Private Universe Theory

After watching these videos and reading the transcript I felt a little better that Harvard students had some common misconceptions like me about seasons and weather change! 

I always find questions like that interesting because I haven't actually had to think about the seasons or any type of environmental science since High School over 10 years ago! 

I also found it interesting that many times even though we watch or learn something we memorize it in a different pattern and convince ourselves that something is correct when it actually isn't. My boyfriend swears I do this all the time, I remember things differently than what actually happened. He has a great memory and mine is terrible so I'm guessing I do actually remember things differently than what is the actual truth. 

 I have a hard time concentrating sometimes and zone out often. I highly doubt I have A.D.D.. I'm convinced this mindset of paying attention for a short amount of time and then zoning out is common with people our age. 

If you look at television the camera angle changes a bunch of times when watching tv to keep our attention and to keep us entertained. Then we get commercial breaks where we zone out and don't really pay attention. The reality is that everything we are doing now is focused on keeping our attention, the attention span media has with typical viewers is very short. The same goes for learning, even if we are watching something that is educational we aren't truly paying attention. Even if we are paying attention this is proof that we still remember things differently and attention spans with kids is getting shorter and shorter with each generation. 

Wesch Video's Reflection

I REALLY enjoyed Professor Wesch's videos, especially the "Vision of Students Today". 

Growing up I had 2 TV channels and never had the internet. I played outside in all types of weather and remember reading everything I could get my hands on including encyclopedias that my mom had  bought for me at a thrift store.  

I vaguely remember getting a computer when I was a teenager and figuring it out very quickly.  I remember playing Chips Challenge on our home computer. I remember getting sucked into the challenges and neglecting to do my homework because I wanted to play the computer game. The computer that we had was very slow! I think we tried having internet but the dial up was so slow on the mountain I lived on in high school but  it wouldn't work. I visited my mom last weekend and her internet is still super slow which I don't understand, but their whole neighborhood swears there is no other option for internet access. 

The Vision of Students today was pretty spot on as far as data goes for current college students. I found myself agreeing with all of the signs they held up including I buy $100 text books and never use them. I don't understand why teachers require a text book when we can look up the pdf online usually or find the same theories and information online and not have to pay for it! 

I also found myself agreeing with not getting enough sleep, wasting time on FB and the internet, and writing alot more emails than actual papers for classes in my undergraduate degree. Although I still did all these things I knew what was expected of me in school and was able to graduate with honors. I think assignments just took me longer because I would get distracted and browse the internet in between paragraphs!

I'm taking a digital technology in education course and it is with all teachers. Its interesting to hear their viewpoints on technology in the classroom. Some think it should be a huge part of the way they teach and have math Olympics against students in other countries, they were able to receive a grant for Ipads and do lessons on them everyday. Others think that kids get distracted using it and don't focus on the lesson plan and just use it computers entertainment. 

I wanted to share this video about creativity in the classroom. Are public education systems trying to produce university professors and killing creativity?? 

Reviewing Introduction Videos Reflection

Reviewing our introduction videos was an interesting experience. I took video production last semester in order to learn how to edit videos and so I felt like I had some experience critiquing videos. 

We had to do a similar exercise for all of the videos we produced and after watching every persons video they created we would all discuss what we liked and what needed improvement/they should change. Many times we would go back and edit our videos per the classes suggestions and it always helped with the overall quality of the video.  

 I think there is always a need for improvement in everything and if we just settle how will we get better at things? I appreciate everybody's feedback and even though I doubt my fear of being on camera/speaking in front of others will change maybe my web videos will begin to improve with some changes and becoming more comfortable. 

Web 2.0 Position

(Job description would be posted on jobs.ncnonprofits.org)

Web 2.0 Specialist Needed! 
Critter Magazine a free community animal rescue magazine is in need of a Web 2.0 specialist.

• Experience using Facebook, Twitter, Blogging, LinkedIn and other social networking sites required.
• Experience with Adobe Suites, and Microsoft Office required. Employee will be expected to assist with designing ads, editing photos and assisting with the magazine layout as needed.
• Experience with seeking grants electronically preferred, employee will be required to assist with developing grant proposals, and work collaboratively with supervisor to research funding sources and sponsors via the web. 
• Daily maintenance to all social networking sites is expected. Employee is expected to work on developing a web presence on a daily basis, and find Web 2.0 resources to appeal to an audience of ALL ages.
• Candidate must be passionate about animal rescue, spay/neuter efforts and ways to end euthanasia in animal shelters in WNC. 

To apply for this position send in resume, cover letter and portfolio to Jessica Bryant- crittermagazineboone@gmail.com.

Objectives

• Learn what Web 2.0 is and how it is useful for business settings. 
• Learn how to promote Non-Profit organizations online and learn how to navigate web & social networking sites to promote their cause. 
• Become more comfortable in front of a web camera. 
• Stay on top of our assignments and teach myself how to use the sites we are learning about. 

First Week Reflection

This class has been pretty intimidating for me and I'm still working on not getting behind. I am glad that all of our assignments are in asulearn now and I feel a little better about completing them this week. I also prefer to know due dates for assignments so I'm hoping that as I write this isn't being submitted too late :).  I had a feeling when our professor asked us about what kind of learner we were we may be on our own for some of these things. I am excited about learning how to use some of these websites and this is my first blog so bear with me as we go!!