Online Classes

Now, using the computer in class is taken to a whole new level. Online classes are given for certain courses. This gives the students the option to take it from home and in their free time. I have a few friends who took this option for certain classes and enjoyed it. They said it was easy because they could control the time they did work, took tests, etc. By a simple click of a mouse the whole course showed up on the screen. Talk about using technology in a class, this whole class was based on the computer! Also, they said it was easy because if there was ever a problem they used the same approach as they would a regular class (e-mailing their professor). There was a quick link on the course website where they could send e-mails as many times as they want and the professor would get back ASAP.

About the Internet

Studying for the Exam, i learned many things about the internet. For example. what HTTP, HTML, URL, and FTP stand for.
HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol, HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language, URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator, and FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. Each one of these has a different function and place in the website address. For instance, the HTTP is the beginning of the address, and the the URL can be found at the end of the address. I think it is interesting to learn about these things because I use them in my everyday life surfing the web!

Computer Desktop

With my desktop I am capable of storing a wide variety of things on my computer. For example, I am able to store pictures, documents, applications, music, movies, etc. I can create and save things to folder; which calls for easy accessibility. My chances of finding something on my computer are much higher. I can put important folders that I created on the background of my computer so I can reach them easily. Also, my desktop gives me an opportunity to be more organized.

E-mail

E-mail is a nickname for Electronic Mail. It is a fast and easy way to send something to another person via the internet. It gives you the chance to share information and allows you to even attach something in the e-mail. It is an easy way of communicating with a simple click of your mouse on the Send button. I prefer e-mailing over talking on the phone because I am always at my computer anyway and it just seems to be easier for me to multi-task at my desk.

Clip Art

Clip Art is a feature on many different word processors. It allows one to search through a library of pictures and insert ones of their choice into their document. I use this feature when typing up cover pages for papers and projects. Also, if I make a card via the computer I always include an image from clip art.

Monday's Class

On Monday we learned bout Google Docs, social bookmarks, and Skype. Google Docs by Google gives people an opportunity to use a web- based word processor, presentations, and spreadsheet. It allows people to work with others and share or edit their work. Social bookmarks allows people to store and share bookmarks of websites. Last but not least, Skype is a web cam that allows to computer users talk to eachother from different parts of the globe.

Search Engines on the Web

In class last week we discussed Search Engines. There are many different ones available to us on the internet. Search Engines are created by "spiders" or "crawlers". The advantages of them are that they usually have more hits, the disadvantages are that they are usually less relevant and their rankings may be biased. Some examples of some search engines are: Altavista.com, Google.com, Alltheweb.com, etc. Search Engine results are influenced by advertisers, payment for placement, and frequency of terms on a page. When I have a question on something or need to get research I go to a search engine and type in what I am looking for.

Microsoft Excel

Using Microsoft Excel can be tricky, but for the most part I like the layout of it. In class today, we learned about the different features it had. It has many options at the top of the screen. For example, you can add in almost any type of chart (pie, bar, line, etc.) Another option is the Sigma at the top of the screen. If you click on it you can add up a list of numbers, find the mean, the max, the min, or the amount of numbers, etc. All of these options are useful. We learned that each page is called a sheet and a workbook is comprised of 3 worksheets.

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word is a writing template that can be used on the computer. It allows people to create documents that look clean and professional. Microsoft Word can be used in writing essays, term papers, title pages to a packet,a birthday invitation,etc. Just about anything can be typed on Microsoft Word. It has many different features, such as bullets, numbering, creating tables, etc. I use Microsoft Word to make outlines for papers and to take down notes (I use the bullet preference).

iPods in the classroom

In todays society, iPods can be used in the classroom. Teachers and or Professors can use them to record their lectures. Students will be able to download the lectures. Suppose they missed a class or forgot a crutial part of the lecture, they are able to listen to it again. IPods are helpful because they have a Podcasts feature. Podcasts is a blend of the word broadcasts and the word iPod. The podcasts feature on the iPod allows teachers to videotape a class or activity and upload it to the internet. Like lectures, students are able to download and watch them.

Bookmarks

I use the bookmark application all the time on my Mac. It is quick and convenient. Every time i come across a webpage that is useful to me, or that i visit often I add it as a bookmark to my computer. This enables me to just click the words and it will take me right to the page. Also, I can edit the order in which the bookmarks appear, starting with the most important to the least important/ visited. For example, I already have this website bookmarked for easy access.

The SMART BOARD

This new piece of technology is used in classrooms throughout the country. It appears to be a white board for a teacher to write on. Yet, it has the ability to hook up to your computer so you can type things and show certain information. It is interactive and the eraser works just by moving around a specific area. The smart board is used especially for giving presentations.