how important social networking is for personal and professional development. I just started working for a Fortune 500 company and the company created a site that resembles Facebook. Blogging gives me the opportunity to share my ideas and projects with my coworkers in other states.  Prior to this class I was against Facebook, but I must admit that I’m finally changing my ways.

Final Project

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I’m not sure how I feel about doing the ethnography of my SNS. I don’t really enjoy SNS, but maybe after the project I would see it in a different light. I’m open to doing just about anything, so I’m still thinking and looking for suggestions.

A response video? I’m not sure about that one I would like that assignment to stay as extra credit.

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I really want to learn more about HTML, LMS and Flash. I’m just not sure what I would create, because these things can be extremely difficult. I want more exposure, because it would help me tremendously at work.

Good Instructional Video Review

Here is a tutorial about developing Social Bookmarks. Before this video I had never heard about this sort of thing. Delicious.com is a free website that allows users access to share their favorite bookmarks. It would be great for any teacher who enjoys sharing web content that has improved learning in their classroom. This site isn’t only for teachers, but anyone who enjoys sharing material they find on the web.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x66lV7GOcNU

Bad Review!

I’ve never seen so many bad instructional videos before! I gave most of the videos an A for effort, but most of them really sucked. People have no idea how to design or manage the technology they use in the classroom.  Users had bright backgrounds and way too many sounds problems to mention.

Education plays no role in preserving culture. The education system needs to be totally changed and the culture that we live in needs a makeover. Traditions and ways that worked in the past are totally irrelevant to today’s society. I’m currently substituting at a school that has children with various cultures and socioeconomic levels, which is difficult.  These children are not permitted to speak any language besides English and will be punished if caught doing otherwise! How is that for preserving culture? The children that are different are punished for trying to preserve their culture and heritage. If the education system doesn’t allow other cultures, then how does a teacher explain people who are different?