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.

OOPS!

Here are all the OS Activities that I did.  I originally had them as a Google Docs page, so the responses are right HERE.

Thanks.

OS----What Did I Learn (Other Than What OS Stands For...)

For the last few weeks, I've been toying around with different activities involving OS, or Operating Systems.  Here's my insight on the situation.

One, I understand more than I think that I do.  I think that the overwhelming part is that all of these OS systems will change within the next five years.  I originally knew about OS systems because of games I wanted to play on my computer as a kid.  Different games had different system requirements, so I learned what my computer had, and what I could put on it.

Once I got into teaching, I guess I really didn't think about it much.  By that, I mean that I had a PC at home for 10 years, and a Mac at school.  I was using 2-3 different operation systems without putting a lot of thought into it.  Yes, there were some differences, but nothing to the extent that I couldn't use it.  I just adjusted and used whatever was in front of me.  With Grad. School, I've been the same.  I could use a Mac if I needed to.  They're just so pricey, I haven't ever seriously considered buying one.  Not that I'm cheap, but there is a considerable price difference, and I've been thinking of that over OS systems.

However, a lot of items and assignments have at least opened my eyes to what the OS systems can do.  I think the item that stood out the most was the security.  It sounds like the Mac OS systems are very strong and protective; I guess I wish I could get similiar feedback about my Windows Vista system!!!  Oh well...

So what has this done for me?  If anything, it's informed me.  I have an idea about what OS systems to maybe think about using in the future, especially when purchasing a new computer.  I have a bit of a better understanding about the positives of both, as well as the shortcomings.

Overall, I'm nowhere near a master in this category; on the other hand, I'm not necessarily a goober about it, either.

Well, by all means, please do share your comments below.  Thanks, and I'll hear from you soon.

Computer Architecture (aka What Does This Part Do?)

Well, it's down to the wire, and we're on to the last class-computer architecture.  I just got off of the phone with my dad, and I joked with him that I could actually be able to keep up with him in conversations after this class!  I guess that what I'm saying is, I'm not quite so good at the technical part of computers.

How can that be?  I'm the Technology Leader for my school!  Well, it's simple-I never had an interest in it.  I like to drive my car; it doesn't mean that I want to know how every car part works, though.  I've had that same attitude towards computers.  There are people in this world who get paid to take care of that aspect of technology, and I trust them.  However, I suppose I should learn a LITTLE about the make-up of computers; it would certainly up the authenticity of my position as the Tech. Leader if I could actually define and detail specific parts of the computer.

So what do I currently know about computer parts?  Not much.  I know the components of a computer, and I've done a little with replacing and upgrading parts, but I'm a bit of a novice in that area.  To be honest, I haven't had to replace much on the computers, other than the ENTIRE HARD DRIVE for my laptop a few years back.  For the most part, though, I've been lucky with my computers.  With that in mind, I haven't had a necessity to take apart a computer, and other than the buying process, I don't give much attention to the specifications of a computer.

However, after class, I think that I know more than I'm letting on.  I do have general knowledge of the parts of the computer, and the history aspect with computers I found very interesting.  I knew about the revolution of sorts in the 70's, and I was aware of the exploration of computers from the 40's to the 60's.  However, I find it amazing that we find crumbs of history hundreds of years ago.  That's something that simply blows my mind, that people had these ideas and were clearly ahead of their time.

Now, I simply need to explore more about the components of a computer system.  I think that's where my confusions lie, and I'm the kind of person that isn't going to learn about it unless I dive head-first into it.  So, if you'll excuse me, I have to go take apart a computer and figure out what those parts are.  Where's the sound card, again? 

Until next time...

I knew I forgot something...

MY BLOG POST!!!

That's what happens when spring weather hits, I guess....


No, in all honesty, I simply forgot, so, better late than never, I suppose.

This week, simply, what am I pulling from all of this.  For me, it's simple; a LOT!  Seeing as how I immerse myself into what we're doing, there's a lot that I'm going to take from this class.  The major ones are what I'll focus on today.

1. Google Reader---I've become a bit obsessed with this, as I check for updates on all of my sites mainly through this now.  Most of the time, I'm checking through my iTouch, which reduces the amount of time I spend pecking around on my favorite websites.  Also, I found a few that have given me a GREAT DEAL of information, which also reduces the amount of time I spend looking for this stuff.  I tend to use this more than Twitter, where I often catch repeats of the stuff I have on Google Reader.  Overall, it saves me time.
2. Screencasting---This is one of those tools and skills that I've wanted to do for years, and I just didn't know how.  Now I do.  I've already begun using Jing to record narrations for students, parents, and teachers.  This hopefully cuts down on the amount of time that I need to use to explain how to do the same process again and again.  That, and it's EASY to do!
3. Podcasting---Again, something that I wanted to do for years, and now I can.  It's forced me to use Audacity, allowing me to create edits of items and clean them up.  My students are jacked up about podcasts, and want to record multiple shows.  That's something that I can deal with.  More importantly, I'M excited about podcasting---I, too, am trying to record my second episode of my podcast.

There's so much more out there, but those are the three new tools with technology that I plan on continuing my usage of.

If any of you would like to elaborate on this, I'm more than happy to hear from you.

Take care!

Putting It All Together (Like a Puzzle...)

For this week's class, it was a partial time to reflect on everything that we've been introduced to (or re-introduced to) in class.  So this week's blog will look at all that I've done over the last few weeks.  Here we go...

My Accomplishments

1.  The Wiki Page
2. The Classroom Blog
3. The Podcast
4. Photo Sharing
5. Video Conferencing
6. Screencasting

I'll try to group them to save on time, but let's analyze what I've done, and what I continue to do.

I began with the classroom wiki.  I had a pre-existing one, that, to be honest, didn't get a lot of use in the first semester.  I was a bit overwhelmed with everything else in life, but I tried to make it more of a priority in the 2nd semester.  As a result, I've gotten more collaboration out of my students.  Due to this, I was motivated to create a 2nd wiki, something that I could share with parents and students.  As a result, I created a classroom wiki that details everything that's being accomplished in class, along with resources and due dates.  This is something that I'd like to continue next year, and with a year of experience under my belt, I think it will be more successful.

Next is the blog.  I've been blogging for the last 2 years, but I wanted to create something to inform the families as well.  I found myself doing a lot of repeating of instructions, and I wanted to create something to alleviate that.  Now in its second month, the classroom blog is a step in the right direction.  I'm trying to share items with the parents that we're working on in order to give them tools and ideas to help their child complete projects successfully.  I've incorporated screencasts into this, as I am finding it's easier to narrate a visual than explain it 30 times to 30 people.  I plan on expanding on this in the future.

That takes me to podcasts.  This was something that I really wanted to jump into; I listen to a lot of podcasts, and I've wanted for years to create my own to host on iTunes.  I can now say that I've accomplished that.  I see merit in this; I could create podcasts to go along with the wiki page to give the students and teachers another tool to help them succeed.  This is what I've gained the most out of class; I will definitely continue to explore and use this in the future.

That sums up this week.  I've immersed myself into a lot of these tools, and I don't want it to simply be something I explored for 6 weeks and never revisited again.  I WANT to use these tools; now I need to figure out how to better manage my time.

Well, as always, I'd love to hear your feedback.  Thanks, and have a good one...

Putting the Twit in Twitter (and Other Random Thoughts...)

This week's topic-Social Bookmarking and Networking.  For me, a little bit of dread, as these are ideas I dread introducing to my staff, who easily get overwhelmed by topics such as e-mail and Power Point.  So, where do I go from here?  A few ideas...

• Twitter in the Class-Unfortunately, I can't use this as much as I want (my district does not allow for cell phones in the class).  However, I could experiment with this on assignments.  I think that it could be a quicker way of getting assignments, links, activities, and other information out to your class.  More importantly, it can be done OUTSIDE of class time!  Furthermore, it could allow kids to contact you with support or continuation of the topic right back to your Twitter account.  You would have immediate feedback (isn't that what we want, anyway?), and you would also be informed of who has responded to your posts.  There is potential there; I think the main issue is that many of us don't know how to correctly use it.  I fall into that category as well.  However, I'm attempting (follow me @bryandadamaja) to become more active in my use of it.
• Ning-The Social Networking site.  A bit like a wiki, with a little more for connections for similar styles in between.  I think that there's some merit to this as well; it sure would save me a lot of time from digging through archives for good links when there are thousands out there like me who may think the same way (scary thought there...)  Unfortunately, I won't be exploring this with my class---there are age limits, and I don't have 13 year olds in my class yet.  Maybe if I change grades.  However, this could be a good benefit for the teachers to have their own network, and to see that there are branching opportunities out there.
• Delicious-This is a bookmarking site, and one that I've used frequently before, well, at least in waves.  You know how life gets sometimes...  Anyway, I think this may be the one that I use first with my class.  I get frustrated by the amount of links that get lost by students, staff, me, etc.  I think through the class and the reading, I became a bit re-energized though this.  I'd like to go through this with my class; it may help them to discover new blogs, sites, activities, research articles, and countless other things that they normally wouldn't remember.  I think this will be my emphasis, especially as we have research papers to do for the next 2-3 months.

That's what stands out for now.  I'm testing out a few new ideas (Jing-although to the tekkies out there, I doubt that's new at all.) and learning through my successes and failures.  For me, it's vital that I immerse myself in this and actually attempt to use it, or else it disappears, like so much else in my life when I don't make it important.

Well, as always, please share, post, argue, do what you want.  Your opinions are greatly appreciated here.