The New Letter to Santa

In the spirit of the holiday, I found the most interesting article on Mashable.com entitled “Barcode Hero Lets Kids Send Wish Lists to Santa.”  I can remember how creative I thought my daughter was when she poured over the Christmas catalog; as she did that, she would tear out pictures and photocopy (in color, of course) items on the back of the page.  Then, she would compile her list for Santa.  At the time, it was genius—it made the shopping easy for all of those elves helping Santa.  Now, it can be even easier.  There is an app called Barcode Hero which allows children to create a mobile wish list by scanning barcodes and then sending the list directly to Santa.  Additionally, a copy of the list is sent to the parents/guardians via e-mail complete with pictures.  Children can also add a digital photo and a letter to Santa.  How cool is this?

 I know personally how convenient (and dangerous) the barcode scanner when I am shopping on Amazon.com or Sephora.com, now, for children, this will be amazing.  And it will be idiot-proof for those of us who stumble around during the holidays finding the exact gift on the list. 

Changes to Google Docs

This fall is the first time I have used Google Docs, mostly because I was not completely aware of what was available.  In fact, the concept of Cloud computing is still something that I am trying to internalize.  I certainly can see the benefits; I am not so sure how many times I have started to set up my classroom for lecture only to realize the flash drive with my presentation was at home beside my laptop.  What I did not consider was the need for offline support, which would allow retention of work if Internet connection is lost.  In April, Google removed the offline support, Google Gears, with the promise that it would reappear but new and improved; however, this new-and-improved support will not be available until sometime early in 2011. 

E-Readers are Here to Stay

As I have stated in multiple blogs in so many different ways, I am an old-fashioned girl—I love books.  I love the types of books which can be found on shelves.  My daughter has had a Kindle for years; I just could not understand the purpose.  Then, just this week, I started shopping around the App store for my iPhone, and found two things of interest:  a Kindle app and an iBook app.  I was skeptical, but since they were both free, I thought I would give them a try.  I think I am hooked.  Of course, with course work and the daily duties of a single mother, I truly do not have a lot of time to read, but Steve Harvey released a new book, and he is my favorite “I-can-just-enjoy-this-book author.”  I bought his book and downloaded it, and I must say, I LOVE IT!  Because it is just an iPhone, the text is a little small, but it is so wonderful to always have a book with me to read whether I am waiting for an appointment or waiting for my daughter to be dismissed from school.  Now, I am thinking there is an iPad in my future.  And I am not alone, according to Kathleen Hall from ComputerWeekly.com, e-reader sales are to jump 79.8 % this year.  Of course, this statistic refers to devices such as the Kindle and the Nook; tools like the iPad (media tablets) are the competition since they offer more than the e-books; however, Ms. Hall stated that e-readers will be priced to seduce those who are only looking for a reader.  I, on the other hand, want all the bells and whistles; so, I will hold out for an iPad.

Focusing on Our Privacy

There are times when it frightens me to think that my every move on the Internet is monitored; then, I think of the alternative.  Although my Internet use is rather boring (shopping, researching), I realize that there are those with less than pure motives.  According to an article presented in The New York Times by Edward Wyatt entitled “Legislators Support Internet Privacy, but Question How to Achieve it,” legislators support a “do-not-track” method to restrict what is known about online activity; however, this comes with a balancing act—how to limit information released without impacting the advertisers who rely on such information.  Thus far, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has not found any indication that advertisers have been impacted by some of the initial attempts.  Susan Grant, director of consumer protection at the Consumer Federation of America, equated a lack of privacy focus to being physically followed by someone recording our every action.  Now, it is up to Congress to decided if “Internet privacy policies really mean anything, and if necessary, how to make them stick.”  Let’s hope a solution is found soon to give us some privacy while maintaining the necessary security. 

Yikes! Another Way to Communicate!

Every day, in so many possible ways, we can reach out and talk to just about anyone we want.  For some of us, it is a face-to-face encounter; it can be a telephone conversation; maybe it is a voice mail message or text message or an instant message; it might even be an email.  With all of these modes of communication, what could be the problem—communication overload.  Now, there is yet one more to consider; in fact, Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook CEO) just announced a new form of email.

According to Richard Harper in “Facebook’s email gives us a new way to chat—but are we reaching overload” in The Observer,  this new email system will not interfere with free services such as Gmail or Hotmail; it is going to offer something totally different.  This system will allow us to be constantly aware of the communication from others.  In some cases, this could be a wonderful thing, but I can certainly think of times when I would not appreciate such access.  More concerning than the immediacy of access, perhaps is the possibly of yet another mode of communication to be misused. Each of the different technologies provide us with a different way to reach others.  The question will remain—are we using the most appropriate method for the message we have to relay.  And now, we have another choice.

Will we use this new technology to create a new version of a Dear John letter?

You Mean There is More to the Life of a Presentation Than PowerPoint!

Let’s face it, in today’s world, whether it is for educational or for business, visual presentations are a large part of what we need to know.  Admittedly, I am a huge fan of PowerPoint; in fact, I went so far as to become Microsoft certified with the program.  However, now, it is not the only multimedia game in town.  According to John Paul Titlow in “Hate PowerPoint? Here are 5 Web-based Alternatives” on the Read/WriteWeb, there are many Web-based options for those who are not such huge fans of the software.  These options function similarly to the program we know so well, and they have the benefit of cloud storage.  Seems like the best of all worlds.

So, the drum roll please, what are these amazing new programs:

1)            Prezi

               This application works like a huge whiteboard allowing viewers to zoom in and out of various  sections as needed.

2)            Slide Rocket

               This one is a visual clone for PowerPoint (For me, this may make the transition a little easier.).  In addition, users will be able to comment on the presentation and complete polls in real time.

3)            280 Slides

               This program is similar to Keynote (Apple’s presentation program), and it gives the impression  that it is running on your own desktop.

4)            Google Docs Presentations

               This one is labeled as the simplified clone to PowerPoint. 

5)            Zoho Show

               This option has all of the standard functions you are so used to working with, and it also  integrates a live audio chat.  Another perk with this program is that you can import from                PowerPoint.

Without trying each of them personally, it is hard for me to determine which one mill be the most effective for me, but the benefit of cloud storage definitely makes any sort of transition to a new program worthwhile. 

              

My How Technology has Changed

In high school, I had one computer class.  I remember using the Apple IIe with the black screen and the green letters.  In college, I also only had one computer class, “Apple for Teachers.”  My first cell phone was in a bag, and it was larger than my current handbag.  I remember cassette tapes and VHS.  Some times when I stop and think, I am simply amazed with how much has changed in such a relatively short period of time.  David Pouge, for The New York Times in “The Lessons of 10 Years of Talking Tech,” wrote in amazement of the addition of things such as HDTV, Blu-ray, GPS, WiFi, iPods to our vocabulary.  However, most individuals tend to think of the advancements as something negative (replacing) instead of something more positive (branching).  In reality, all of these changes are just an “add on” to what we already know and love.  Why fight it?  Mr. Pogue suggested embracing change by understanding that the object we are purchasing can and will be outdated soon. 

Social Media vs. Proper Behavior

We have all heard the Facebook horror stories . . . someone was tagged in a provocative photo or an employee had a bad day and made a derogatory post.  Either way, the end result is the same . . . the individual faces at least public criticism or even possibly unemployment. 

For example, there was a teacher in a local school district who attended a bachelorette party.  While at the party, she enjoyed an alcoholic beverage while watching male performers.  What was intended to be a girls’ night out turned into a local scandal.  Is Facebook really to blame?  After all, how many of us have Facebook profiles?  I do. I am friends with my daughter, and I am friends with my directors and my students.  Is the problem what magically appears on my page?  Absolutely not!  Nothing that appears on Facebook truly happens by accident.  As professionals, can we honestly blame the media for delivering indiscretions in our behavior?  No.  Advanced technology has just made it easier to be caught.  Employers must focus on the true culprit—inappropriate behavior. 

The bottom line is if individuals were consistently behaving in a respectable manner, there would be nothing of concern to post.  So employers or school districts who spend much time (and money) developing policies and procedures for proper Internet activities, should simply get back to the basics . . . focus on what is considered appropriate behavior.

Raising Distracted Children

Who can argue, technology is everywhere.  When you look around your home, how much technology do you see?  Although, I am not any more distracted by technology than I would be by anything, our children are a much different story. 

In an article written by Matt Richtel for The New York Times entitled “Growing Up Digital, Wired for Distraction,” a much different picture is painted for our youth.  In his article, Mr. Richtel points out that computers and cellphones offer a continuous stream of distraction, and youth are rewarded for shifting from task to task.  A child moves from homework to texting and eventually back to homework (hopefully).  Many of these young individuals are provided with technology with little (if any) parental supervision; however, that is not entirely the fault of the parents.  Parents are able to monitor computer use, but they are not able to monitor cell phone use as easily.  Social children are faced with texting, instant messaging, and Facebook; less social children are dealing with YouTube and gaming.  Regardless of the type of technology, the distraction is there.  My daughter is no different; she will carry on an actual conversation while maintaining a text conversation.  In a study done by the German Sport University in Cologne has proven that children are more distracted by the computer than by the television.  The scientists have found that video game disrupt sleep and patterns and possible reduce vocabulary retention. 

All of this is probably nothing we did not already know; however, what I would love to know is where we go from here.  Obviously technology is here to stay, so how do we help our children maintain focus? 

The Attention-Span Myth

I will be the first to say I have an undiagnosed attention deficit.  As I sit here attempting to write this blog, I am switching my attention from a movie (which I have seen 20 times) to texting, and back again to the computer screen.  However, I cannot blame technology for my distraction.  Without being surrounded by all this technology, I would simply find something else to do until I could adequately compose my thoughts.  Virginia Heffernan wrote a fascinating article for The New York Times called “The Attention-Span Myth.”  In her article, she referenced a gentleman named Nicholas Carr who argued that all of the technology is causing brain damage by “pushing even more distractions and interruptions on us.”   But the true point of her article was not to support views such as Mr. Carr’s, but to elaborate on the fact that typically there are other factors involved—lack of interest, lack of understanding, etc.  Also in the article, Jonah Lehrer brought gamers and Web users into the equation.  For them, technology is not a distraction, it is simply a tool. 

Perhaps I would have different choices for my time off task, but I absolutely believe that the lack of technology would not make me more focused.

Finally an Idea to Meet the Needs on Both Sides of the Desk

It is a never-ending battle . . .  Students are habitually late;   somehow only one or two manage to at least pretend to be paying attention.  It can be so frustrating.  I used to try to develop policies in my syllabi to combat such actions, but nothing really seemed to get to the heart of the issue—the students just were not engaged.  There is a solution.

According to Jacques Steinberg in the article “More Professors Give Out Hand-Held Devices to Monitor Students and Engage Them” found in The New York Times, this does not have to be any longer.  Professor Bill White at Northwestern University has started using clickers (similar to a television remote control).  But how does he use them?  The clickers are used by the students to sign in to class, to answer questions, or to indicate  (anonymously) lack of understanding.  What has be found is that with the clickers, it is harder for students to nap or to respond to texts or emails since they are frequently asked to provide some sort of feedback. 

As an instructor, I find this tool solution to be ingenious.  In my opinion, this is a win-win situation.  My benefits are obvious to any educator, but the students will also benefit by hopefully feeling more of a commitment to the course because they will be accountable for actively participating.   

Using Cell Phones in the Classroom?

My daughter is thirteen, and it appears her cell phone is physically attached to her—anywhere she goes, so does the phone.  It annoys me, but it is just how things have evolved.  According to the article “Cellphones in the Classroom:  Distraction or Tool?” by Audrey Walters at ReadWriteWeb.com,  more that 75 % of children between the ages of 12 to 17 possess cell phones, and they use them as their preferred method of communication.  It was not surprise to read that this same age group does not use cell phones for their voice features.  Interestingly enough, one of my daughter’s friends sent over 14,000 text messages in just one month.  Is this something we, as educators, can ignore anymore?

The National Education Technology Plan states support for “efforts to ensure that all students and educators have 24/7 access to the Internet via devices . . . leveraging the technology that students already have.”  What is more accessible (and affordable) to most children than a cell phone?  As educators, perhaps we should consider playing into what our children are already so comfortable using.  I read this, and it all seemed to make sense, but I still had a hard time thinking out of the box.  I know how I use my cell phone, so I could not image how such a device could become a classroom tool.  Ms. Walters went on to point out that not only is the phones are available at a low cost, and they can be used as cameras, audio recorders, calculators, and calendars (just to name a few options).  Think of the money school districts can save in equipment, or even in the paper planners some invest in just to help keep our kids more organized. 

In addition to savings, we will be bringing technology into the classroom that is so much a part of their lives outside of the classroom.  How valuable is that?

A New Web Browser.

For years, I used Internet Explorer, not really because I preferred it; I used it simply because it was the default browser.  I did not like it nor did I dislike it.  Then, a few months ago, I began to use Mozilla Firefox.  What I found was ease of access to links, so now Firefox is my preference. 

Soon there is going to be yet another more social option, RockMelt.  According to Miguel Helft in the New York Times’ article “Web Browsing Takes a Social Turn,” Mr. Helft labels this browser as the one for the “Facebook era.”  The article details the appearance:  on the surface, it does not look much different from what we are already used to, but the side rails hold the key to our friends and our favorite social sites.  From this browser you can complete all of your social networking functions:  update your status, add or remove friends, chat.  The browsing is also attempting to make RockMelt more competitive since it retrieves entire pages while searching, which will allow you to preview pages first. 

All of this sounds great, and the timing could be perfect since social networking is taking off, but we are still creatures of habit.  My question is will we remember to give it a try or will it become just a newer version of Flock?

Finally, You May Not Need to Sue to Get Your Way

large portion our course has focused on the importance of documenting sources.  Although plagiarism has been a concern for many years, the Internet has made it so much easier to take the work of another. 

Think back to Napster.  The first instinct to combat this was to sue.  Now, there is another, less time consuming and less expensive, option—ask nicely!  Who would have thought?  According to the article “New Study-Newspapers Don’t Have to Sue to Get Pirated Content Removed” by Frederic Lardinois on readwriteweb.com, there is a more effective solution.  His article stated the following:  Attributer found 400,000 unlicensed copies of 70,101 articles on 45,000 sites.  With this information, 107 of those sites were randomly selected.  The selected sites were contacted, and they were asked to remove the content.  If the sites did not respond, they were given a second notice.  The sites were given two weeks.  After two weeks, more drastic measures were taken.  At that point, the site’s advertisers were contacted and alerted and the search engines were asked to block the sites.  The study concluded that 75 % of the sites either removed the content or pursued licensing agreements.  This option seems like a winner to me.

I do not like to see anyone out of work, but I must say that I favor the thought of fewer lawsuits in world.

Are Textbooks Fading Away?

Most are familiar with the Kindle; certainly, the majority has heard of the iPad, and maybe there are even those more familiar with the Nook.  If you are not, these are all varieties (on one level or another) of e-readers (electronic books).  But, have you heard of the Kno Tablet?  This new technology promises to revolutionize the textbook market.  According to article “Can the Kno Tablet Make the E-Textbook Grade?” by Audrey Walters on readwriteweb.com, this version is an educational tablet.  According to Ms. Walters, for under $1000 the academic world will have access to a tool to change the face of the traditional textbook.  In the article, the developers promise that the savings from purchasing traditional textbooks  will enable this device to pay for itself in just three years.  Interested?  The perks continue!  Although, digital textbooks are currently available for some texts, this one stands out from the others on several levels.  Some of the additional benefits are as follows:  the tablet will have a 6-hour battery life, allowing extended class use without an outlet; it will collaborate with various school learning systems; it will be able to deliver course content; and it will have social networking capabilities.  As a non-traditional student, I may continue to use the paper versions of my textbooks, but I can only imagine how this will alter my daughter’s education.  Wait, before you run out to purchase one, it will not be available until December 20, and it still has its share of challenges ahead of it. After all, It may readily appeal to students, but the target group has to include parents, teachers, and administration, and we all know how much that entails.

Saying Goodbye to My Pen? Yikes!

I am still a “pen and paper kind of girl.  In fact, as I was reading the article “12 Reasons to Ditch the Pen—Why It’s No Longer Mightiest Against the Sword” on techlearing.com, I was forced to face the reality that I have been avoiding for so long . . . my pen needs to be given last rites.  I have seen this coming.  Then again, who hasn’t, but I have been slow to concede.  After all, I just finished taking notes on this topic using my favorite blue pen and 4 by 6 index cards. 

Did I learn anything new from this article?  Not necessarily, but I finally start to realize ALL the ways my life could be easier if I would just give in to technology.  So many of the justifications are obvious, such as a few of the following:  it is faster, it is easily editable; it is easily sharable; it is more efficient; it is with you where ever you go.  At this point, I knew all this; I just never bought into it.  Then I found the clinchers:  it can get rid of the clutter and it is searchable.  Wow!  The organizational obsessive-compulsive part of my existence leaped for joy.   First, I will minimize clutter—Electronic files do not require physical file folders in a physical file cabinet (i.e. I will have extra room in my office.).  Second, the information will be searchable—no more trying to remember where I put something. 

Now I am sold; it must be worth a try.  Will it make a permanent difference?  I guess, only time will tell.  For now,  I am definitely convinced that my pen and index card should be allowed to retire. 

Wow! Another Search Engine

I must admit, I am still a Google-girl.  I have tried Bing, but I keep going back to what seems most familiar and most effective. 

According to an article in the New York Times by Claire Cain Miller, “A New Search Engine, Where Less is More,” there is now another option.  At first, I was a little skeptical.  If Google is working, why should I venture out of my comfort zone?  So, I decided to do two things:  First, I read the article; then I tried it myself.

The article talked about the new search engine, Blekko, available to the public on November 1.  As I started to read the article, I could not help but wonder why this one would be different.  According to Ms. Miller, this search engine is geared to show only those results deems as most useful or trustworthy.  Rich Skrenta, Blekko co-founder, had one goal in mind:  to clean up the Web.  Now, I am thinking how much of a difference this could make in my academic career, so I continued to read.  This search engine is going to use “slashtags” to access more refined lists which will eliminate what Mr. Skrenta called “content farms” like eHow.  So far, so good, so I read further.  This engine promises to execute vertical searches to provide the most complete list possible.  Ms. Miller used the following example:  if you search for “pregnancy tips” using both Blekko and Google, the results will be very different; in Blekko, your results will focus on government sites, nonprofit sites, and well-know parenting sites; however, in Google, your results will connect you will some similar sites, but will also bring to OfficialDating Resource.com.  I have been there before.  For a prior position, I did a search looking for statistics for teen pregnancy.  In addition to the valuable information, I was given several sites offering nude photos of naked pregnant teens.  With that said, I decided to try Blekko.

For this week’s Wiki, I decided to give Blekko a whirl.  Although the list was short, and by some standards considered concise, I found it to be a little lacking completeness; I was even given a few eHow sites. Although, I found some interesting information, but I still retreated to Google to finish my search. 

I am going to attribute this to youth; I will check back shortly, and give Blekko it another try.  Let me know what you think.

Is Windows Fading Away?

I have been using Microsoft Windows for years; for me, it all started with Window 95.  Recently, I just upgraded to Windows 7, and so far, I am enjoying the transition.  Although, I must confess that I am also a fan of the Apple iMac—using Apple OS (Leopard.) as well.  However, for most projects or assignments, I always seem to gravitate to the PC.  On ComputerWeekly.com, (http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2010/11/03/243746/Has-the-Windows-based-business-desktop-had-its-day.htm) Cliff Saran revealed something which I was not prepared to hear.  According to Mr. Saran, many businesses and individuals will soon be saying goodbye to the traditional operating system (and the traditional desktop PC) to select something more versatile—smart phones and cloud computing.  In fact, he reported that Windows 7 is likely the last Windows.  I can certainly understand the flexibility offered by the Internet option, but it is hard to let go of something which has become so familiar. 

The Real Uses for the iPad

A few months ago, I switched to the iPhone.  At the time, I believed that one smart phone should not be so different from every other, but I was wrong.  The iPhone is absolutely user-friendly.  My next step will be an iPad; although I have not taken the step yet, I have experimented with a few owned by my friends.  Consistent with the iPhone, the iPad is amazingly simple to use, and definitely has additional, iPad-specific applications.  The ease of using also has many other benefits for audiences with a wide variety of special needs.

In the article “IPad Opens World to a Disabled Boy,” Emily B. Hager of The New York Times explored some of the additional perks to this amazing tool—helping physically limited individuals.  Most impressive is Owen, a 7-year-old boy with a motor-neuron disease.  Owen is unable to use a typical mouse; however, when he pointed his finger at his nurse’s boyfriend’s iPad, he opened an app, and he entered a new world of opportunities for communication.  Through the iPad, Owen learned to try to read books and to play with various apps; he also can type some of his thoughts on the keyboard.  For other challenged individuals, there are so many other things they can do thanks to the iPad—the text-to-speech app gives some the gift of words, other apps give autistic children the gift of learning basic skills. 

The iPad may not have the same effect of all, but if even a few lives are changed by this tool, who can deny the benefits of such a technology. 

Why I Should Tweet?

A recurring theme for me is difficulty adjusting to all the changes and all the additions to technology.  In some respects, I am so far ahead of my contemporaries, but in others, I trailing so far behind.  I have already mentioned my challenges with the e-readers, but I am even more frustrated with figuring out Twitter.  I have a Twitter account, and I even have a few followers, but I struggle with how to tweet or even what I would have to tweet about that would matter to anyone; therefore, my Twitter account remains inactive.  Because Twitter seems like a social tool, I never really thought about how it could be used professionally.

In “Eight Reasons An Innovative Educator Uses Twitter” on techlearning.com, Lisa Nielsen presented her reasons for using this social media to interact with her students.  Many of her reasons could absolutely apply to my position.  First, my students could follow me on Twitter for instant updates to my Website; this instant access would allow me to initiate and maintain conversations with my students (possibly parents as well, however my students are older).  How valuable is that?  Second, as an educator, I could use Twitter to get instant advice from other educators, or I could use it to connect with experts in the field. 

With one tweet, we have the opportunity to encounter such a vast audience for interaction or for advice.  I might just be time to dust of my Twitter account.

The “New” Book

I am usually a fan of new technology, but I found this to be challenging when I was trying to function with an e-reader instead of a book.  A few years ago, I bought my daughter a Kindle (e-book reader), and she loved it.  She is an active member of her school’s reading team, and the immediate access to the next novel was pivotal in her success.  So, I thought I should give this technology a try.  I did, and I found myself wanting to retreat to one of the physical books on my shelf.

As I was reading the book Blogs, Wikis, and Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms, I read a passage by 14-year-old Arthur.  He elaborated on the benefits of e-books; he even went so far as to talk about the next step—interaction between the author and readers.  I thought this was somewhere far in the distance future.  Then, I was perusing the technology section of The New York Times, and I found a fascinating article by Noam Cohen entitled “Blurring the Line Between Apps and Books.”  Suddenly, I realized that the somewhere-in-the future-concept is readily available and gaining popularity.

Mr. Cohen talked about a series of books called The Adderall Diaries by Stephen Elliott.  This series can be purchased as an app.  However, the app does not simply give you access to an e-book, the app takes reading to the next level.  This app comes equipped with a chat room.  Wow.  While in this chat room readers can interact with other readers or even the author.  While interacting, readers are able to leave comments about the book and to read responses of other readers.  To me, this is simply amazing.

Although I have not been able to buy into the e-reader concept, I can see the benefit of this app.  As an avid reader, many times I would love to have an immediate audience to share my thoughts with or to pose my questions to.  This old dog may finally want to learn a few new tricks.

Helping Our Children Move Forward in Many Directions

Just this week, my daughter attended her first career day!  Yikes!  When did she become so old!  At the age of thirteen, she does not know what she wants to be when she grows up.  So for now, our focus is to finish this school year which will indicate that she has survived middle school.  Once she begins high school, the focus will then shift to college preparation:  PSATs, GPAs, and SATs.  Are there any other “real-world” skills being taught?  Very doubtful.  When would there be time?  And honestly, those skills are not as apparent, so many parents (and children) do not value them.

In “Merging Career Tech with College Prep:  Why It’s Succeeding,” Kathy Brown introduced a fascinating concept:  using hands-on activities in order to build technical skills.  In the article, she discussed career and technical education (CTE).  With CTE, the typical school curriculum is fused with career skills.  Ingenious!  Even as an adult, I tend to learn concepts more deeply when I can see the relevance in my own life, and CTE will take all of those classes in school and show our children how they relate to the world outside.  I find this to be such a valuable skill.  Many students, who do very well with academics, are not so self-assured in a work situation. 

If our students can graduate from high school not only prepared for college but also prepared for a job or a career, can there be anything more important.

Future Computing

Where will technology take us next?  Every time I ask that question, I am amazed with the answer.  I have had the benefit of witnessing so many of the changes.  My first computer class in high school had an Apple II e; my first printer at home was a dot matrix; I remember the 5 ½ floppy disks.  With each change, it seems there is nowhere else to go.  Then, I read an article about Microsoft Research Asia entitled “Microsoft research Asia Gives Glimpse at Future of Computing.”  Where we are going next is absolutely unbelievable. 

There were three developments unveiled at the event.  First is the Translating Telephone.  This telephone will allow us to converse with those in other countries and to have the conversations immediately translated.  Second is the Aided Eye.  This gadget will use a small eye sensor to recognize the direction of the eye gaze.  The third development, which I found to be the most fascinating, is the Microsoft Research Worldwide Telescope.  This final tool will turn any PC into a virtual telescope. 

As someone who has grown up through many of these changes, I cannot imagine where we can go from  here . . . only time will tell.

Teaching Our Students to Use Social Media

As we progressed through high school, then college, and eventually out into the job market, how did we network?  At least for me, it was a matter of being in the right place at the right time and meeting the right people.  Social media has the potential to open up a brand new world of opportunities; however, do students today realize the impact of the technology in front of them?

As teachers, we must teach our students how to tap into all technology has to offer.  As an instructor at a small business school, I have taught an introductory computer class many times.  A portion of the class is devoted to social media.  Part of the discussions involves maximizing the quality the digital footprint we are creating when entering the realm of Twitter, Facebook, My Space, and other similar sites, but the scope of my focus was rather limited.  I have used examples of individuals who have lost a position or never received the opportunity for a position because of a picture or a post found on a personal page.  To me, they are all very obvious points; however, what I did not consider were many of the points covered by Andrew Marcinek in “How to Help Students Use Social Media Effectively.” 

In my opinion, the most powerful point made by Mr. Marcinek focuses on skills which never entered my mind.  First, we all proofread endless papers ensuring our students are using effective writing strategies.  What many of us do not do is encourage our students to use those writing skills to edit updates made to their social media pages.  It absolutely makes sense.  What is written as a tweet or a Facebook status update has a far wider audience than any class assignment.  Additionally, along with editing for grammatical accuracy, students must be sure effort is exerted to post information which will matter to others.  I have taught my students to be cautious of the language used or the references to drugs or alcohol, but I have not taught my students to think of the audience and to post accordingly.

Used correctly, social media can be an incredibly powerful networking instrument.  As teachers, it is vital that we teach our student how that is done.