Post #2

Chapter two dealt with communications networks. This subject of computers actually is something that both my father and brother deal with everyday at work, because they are both Electrical Engineers. Communications deals with the processes of sending information through the computer to other computers via websites, communication cables, and in many other different ways. In the chapter, it shows how the internal computer is set up with the different chips and cables that make up the modem, and other intergral parts of the computer system. It also showed how the computers throughout a school system or an office space are connected through a main server, making it possible for many people to work through the same system and the same time.

It also brought up the topic of the Internet and its history. The Internet has become and integral part in our society today. Without the Internet, most business would not be able to operate on the global scale that they do so now. Universities would have a difficult time handling all of their students, and keeping on top of their class schedules, transcripts, grades, and basic communication. For example, most universities have an online site for students to use to create their application to that particular school, and it allows the student to send their application electronically and gives them the ability to update their application whenever they may need. This is a serious advantage as opposed to sending a new application through the mail every time your information may need to be updated. This is just a small example of how the Internet is so important in our day and age.

I had never heard of the program "Hot Potatoes," let alone use it. It was an interesting site, and quite easy to learn and get used to. I don't really think that it would be of us to me that much considering I want to be a high school math teacher but I would definitely keep it in mind if the opportunity ever presented itself for me to use the program.

Post #1

Chapter one dealt with the evolution of computers and digital media throughout the past few years. It dealt with the basics like what a computer is and how it functions; along with the progression of technology. The uses of technology have greatly impacted our society in many different ways. To the educational aspects of technology such as interactive games to help students of any age, to social outreaches, to important programs used in school work and jobs; it seems impossible for anything to run without the use of technology.

The chapter also dealt with the idea of using technology and applying it in a beneficial way in the classroom. I plan on teaching math to high school students so finding different ways to incorporate technology in the classroom is something of great interest to me. Teachers can use many different methods to teach their students, and particularly in math, a subject in which many students struggle, it is beneficial to have other programs to aid the students.

I don't know that I have necessarily learned any new skills since the last class, but I have brushed up on some skills that I haven't used in a long time. In the chapter that we read I learned many new facts about the history of technology that I didn't know before. The chapter really explored the different facets about technology, and how much we really depend on it throughout our daily life.

Post #0

We use technology almost everyday in today's society; whether for school work, our jobs, recreational reasons, amongst many other situations. My personal experience with technology starts back to grade school with my first computer course. There we learned the basics: Microsoft Word, using the Internet, playing interactive and educational games. Through out the rest of grade school and into high school I learned how to use many other different programs like Microsoft Excell, Powerpoint, using a blog site to post opinions for my English class. Email and AIM was always deemed important during those years as a necessary tool to further communication with other classmates. Also with the recent development with Facebook and MySpace, along with many other websites, a way was provided in which many are able to further their social circles around the world.

In this class I hope to further develop my skills in the various technological programs that are provided today. I hope to pick up many useful and interesting ideas to help interest future students. Mathematics is a subject that doesn't usually have much involvement with the Internet, or any other program, unless its a tutorial of some kind. I hope to find some interesting and helpful programs that would help students better understand mathematical concepts.

My quiz results stated that I was a reflective, intuitive, visual, learner; which from what I gather about myself is pretty accurate. I prefer to think about problems, and understanding what they are asking about, before just jumping into them. I would agree with the fact that I am an intuitive learner; because these types of people are better at grasping concepts and are comfortable with abstractions and mathematical formulas. I work, and understand concepts easier when I am presented with a picture, graph, or some type of visual aid. For the most part I agree with the fact that I am a global learner, becuase either I get the information and it "clicks," or I don't.