Skype Tutorial

I created a video tutorial on how to use Skype for one of my Emerging Tech assignments. Had a little bit of trouble uploading it to YouTube, and actually lost my working file. The type of technology Skype utilizes is in different communication methods. You can text message, chat, phone call, or best of all video chat. I haven't figured out why there is a fee to talk online by phone but not by video chat with Skype? I would think the video chat would cost before a normal phone call would? Skype can be used in a number of different settings. Business' can chat online with multiple conference rooms for meetings. It can be used in a classroom setting, we "Skyped" a student into class one day when she was ill and could not make it. My audience for my video is anyone who wants to learn how to operate Skype software from scratch. It is a step by step tutorial that should be beneficial to someone in a corporate and educational setting. The objective is for viewers of this tutorial to know how to download and run skype successfully by the time they are finished watching. The goal of this tutorial is to introduce Skype to anyone interested in using new communication methods for the education or business setting.

Emerging Tech Questions 4 Ferdi

These are my responses to Ferdi from working with on Second Life:

1. Creativity and Innovation
Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology. Students:
A. apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes.
B. create original works as a means of personal or group expression.
Building in Second Life, this is almost like being able to give an art show in a virtual world. You can build and create objects from the ground up in SL. Second Life is now emerging as a useful tool in educational technology, new uses are being developed for it on a routine basis. This is can be one of them.
C. use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues.
D. identify trends and forecast possibilities.

2. Communication and Collaboration
Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others. Students:
A. interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media.
B. Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats.
Wiki’s can be used to express ideas, and can be edited by multiple groups at remote locations. Not only can multiple groups edit the page of a wiki to keep it updated, it can be viewed by anyone in the world who has internet access.
C. develop cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with learners of other cultures.
D. contribute to project teams to produce original works or solve problems.

3. Research and Information Fluency
Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. Students:
A. plan strategies to guide inquiry.
B. locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media.
C. Evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks.
Youtube can be used as a video media site to research and support ideas. There are many resources that are available and recorded about on YouTube, but you will have to filter out which ones are credible and which ones are not.
D. process data and report results.

4. Critical Thinking, Problem-Solving, and Decision-Making
Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources. Students:
A. identify and define authentic problems and significant questions for investigation.
B. plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project.
C. Collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions.
Data search bases on the interent can search for existing information and conducted research. When information is gathered from the search, the data can then be analyzed. Critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making can then be applied in ordr to draw a conclusion or develop a hypothesis.
D. use multiple processes and diverse perspectives to explore alternative solutions.

5. Digital Citizenship
Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior. Students:
A. Advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology.
Creating a digital video and uploading it to the internet. YouTube is a popular site where users upload the videos that they have created, for a variety of possibilities. You can find informational videos, instructional videos, personal videos, etc. You have to make sure that you follow copyright law and practice ethical behavior. There have been cases where students have been held responsible by the school they are attending for the content they have uploaded to the site.
B. exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity.
C. demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning.
D. exhibit leadership for digital citizenship.

6. Technology Operations and Concepts
Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations. Students:
A. understand and use technology systems.
B. select and use applications effectively and productively.
Using Second Life to teach curriculum. The first step is to know how to navigate through second life and how to work the operating system. Once that is understood, classrooms and meetings can be conducted in SL. Virtual slideshows, PowerPoints, and other visual examples can be used as supporting examples of how visuals can be used in a 3-dimensional setting.
C. troubleshoot systems and applications.
D. transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies.

GodTube II

God Tube, I was reviewing Megan's post on a video site called "GodTube." I just found out about the site about a week ago, but seeing that Megan blogged about it made me want to reflect a little further. There are all types of video "tubes" out there online today for various content to be displayed. Whether some display material for children, some for adults, sports, teachers, etc. Why not one about God? This site displays videos for spiritual and religious purpose, churches can use this as a form of ministry by being able to direct youth to log in and seek spiritual guidance instead of online mischief. This is a video that I was told to view by a friend that has a lot of spiritual guidance, take a look at it for inspiration.

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=ee73e63418003b47d7d5

Podcasts of Classmate

I just got done listening to the podcasts of my classmates in Emerging Tech. Overall they were really well put together, the different styles and approaches everyone took in delivering their message was great to listen to. I can see the different creative skills that each classmate possess by the way they conduct their show with sound effects, breaks, commercials, music, and other features. I only got a chance to comment on those who posted their podcast to their blog, so sorry for missing some of you. The ones that I reviewed were:

koreshkova
poche
Regine
steve
sarah rad

Everyone did great and I learned a little bit of something new from everyone.

18yr olds Youtube video lands him an Ad

Check this out, an 18 year old British student created a commercial about his iPhone and uploads it to Youtube. An ad agency for apple likes the work that he did so much, they called and hired him to use his video. You probably have seen the ad on your television commercials recently. There is news coverage on his story by NBC, click the link below to view.

Click here to view Nick Haleys iPhone commercial
View the original video below:


It's impressive to know that making a video for fun can make you thousands of dollars richer and receive job offers from national advertising firms!

Online users are uploading videos everyday on youtube, depending on the content you never know where your creation could land you. Regine posted the all-time most viewed YouTube videos on her blog yesterday. The number one video was a comedian doing a stand-up routine. His exposer on YouTube is now giving him world -wide recognition, who know where his career may take him now. You can go to Regines Blog to view the show.

2nd Podcast

In my first show of my two part series podcast, I explained the positive aspects of teaching in a 3-Dimensional world. Particularly teaching visual esthetic's and design. For my second podcast I explain how to use an instructional design approach while building, and conducting a class in the virtual world. I use Second Life as my stage to work on, and then I build from there. I really like the approach that I took, but I think I need to add additional time for a more thorough description of a few steps. There is a stretch where you hear Second Lifes nature sounds in my background, I already made too many changes to my podcast to erase the noise. So just imagine you're listening in a relaxed outdoor setting :-) Take a listen and tell me what you think.

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HP Touch Screen Computer

I was watching Martha Stewart yesterday and she introduced the new HP Touchscreen computer onher show. This computer allows users to keep it in an area in the kitchen, and use it to keep up with household to-do list. It can be used like sticky post notes, daily scheduling, posting chores, watching videos, and audio recordings. The system is ran by touching the screen to navigate, using a keyboard, or a mouse. Click the link below to see a short description of the product, it's not a available on the market in this area yet. But it can be put on reserve for orders, and it's only around $1,600-$1,800.

HP Touchscreen Computer

Currently It's Emerging Tech

I'm trying to keep up to date with my emerging tech course, I'm finding that it is tough at times. We are discovering and playing with so many "toy's" right now, that it's hard to find that happy medium of keeping up with what's required. I still think we are discovering what technology is more important then others. I am working on my new podcast, as well as doing research for my group project, blogging, twittering, and trying to stay active in SL. The group project thing is a bit more work then I expected, because there is not a lot of research based information out there on Collaborative Learning and Wiki's. It's good that we have a work day this week because I think we all need some time to research and meet on our own right now. I plan on being productive this week, so let's see if I can keep up!

My 1st Podcast

I just finished my first podcast and I'm pretty happy with it. For it to be my first time, I think I did a pretty good job communicating with the listeners. I have a problem with being too picky, and can be a perfectionist at times. So I found myself doing one take about 10 times a piece. Steve said that he did his in about 5 total takes, that amazes me! He does have the gift of thorough communication with him being in the field of ministry, so I can't be too hard on myself! I know that you're suppose to just let it flow but I find that to be difficult, I just think before I talk too often. I wish I could have used my sound effects and sounds a little more effectively, but we get to do a second podcast in a few weeks. I should be more comfortable, and the second time around should be less stressful.

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Scavenger Hunt

I completed my scavenger hunt on Tuesday in Second Life and it was as fun as it was challenging. I nearly completed the hunt before class started and then did a little searching while in class. I reviewed Tiffany's blog on the scavenger hunt and she expressed how difficult it was to find #'s 8 & 9. I found it difficult to find them as well as they were located underwater and in the sky. My effort towards finishing the scavenger hunt then led me to explore new islands and change features on my appearance and before I new it...I was being distracted in class. This is what happens to me in real life with gaming, and it is why I try to stay away from gaming and other addictive technology! I can admit, I do not know when to quit sometimes which is why I try to stay away from my potential addictions. I wonder if this may be a future problem for gamers if trying to work in an online environment? There was a research article that was published this past summer on the addiction of gaming and teens. I'm going to look it up and see if I can blog on it sometime this semester. Anywayz...

My hunt was completed during the week, I'm not quite sure where to post my snapshots though? I sent out a twitter mass message to see if anyone knew but didn't get a response and the files are too big to send through e-mail. So some feedback would be good from any of my classmates in cyberspace! Was it just me, or were the most difficult flags right under our noses?

My Technological Theme Direction

I have been pondering what I am going to do my theme on for a while now. I have a passion for art and design, I've been applying this passion by combining it with the use of technology as of recently. With that explained, I had a talk with Dr. Z. about what direction I should take with my theme and he gave me some inspiration to run with. I want to teach a topic that I have experience and a passion for, but I am not a supporter of teaching graphic and visual elements to an online audience. I say this because I am a visual and I would have a touch time just following a long with a text book that should be read, and assignment layouts that have due dates every other week with no visual support and guidance. I need to interact with my instructor and have examples demonstrated to be effective for me to learn. I could learn graphic elements online, but the knowledge would not be as effective as it would be in a classroom environment for me.
What has inspired me is teaching in a virtual world environment, Second Life is a good example of the capabilities and effective learning that can take place with my topic. Being able to show examples and visual displays in a 3 dimensional setting, or play movies and slide shows are all possibilities. I'm still getting acquainted with SL, so I know I have a lot to learn. But I have a lot of inspirational juices flowing with this subject matter. I look forward to developing it.
I have listed a link below is one that I am reviewing for my podcast. I think it should be beneficial as it addresses how to podcast for education and corporation.
http://www.learningcircuits.org/2005/jun2005/0506_trends

Exploring w/Emerging Tech

We had a fun and active class in Emerging Technologies this past week. I followed through with being active in Second Life and I've been working on my avatar, I've looked a bit crazy at times. There were times when I tried on come pretty funky looking clothes and I also got stuck in a womans figure for a while lol. With some of the avatars that I've seen though, that's not so crazy in SL. I'm just trying to get comfortable with working with the software for now. My professor Dr. Z., had the class get set up with Twitter. It's a short blogging device, I can see how it can come in handy in the world of updating news. I downloaded the icon shortcut to my desktop so that I would not have to log in on the web every time. It worked for a couple days, but now it's telling me that "no tweets are available" and I can't access it at all. I'll try to work these bugs out with in the next few days.

Second Life

Today I finished flying around in Second Life and trying to manage the tutorials. I'm not the most patient man in the world, so I started experimenting with the tools and options before the tutorials were complete. It is so strange, because I find myself interacting with people in the virtual world similar to the way that I interact with people in the real world. I am not one to go up and strike a conversation with anybody, and I often avoid it at times with strangers. I find myself trying not to bump into people, and not "stair" at them if they have on odd attire lol. I was reading my classmate Sarah's blog and she had a lot of frustration with getting to know the software. I had similar problems, but I like the trial and error methods so I just kept testing tools out. Sarah was saying that through her frustrations she can see the value that the software can have on the educational and training fields and I agree. If I'm interacting the way that I would in the real world in this virtual world, I think that learning can also be just as effective. I have some more flying around to do, so I'll be posting on additional findings again soon. In the meantime you can take a look at Sarah's blog and give her some feedback about what you think: Sarah Rad

Google Body?

Students at the University of Stanford and NASA have teamed up to build a virtual tour and look inside of the human body. The way that this procedure works is looking at the body from a 3-dimensional perspective, it was originally designed for medical students to become more comfortable with working on "virtual" patients before they start working on actual people. The project has developed an interest with merging with Google (as if google doesn't already run the virtual world), but the merger would be similar to Google Maps only a look inside the human form. Take a look at the link to read up on the procedure. The date listed is from June of 2007, but I caught this story on the Channel 7 news on Friday night. I decided to "Google" the title of the story and this was one of the first hits that came back lol. It is the same program, so review and let me know what you think if interested. Click here to view the article.

Facebook eases college anxiety for Freshman

I know I just posted about MySpace and Facebook, but I thought that this was an interesting article to review. CNN did an article on how freshman can connect with eachother before they meet during the first week of school. By doing so, they can set ground rules and get an understanding of each others personality without ever having to meet. Getting to know someone online can help break the ice of getting to know them in person. I thought that it was a relevant article to review, click here to view the article.




It would be interesting to see what your thoughts might be on this, especially if you read my previous blog on MySpace and Facebook. I was also reviewing Lois' blog on the importance of social networking in the new millennial age, and how Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter have been used as positive networking applications. I can see the benefits from her standpoint, and if you are online for business purposes, then you should definitely realize that. My opinion is that these applications can be used as social tools in a positive manner, but they can definitely be negative if abused. As this is the truth with about anything that consists of online interaction.

Yesterday we had a discussion on the issues of blogging, such as MySpace and the conflict that can occur with your employer. I agree that you can find some pretty KrAzY things that people will post about themselves when it comes to MySpace, and I can see how an employer would not want their organization associated with unprofessional behavior, or even not wanting to be associated with someone who is professional but has friends who are very unprofessional. It's even tougher working in the education field, I realized this when reading my classmates blog postings about the warnings administration gives faculty and staff on their web use habits. Children who have a lot of time on their hands, would love to play with the copy and paste tool on your photos and create some strange images that could be detrimental to your career, but only fun and games to them.
I do not have any of my images or personal information listed to be seen by people who are not a personal friend or safe acquaintance. I'm really debating if I want to keep the information that I've had up about myself currently, or take it down all together. I enjoy being able to keep in touch with old friends, but sometimes people you were only to have met for a season where not suppose to be an acquaintance for life. That is really what pages like MySpace and Facebook allow. Think about this...do you really want to be associated with people you hung out with as an unruly adolescent, when you are a professional in your 30's? What if those acquaintances are still unruly? They're your friends that you wouldn't mind grabbing lunch or having a drink with at sometime in your later life, but would you want to be associated with their unruly behavior online when you are professional? It should be a good rule of thumb, only post information about yourself online that you don't mind the world seeing and knowing. Because nothing is totally confidential when it comes to the use of technology, even with the right settings on your account manager!

Nanotechnology in Atoms?!?!

This caught my eye, storing energy in atoms. As if the computer chips today aren't already becoming smaller AND more efficient. If this theory is put in the works, space will no longer be an issue when it comes storage on your hard drive. Wires will not be internally damaged and need repair, and less energy will be required to run your computer systems. The technology is not expected to be around for about 10 years, but there is evidence of the theory being put into works. This is a theory that could really revolutionize the world (but as though we don't say that about all new technology lol, but seriously this can). Check out the link below.

http://www.pcworld.com/printable/article/id,136665/printable.html

Banking With Your Phone

This is interesting emerging technology, using your mobile phone for banking and locating ATM's. The concept is to give your phone navigational sense to direct you to the nearest ATM or bank of your choice. Not only do you get the directions, but you can make withdraws with your phone too. The concept is perceived as rather simple by the designer, and predictions are made for it's availibility in the next 3 to 5 years. The technology is already being used in Denmark and Singapore, it's intriguing when I see technology used regularly in other countries and then not explored at all in others. Especially in the industrial powerhouse of the US. I think it's just an example of the fascination the world has for these gizmos. Click the link below for more info.

http://www.physorg.com/news108191300.html

Teachers & Technology Networking

Technology has come such a long way within the last 20 years. In fact, technology makes leaps and bounds with it's capabilities every year. I worked in retail sales for Sprint about a year ago, one thing that I caught onto is that the phones would be outdated and "old" in a matter of 6 months. When a new phone would come out, it was the newest and hottest thing on the market for a total of 3 months. After 6 months the phone was usually no longer exciting, because several other new phones have over shadowed it's capabilities. When I was in college my second year, I thought it was amazing that my parents got a cell phone for me. Now, it is common for middle school students to have mobile phones. My professor Dr. Zeitz, informed my emerging technology class that there are schools that now require all students to have mobile phones in order to enroll in classes.

http://www.mobile-weblog.com/ Demonstrates and gives examples of new mobile technology for users. It is updated by users on a regular basis, interesting examples are:
Being able to translate languages from your smart phone.
Being able to watch surveillance footage from your phone.
Being able to unlock your keybox from your phone (for realastate).
All of there examples don't have to do with education, but I thought they were interesting.

Rough and Fun Weekend

It's been a rough and fun Labor Day weekend for me. I thought that I was going to get a lot of work done and a number of things accomplished for class this weekend, but that did not happen as planned. Asthma has caused me to not feel very well for the last few days, so I didn't get around to do a lot of things. The weekend has been fun because I had family visit and hang out for labor day, that's always nice. I think this week I will be feeling better and will be more productive.

Greetings

I'm ready to get started, this is my first blog post!