Concerned

In my current class with this Technology in Education master’s program, I have had to do some reading on new technologies that may be used in the classroom. These technologies such as blogs, wikis, instant messaging and podcasting are said to help the students interact and collaborate with each other and the teacher concerning their discussions in class and their assignments. I agree that the students would and do participate more in their classrooms using these technologies. Our students love the use of technology. While collaborating and interacting through these technologies there really seems to be no socialization or face to face interaction taking place. Oh yea, the new interaction is now called outeraction. I am very concerned whether the use of technology is really a great thing or even making this generation smarter. Are we teaching the youngsters to survive and function on their own? If all the technical devices were not available all of a sudden, could our society survive? Just wondering.

FILEZILLA...AAA

     Just the name sounds like a booger, you know, like that monster from Japan or China called godzilla. When I completed the webpage that was assigned to me from this particular class that I am in, I would need to send it through a transport system called "FileZilla". The instructor discussed and explained this process in our last class meeting. I knew from the get-go it was going to be a problem for me, and it was. I called my instructor who guided me through the steps and I was hoping I would have caught on, but I'm questioning myself. Did anyone else have an issue with this or was it just me? There were so many rules to remember and follow. I pray I learned something. Can I do it again on my own? This is a good question. I really have no choice. I'll be doing it again. Thanks for all your help Dr. Ran.

New Adventure

     I am working on a masters degree involving technology. I have been teaching 24 years and was exposed to computers after I started teaching. During my senior year in high school, electric typewriters were purchased for the school and I thought that was "advanced technology".
     I learned that I am a digital immigrant in my first class with this program. I've always been afraid of computers, feeling I didn't have the ability for this type of knowledge. Well...ll, What did I do but enroll in this masters program. Talk about jumping into the water. I seem to be learning a bit and looking forward to learning so much more.
    Now, in my second class I was assigned to design a web page. As my instructor explained the process, I begin to question whether I made the right decision jumping into this program. I worked with a couple of my classmates and between them and the manual our instructor provided for us, I managed to complete my web page. I think I have approximately 12 hours in this assignment. I have to send the web page to my instructor. This is another process. Talk about that experience coming up.

Wanda