Week 8

LLA1: Identify and appropriately utilize content from the Internet, digital media, software applications, and hardware systems and tools to address academic, professional, and everyday tasks and problems. Demonstrate an understanding of and ability to respond to the benefits and risks of applied technology, including networked computing, ethics, and personal security in an ever-changing technological context.


I would remove
"Demonstrate an understanding of and ability to respond to the benefits and risks of applied technology, including networked computing, ethics, and personal security in an ever-changing technological context"

I feel like learning the basic computer functions and software should be one section and the Demonstrating an understanding of and ability to respond to the benefits and risks of applied technology, including networked computing, ethics, and personal security in an ever-changing technological context should be a second section. I feel like this particular outcome is overloaded with to much information all at once. Marylhurst caters to the adult population and at this time that generation is not as familiar with computer functions let alone the internet, security and ethics concerning technology. I think in this case Marylhurst is expecting to much of its adult clientele. Even large numbers of my generation (20-35ish year-olds) are not completely familiar with computers and some technology. So for now the computer literacy outcome should be split into two major sections allowing for people to take the section that best fits into their educational needs as well as person technological goals.

Week 7

How to use flash drives.


A link with step by step instructions
www.howtodothings.com

A video for the visual learners

WEEK 6

I LOVE this topic! It goes right along with my media and society class that I am in. I definitely believe that technology, computers and social networking specifically, have thrust us into a new culture and have brought people from around the world into our living rooms. We have access to more culture and more ways of doing things and new ideas then ever before. We can share ideas, we can share images and writings and teachings. We have an amazing gift of communicating with people who even 50 years ago we couldn't communicate with at all on a home to home basis. That's the greatest thing, world communication is no longer restricted to travelers, government, military or business people. The average Joe can talk to a person in Japan in real time from his own home!

I do however have grave concern in how this has diminished our ability to communicate face to face, person to person with those that are right in our own homes. It is great that we can communicate in seconds with anyone and even world wide but I do fear that it takes away from the personal aspect to having coffee and good conversation with someone you know and love. I think that media and technology act as a shield for us to hide behind. It acts as a mask that we can shape and alter to fit our idea of perfect so that is what the rest of the world sees us as. I think it takes away that intimate interaction with those around us and we will some day loose any and all communication skills, confrontation skills and people skills.

I personally think that moderation is the key here, we need to have both worlds and use them both equally, being careful not to abandon one or the other. We need harmony between communication with computers and communication with people.

Week 5

One course that comes to mind almost immediately is one I took last term. This course was particularly engaging for me because the teacher used a wide variety of methods in an attempt to cater to all learning styles. We had a couple lectures where we took notes, we had some power point presentations and we had in class discussions. We were given hands on projects to accompany our papers we were writing, which for me helps me visualize what im writing about.

Aside from the diverse teaching styles the teacher also engaged the class in discussions with each other. We sat in a circle, creating a sense of community and support. She took great care in making the classroom feel as though we were safe to express our ideas without consequence or ridicule.

I really enjoyed this class, typically it is hard for me to stay engaged in a class. My ADD tends to take control when I feel bored or under challenged. I appreciated that when she was catering to those who learned by just listening to lecture she was flexible with me. She allowed me to bring to class a small task that is mundane enough to not be a distraction but was enough to keep my mind focused so that i would hear the lecture and not day dream away.