GOING WILD

Needless to say I use my cell phone ALL OF THE TIME. It is my PDA and handheld all combined in one. I have used it to work on projects with some of my friends as we have planned social outings and events for our Social Club. Just the other day I took my son to an ice cream social and we were lost. I pulled over and whipped out my phone, accessed the internet, found the phone number to the facility on the web, called and got accurate directions. This is just one example of how a wireless device saved me!

In my perspective the advantages of using wireless are endless. The primary advantage of wireless is that you can take them everywhere without limitations. They are convient, small, usually reliable as long as you have battery power.

The Disadvantages include short battery life and keyboards that are not as convient as the standard, due to size.

Use as a colloborative tool include the ability to communicate in real time vs extended time. When planning I was able to "meet" with numerous people in various states simultaneously even when I was at my son's drum line performance. I very well could not take my laptop out and work in that environment, however; I could use my handheld to conduct business.

I also like the write on touch screen which translates my handwriting into a types file. Although, it is sometimes inaccurate, this is another useful tool.

Virtual Worlds & Whyville

Virtual Worlds are vastly taking over the internet. These "zones" are places where people spend countless hours creating faces, personalities, shopping, and even going to spas. Whyville is an online VR Zone specifically designed for preteen girls and boys. It has 1.7 million registered "citizens" that come from all over to learn, create, and have fun together. Whyville is their world. Whyville has places to go, things to do, and of course, people to see. Whyville has its own newspaper, its own Senators, its own beach, museum, City Hall and town square, and even its own economy - citizens earn "clams" by playing educational games.

This website is very applealing, colorful, and engaging. Interaction is done via virtual characters. Initially, this was a bit difficult for me bacuse I had not had any prior experience with Virtual Zones. And I realized that learing the interface of this program would require more time and energy than I was willing to give, however; I do think that the children would be engaged enough to learn it.

The only thing that stood out to me at Whyville was the fact that the environment was truely child friendly. At one point when I was trying to decide on what clothes I wanted, it warned me against trying to show any body parts. That was definately an asset.

Fun & Games

Playing Games online has fastly become a popular trend amoung people across the world. I have not personally participated in playing any games online, however; I did once date a guy who love online gaming as much as I love surfing the net. He would connect his playstation to the television and the enthernet cable to his game. This would lead to hours and hours on onlibe gaming.

I would often come into his house and hear him screaming at the top of his lungs at someone as far away as China. The community of players was formed and they would often challenge one another either as a team or individually.

I do look forward to learning more about online gaming especially as it relates to usage in education and counseling.

Still Weathering The Storm

My power has been out since Wednesday and at this poit they don't know when it will begin to work again. I feel so displaced, I have moved 4 times from one place to another, only until the storm took the power away again. I have not been able to use my laptop (which has been punishment enough) needless to say. Anyway here are some photos I took of my house yesterday.






I have learned to appreciate the small things that I so frequently took for granted!

Kynedra

Website Review

Website Review

CLEO- Collaborative Learning Environments Online
http://teaparty.terc.edu/testbed.html
Purpose of Site
To provide a place where data rich inquiry projects in Math & Science
Intended Audience
Teachers & Students
Collaborative Learning Experiences
Online Mentoring, Virtual Conferences, Interactive Poster Halls, Use of Telecommunications to conduct Scientific Investigations Around the World, Webquests, Digital Videos, Extensive List of Program Resources http://www.terc.edu/programs.html

Advantages/
Disadvantages
The primary advantage of this site is the vast amount of resources that are provided. The main disadvantage is that the design is not as child friendly as it could be.
My Opinion
I would definitely use this site for project development.

Belvedere
(http://lilt.ics.hawaii.edu/lilt/software/belvedere/index.html)
Purpose of Site
To help students learn critical inquiry skills that they can apply in science and other subjects.
Intended Audience
Teachers & Students
Collaborative Learning Experiences
Problem-based collaborative and developing concept maps through which middle-school and high-school students learn critical inquiry skills that they can apply in everyday life as well as in science
Advantages/
Disadvantages
This software will allow students to make scientific based concepts maps while working in teams and taking responsibility for their own learning. I am concerned about the software interface in terms of difficulty.
My Opinion
This software appears to be something that could be used in most technologically based classrooms.



I*EARN Learning Circles
(http://www.iearn.org/circles/
Purpose of Site
To create Learning Circles which are highly interactive, project-based partnerships. This is done among a small number of schools located throughout the world.
Intended Audience
Teachers & Students
Collaborative Learning Experiences
Online collaboration that includes writing, photography, & digital video
Advantages/
Disadvantages
I was most impressed with the organization and the registration reuirements along with the specified time frame. The only disadvantage was that some of the links on the site did not work.
My Opinion
My Hero is the theme for 2006-2007 and as a school counselor, I think that activities that focus on character development are far too often not done. I liked this site the most of the three reviewed.

Online Identity I AM KYNEDRA

Hey it worked! just trying out some of the cool things that people are using in their instant messages and blog. I must admit that through this class, I have been afforded the opportunity to explore and learn about new tools and web experiences that I have never done before.

I often do not have time to regulary visit chat rooms online, however; I do have friends that spend numerous hours online chatting. When I asked my friend Teresa why she spent so much time she responded by telling me that this was her way out. She went on to explain this statement. Her father passed a few mnths ago and she found a chat room that was designed as a support group for people who have suffered a loss. This is an example of the one of the positive effects of technology!

Instant messaging is atool that I have used in multiple settings. My fiance' lived in Texas for 2 years prior to our marriage. Needless to say, we used Instant messaging frequently. I love the inetrface because it can be as simple as typing words onto the screen or as connected as using a web cam to integrate video.

after doing some research on online identity, I have come to the conclusion that too many people are giving out too much information. In some cases I was able to learn first and last names in addition to cities, states, and zip codes. This was a concern to me simply because it seems as if these people are setting themselves up for dangerous situations. I think that s is an area that needs to be further explored so that peole can become aware of how to protect their identity and what info should remain anonymous.

I usually try to keep my identity secure when online but, I do use my first name which may be an oxymoron because I am the only Kynedra that I know. I am skeptical of most things so I am not one who easily divulges information. I do fill out the demographic information accurately, I wonder how many other people who participate in web activities can say the same. This is one of the scary parts of online communication.

To Blog Or Not To Blog

Why Blog? Why Blog?

1. It’s Free!
2. All the cool people do it
3. Connect with an audience of dozens to millions.
4. Stop sending mass emails to everyone.
5. Archive your thoughts.

While searching for a blog that focused on Juvenile Diabetes, I stumbled across the “Diabetes Diary” on Blogger.com – url http://kelseysdiabetesdiary.blogspot.com/2006/06/jdrf-annual-meeting.html#comments
This is basically blog developed by a woman who has Diabetes. She was discussing the San Diego JDRF Chapter’s Annual Research Update. I found this blog to be interesting because this is a topic that is very dear to me.

The overall format of the blog is consistent with the blog which you are viewing discussion on. This is a site that would most likely appeal to adults who are affected by Juvenile Diabetes and its complications. While I am very captivated by the research portion of finding a cure, I do realize that the average person whose life has not been affected by Diabetes may consider this to be a boring zone.


The second blog that I chose to explore can be found at http://g8.no/index.php I found this to be one of my absolute favorite blogs because I have a natural interest in pictures. I take my camera with me everywhere and I am known to many as the official, unofficial photographer. This blog is set up so that even the absolute computer illiterate can participate needing only a name and email address.


In terms of socialization vs personal discussions online, I must admit that I think that blogs do both. In my opinion there are sites that promote genuine socialization, but there are also sites that often go unknown/ unrecognized and as a result become personal discussions. I hope that the marketing/promotion of blog sites some how becomes more efficient.

REFLECTIONS #1

Technology Is Way Too Cool!

As I began this activity of creating a blog, I realized that I set up an account on Blogger back in 1990! Can you imagine that? This assignment like most technology, is a genuine interest that I naturally have. This tool appears to be simular to the discussion board and is fairly simple to execute.

Computer Supported Colloborative Learning

I utilize Computer Supported Colloborative Learning (CSCL) on a daily basis

Emails- DAILY NEEDLESS TO SAY - From emailing doctors to emailing my 8-year old son at camp

Computer Conferencing- First Grade Classroom to First Grade Classroom

Open Bulletin Boards- Alpha Kappa Sorority Inc. User Groups

LANS (Local Area Networks)- Schools

Hypermedia- Video, Digital Scrapbooks

Computer Mediated Communication

Emails- I used them daily needless to say- from emailing doctors to emailing my 8-year old son while he was away at camp.

World Wide Web- Educationally and Socially

Audio Conferencing- Podcast, I just learned how to do this in my previous class.

Video Conferencing- I did this daily for nearly 2 years whilemy fiance' lived in Texas and I live in Missouri

Voicemail- Everyone has this now days!

Text Messaging- My son is in the process of teaching my mom how to do this (LOL)

I don't have any experience with newsgroups but, I would like to learn more.