Classroom Computer Applications

Spring 2012 marks my fourth Instructional Technology class: Classroom Computer Applications. I already like this class. We are encouraged (heavily) to bring out smartphones and laptops to class, as we will be using them in class!

Now, part of me never has any idea what to expect from a class, but I think that using our technology in the class leads to what I hope to learn through the class: how exactly to integrate technology successfully in our instruction. I’ve learned in my other IT classes Why, When, and a little bit of What technology to use, but I really hope this class helps me learn How to use it.

So, there’s what I expect from this class! I’m sure we’ll be blogging for this class, so please, check out what I have to say and leave comments so I don’t feel like I’m talking to nobody!

(Edit: After reading up on the Apple Education Event that happened earlier today, where they just announced iBooks 2 and their new digital textbook, and iBooks Author, I’m hoping we can spend sometime looking at what is next for technology integration. What was announced today could easily be the next step in 1-1 computing, and I’d really like to have a closer look at it!

Lists

Call me crazy, but I think lists keep the world moving in that nice little orbit and not crash into the sun. At least that’s what it feels like to me. For the life of me, I am horrible at multi-tasking, and my short term memory, well, sucks for lack of a better term (ask Nic how bad I am with names, for example).

For me, lists keep me focused and on track. There is no reason why not to use them.

Now, does anyone know if I can buy stock in Post-It Notes?

Hello 2012

Now that 2011 is over, I can set some goals for 2012. Nothing too “out there”, but a lot of things I’ve been meaning to get around to do or make a part of my day. Here we go

• Learn to cook

  I have a minimal knowledge of cooking, and being 23 years old, I need to expand this knowledge. I have found myself snacking on junk food more often than I would like. This is unhealthy for me, and my wallet, and needs to stop

• Be more frugal

  Lately, I’ve been spending a lot of money on food when it looks good at the moment, or little things that I really don’t need. I do need to stop doing that.

• Spend more time outdoors

  I’ve absolutely loved hiking the past few months. I want to get outdoors on a more regular basis!

• Read more

  I’ve read quite a few books lately, thanks to my Nook. I just want to free read more. Side note, read The Hunger Games. Now.

• Start a workout habit

  Working out really didn’t happen last year, and I really need a little more working out. (Idea goes to Zenhabits)

• Clean at least once a week

  This will help me stay organized, and just give me time to clear my head (and my room).

• Cut out clutter!

  This is the reason my room can look like a mess, and cutting out the clutter will make cleaning oh so much easier!

So those are my goals. Please, help me work towards them!

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012!

2011 is coming to a close, and 2012 is just about to begin. Before I set some goals for 2012, I want to look back to see how my resolutions for 2011 shaped up:

1) Blog at least once a week

• Once a week was kind of pushing it, but I’m still here, right?

2) Work out (in some shape or form) once a week

• This didn’t really happen, unfortunately. I went to the Rec Center once, and tried to run a mile outside (and ended up hurting for a week). Hiking has replaced running for me, and I’m going to keep that up.

3) Eat healthy

• I haven’t had “doubles” for pizza for quite awhile, and am making sure my meals contain something from each food groups. I’d say I’m working pretty well at this one.

4) Be more organized

• Still working at this one, but that’s a good thing! I’ve definitely become more organized with getting work done (post-it notes are a godsend!), and am working harder at keeping the room neat and tidy. I call this one a success too!

So that’s how 2011 shaped up. I think it was a pretty darn good year, and can’t wait to see what 2012 brings!

Stay tuned for my goals for 2012 tomorrow!

My Hiking Blog! http://about-the-journey.tumblr.com/

OK, so this might just be cheap advertising on my part, but in the past few months, I’ve started a Tumblr blog about my hiking adventures with friends. I’m trying to update it at least weekly, and would love for people to actually read it!

SO please! Check it out and follow me! Or even give me some ideas as to where our next weekend hike could take us!

http://about-the-journey.tumblr.com/

My SL History Tour

For class, we were tasked with creating a Second Life tour. I decided to put a historical twist on mine, since I am a Social Studies minor.

Here is the list of places I recommend visiting in Second Life:

• Second Life Wall of History
• Museum Island
• US Holocaust Memorial Museum
• Mount Rushmore National Museum
• Old World and New World Buildings
• Chateau de Versailles
• Explorer Island
• Cherokee Historical Park
• Apollonian Empire
• Virtual Iowa Town Square

 

So there it is! My journey through time (and a little bit of space) from the comfort of my own computer chair! Check it out and let me know what you think!

Trying to take a tour…

I took the Ancient Civilazations tour, which consisted of:

Apollonian Empire – Recreation of a Roman Empire type city, complete with ruins and chariot rides (which I couldn’t find).

Hittite Empire – Recreation of the Hittite Empire. I was surprised to see how closely it resembled recreations I saw in my textbooks!

Museum Island – One of my favorite places in SL. The Ruins of Petra are worth it alone! Especially to any Indiana Jones fan, who will recognize them as the temple where the Holy Grail is found!

Artwork Gallery and Mall – Part of the Apollonian Empire, this is a collection of artwork on display! A pretty neat way to display ancient artwork.

Roma the Roman Market – Reminded me of a gift shop in a museum! Great place to find a toga (why you would need one in SL is beyond me).

Blues in the Night – There was nothing but grass here… Definitely no Woodstock or Bonnaroo

Four Directions World Bazaar – Wasn’t available. Guess that’s world economic problems for ya!

Minoan Empire – Another no go. Too bad, I was hoping to fight a Minotaur!

Egyptian Emporium – No go

Nubian Empire – No go

 

I guess my Visa had expired or something by the end of my tour. Too bad, I was hoping to see Egypt!

 

Do the Clothes Really Make the (Second Life) Man? (and some reflection)

For our third task, we were told to change the clothes of our avatar. Originally, I used the “college student” default avatar:

Before

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This just seemed sort of blah, especially with the exploration I was set to do (since I think that’s the point of Second Life, at least as far as I’ve seen). so:

Much better!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So I changed into the “explorer” outfit! Much better for exploring Museum Island!

 

So, after all this time fiddling around with Second Life… I still don’t see it’s long lasting educational uses. Over all, it seemed like a fancy time waster, which was pretty much devoid of any other human contact (aside from when our entire class met). As for using this in a school setting, it is kind of cool to see accurately sized representations of landmarks, but is this source better than professional pictures from a National Geographic, or accurately depicted virtual models on Google Earth? I’m not so sure. Personally, I prefer the pictures along with a Google Earth view.

As for using Second Life in a classroom? I’m not really sold. The social aspect is nice, when it is there. I have yet to meet another person. I vouch more for blogging and social networking such as Twitter to build a student PLN, and I’m just not sure where Second Life would fit in to my ideal classroom technology use (if at all).

They Say (Second) Life’s About the Journey…

After beginning my journey into Second Life on Lionheart Island, I have to say Second Life makes a little more sense. The ability to press “alt” and click to zoom in on an object makes exploration a lot easier!

I’m a little discouraged that I have yet to find anybody in either Lionheart or Iowa Island that are also exploring Second Life. From the video that was shown in the second tutorial, it seems as though the main draw to the game is the social aspect. All I have found so far is a very condescending owl in the first tutorial section in Lionheart

Stupid Owl!

Now that I have completed those tutorials, hopefully I can continue my exploration into Second Life, and see where my journey will take me!

Moving in Second Life

If you’ve ever played a computer game, you will know how to move in Second Life. I prefer the classic WASD controls from far too many hours of playing Counter Strike, and they work like a charm in Second Life. I was tasked with exploring Iowa Island, and so I did!

Trampoling took it's toll...

On top of the Capital Building, pretty cool!

On top of UNI's Campanile! What is that underneath?

Overall, Iowa Island had quite a few locations to visit, some tougher to find than others! I think the recreations of areas across Iowa (the Campanile and the Capital Building) were the best attractions that were to be found on Iowa Island!