Wrapping It Up (and It's Not Even a Gift...)

Around 20 months after it started, this looks to be the final post-for this blog.  Hard to believe, but the last class to attend has finished.  I have to tidy up some last minute stuff, but the journey for the Master's has come to an end.  Here are some musings about the journey...


It's Almost Impossible to Keep Up with Technology
I feel like I'm WAY ahead of the game in terms of being aware of the resources out there in the technological world.  However, even with all of the tips, tricks, and tools that I've obtained throughout the last 2 years, there is still so much more out there to learn about.  For as much as an expert as I feel I can be sometimes, I have to be humble enough to see myself as a novice sometimes as well, and not be afraid to ask for help.  I'll continue to try to use whatever new technologies exist, but there aren't enough hours in a day to thoroughly explore all of these new innovations that appear on a daily basis.


Public Education Isn't Ready for Technology
I say that not to spark any reaction, but for the reality that I don't think that our schools are ready to fully embrace the technology that exists.  I see hesitancy; whether it be on behalf of administration or staff, I just haven't gotten enough consistency to believe that technology is a priority.  That's a shame, because there's so much potential out there; there's just such a fear to leave comfort zones that I don't know when the shift will happen.  What worries me is the fact that we're teaching a generation that is essentially a technology generation.  We are not serving our students well if we're not on board with the technologies available today.

10 Years Makes a Difference
It's amazing how much has changed within the last decade.  I could even look at the last 2 years, and there's been a huge change.  I say that now because I know teaching will be different by 2020.  It constantly evolves, and I hope to continue to be someone who evolves with it.  What I do with the kids today might seem ancient a few years from now.  I have to start somewhere, though.  Using podcasts, digital stories, screencasts, movies, and the like could be building blocks to something much bigger down the road.


Collaboration is NO JOKE
The one thing I will say is that we did a TON of group work.  As for me, I learned a lot about myself.  For example, I really changed how I planned time.  I became more organized (all about using the iTouch calendar), and less cluttered.  Well, for the most part.  I also learned how to work with others.  You know, you teach  by yourself for 10 years, and you sometimes forget that.  I had two partners who had to deal with me and all my eccentricities (that's a polite way of putting it), and I learned to adjust my styles of working.  I tend to be a controller, and it was really hard stopping that.  I can't say that I've made huge improvements, but I've made attempts.  Having to do EIGHT MILLION collaborative projects helped with that.

You know, I could go on and on, but I've always been one who believed in "actions speak louder than words."  If you happen to come across my name somewhere in the future (hopefully not for illegal or negative reasons...), then you'll know that this wasn't just a class or a degree for me.  It was much more, and I intend to show that through my actions.

For all of my professors, advisors, and instructors:  Thank you for preparing me and giving me the support and tools needed to be a difference-maker.  I will not let you down.

To all of my partners:  Thanks for putting up with me.  I know it wasn't easy, but I hope I was as supportive of you as you were to me.

To my family:  Thanks for supporting and believing in me as I went through this journey.  I know it wasn't easy, but you were my inspiration throughout all of this.

Virus Protection (or What I Could Use In the Real World, Too)

There's nothing more ironic than writing about Viruses while sick.  Oh well.  Anyway, at least you don't have to hear me gag up whatever my lungs decide they don't want anymore...

Well, anyway, we did a lot of items pertaining to protection from viruses, spyware, and other forms of malware.  We also had to create an Emergency Plan just in case.  For me, this was probably a good idea.  Within the last year, I made the mistake of not renewing my virus protection software.  You would think that someone taking a course in Instructional Technology would know better, but that wouldn't be the first time someone's said that about me.  Anyway, I began to realize something was wrong when I started getting A LOT of pop-ups on my computer.  Also, it seemed to take forever to load up my computer.  This wasn't good (especially during the HTML course, where I had to be on my computer a lot.)

Through searching, I found The Shield.  The first scan was nasty---lots of items found.  There was definitely a reason why I was running so slow.  The Shield would catch lots of attempts as I was on the web; I began to realize that some of the sites I frequented had adware or other items that really liked my computer.  As a result, I began to use a little bit more thought in regards to the use of my computer.

For now, my computer runs fine.  The Shield updates my computer several times per week, and I rarely get messages from my program about attempted attacks on my computer.  That makes life much easier for me.

So how on Earth did that story connect to class?  Well, I wish I would've had this prevention plan last year, or even 2 years ago when my hard drive fried.  I lost a lot of stuff (mainly iTunes stuff) that I didn't back up.  I learned my lesson.  I also didn't even realize that I pay for coverage through insurance.  Duh.  As for all of the malware, I realize that I had Adware on my computer.  That would explain the pop-ups asking to scan my computer, even though I didn't arrange anything to do so.  Glad I never clicked those options.

So, in all, BE PREPARED.  You never know what's going to happen, and if something bad does happen, be ready for it.

How a Computer Works (or, at least what the guys at Best Buy told me...)

So, for the last few weeks, we've been discussing parts of a computer, and looking at what they do, and how integral they may be to a computer system.  As of late, I've detailed one specific part, watched many others, and for this week's class, I had to construct one myself.

After discussing options with people online, in store, and through general conversation, I came to a conclusion of what I want, and that's accessibility.  I want to be able to access my network wherever I am, without worry for finding a password for a site or receiving slow access points to connect to.  I came to some realizations about myself, and what I need in a computer, and that's radically different from what I wanted a few years back.

I realize that I use way more online programs than I do installed programs.  I can use PowerPoint and Word, but I've been using Google Docs much more frequently, and that is something that I now take into consideration with my computer.  I think it's good to have a video editing program, but most laptops come with some sort of program already installed,  There's a lot of freeware out there, and I'm fine with that.

So where do I spend the money?  Processing.  I want to be able to run many items at once, and the processor is the key there.  I literally have no clue previous to this class if I ever really thought about the RAM, hard drive, or processor.  With the amount of online items that I have, I'm not sure that I really need a ton of hard drive, anyway.  However, I do need the power to run through my programs quickly, and processing is the key.

Also, it sucks to lose EVERYTHING on my computer.  That happened 2 years ago.  Since then, I've invested a bit more in backing up and protecting my computer.  I used to think that was a waste of money.  After Dell warranties covered my new hard drive, though, I changed my tune.

Overall, I could go into every single part, but this is what stood out to me the most.  You can choose to agree or argue, but either way, I'll be ready to discuss.  Hear from you soon.