"Growing Up On-Line"

This show was not only intriguing and invoking, but also a little scary. I think that the internet has now become "part-of" this new generations life. It is no longer a place that they visit or see as separate. Children are connecting with friends via the internet, expressing themselves and trying on new persona's to figure out who they are and who they want to be.

I think it is great! What an awesome new world we live in. Where children can reach out to so many others and relate with them, share their strengths, accomplishments and challenges. It is a great way to stay connected and get connected. It is something that I know I would have taken too immediately growing up.

On the flip-side, I think children could easy get lost and blur the lines between reality and virtual reality. One big concern here is that children, especially ones without a solid repertoire of emotional and social skills, will rely more on the virtual world to express themselves than face-to-face interaction. We cannot lose touch with the impact human experience is like when in the presence of another human.

It was talked about in the video, an in class, that students are much more cruel in the virtual arena than when confronted in person. It is like a veil for them to hide behind (adults too). You cannot see, even with virtual cameras, how written comments can effect one's feelings, in my opinion.

Even though I have some concerns for my students, and my own son, growing up in this new technologically advanced world, I feel the this time in history is one I want to be part of. The internet has changed are world dramatically. It is changing how we teach, communicate and raise are children. It needs to be engaged, examined, explored and embraced! There is no going back...

iPad vs. Netbooks

Ipad versus the established netbooks, which one will rule the technology markets in the new niche area? In class we just read two articles giving the opposing points of view. I agree with Mike Elgan that the iPads are going to be a game changer.

Today, Monday April 5th, I visited the Mac Rumors website and read this headlines:
"Apple Sells Over 300,000 iPads on First Day". In my opinion, the iPads are going to overtake the Netbooks in the near future. Apple seems to be making a huge surge in the technology market in the past 5-7 years. Every time you turn around they have a new product being introduced that is shaking things up and making news.

Until the other night in class I had never heard of Netbooks. I may be a little slow on the uptake with the latest and greatest technology pieces, but I had definitely heard rumors about the iPad before I'd signed up for class.

I spent the last fifteen minutes looking at both the Dell Netbooks and Apple iPad websites. The apple site is so clean and easy to get around. The Dell site seemed overloaded with information and options. Apple is making it easier to use technology and the iPad is going to make it even easier. This one was a no brainer on which side of the fence to fall.

Ithaca College "Tech Day"

I had a really good time at the Ithaca College "Tech Day". I would recommend it to any individuals interested in learning about technology and the current issues surrounding the use and implementation of technology products. i was able to attend four and a half short seminars.

I started my day at the Smart Notebook Math Tools workshop. Having a Smartboard in my classroom I was very interested to attend. I found it very professional and it gave me a few new tips to use. The next workshop was about Podcasting. The workshop had numerous "technical" difficulties. The presenter was mostly using "Garageband", which we are all familiar with. I spot "Professor Karl" over in the front row attentively watching and listening. I was not overly impressed with the presenters style, but the content was great.

The Free Software workshop was excellent. I definitely need to become more resourceful in my ability to gain access to software working on a teacher's salary. The most informative time was a half-hour symposium on "When Social Worlds Collide". I believe the presenters name was Dr. Jean Baker. She was excellent. She did a study to see if college level students would connect more with each other and the content of the class if social media networking tools were used. She found "ZERO" evidence to support her hypothesis. She made the point that college students are now coming to school with a vast degree of social networking outlets, but are not able to make the connection on how to use them in an academic setting.

Anyway, it was an excellent day and I would highly recommend it to anyone for next year.

GarageBand & Midi Songs

I really enjoyed myself last night in class. The more I attend class and get to use a Mac the more I want to have one! I started a project with a friend six months ago buying pieces needed to build a computer on-line. I've always wanted to learn how to build my own PC. This was pre-class. Now I want to buy a Mac, but the problem is my friend has already purchased the parts to build the computer. Yes, I could ask him to resell the parts on-line. However, we've already had the conversation once about purchasing a Mac verses a PC. He is adamant that he believes Mac's are way over priced! I would tend to agree that the Mac are a little over priced, but then I come to class and learn that I could take piano and guitar lessons through Garage Band! It is an interesting dilemma that will work itself out.

I did know anything about Midi's before last night. I could see where importing them into Garage Band could be hours of fun. Regarding the issue whether or not what we created was an original piece of work was intriguing. I would lean toward, "No". We are working off of a piece of art that was created by someone else. The alterations that we were making are not sufficient enough to be called a new piece of art. Anyway, that is my 2-cents. Great class!

Presentation Night

I thought both of the presentations that I was able to view were really informative. I like all the information about "Adaptive Technology" that is available to help students learn. I also enjoy the presentation about "Going Green". We are doing a lot of things different in my school connected with going green. This presentation gave me a few more ideas to introduce. I am disappointed that I did not get to see the other topics being presented... A week off has been nice, but I am looking forward to coming to class tomorrow night and getting to mess around with "Garage Band" More!

GarageBand

While working on my presentation I came across the correct name of the software we will be working on: "GarageBand" Not "GarageMusic" - opps. :-)

Music File Size

The last class has pushed me over the edge...my next computer has to be a MAC! They are so easy to learn. I love having all software programs right on the desktop. I would agree with Karl that the column view is the best. It makes locating information very easy. I also like how you can click-drag-drop files on the Mac. Yes, you can do that on a PC too. Although, it just seems easier to work with on the Mac's.

The part of class where we listening to the different file sizes definitely made it easier to understand how music quality can vary. I'm looking forward to using the software program called "Garage Music" (I think that's it?). Anyway, not sure what else to say except, "I WANT A MAC!"