IT365 Exit Questions - So Much in Such Little Time!

1) How would you explain ‘technology integration’ to a future student’s parents?
I would do everything possible to help that parent understand that technology will impact just about every part of our lives, and students who are comfortable and familiar with technology will have an advantage in school settings. Technology integration in education will continue to expand, in particular as observed in the growth of distance learning programs. Parents need to realize that exposing their students to technology in the home will help that student in achieving in the classroom. Not having a computer in the home can really hinder the learning experience of students today, for many schools are moving away from traditional lecture formats, and secondary programs almost always require that students type papers at some point, and have good online research skills. Students need to comfortable online and possess good typing skills, and not just texting.


2) Give an example of how you would integrate the subject matter from a class or classes taken this semester with technology. I for one, could see converting the requirements of this class to an online program for many of the assignments were accomplised via the web, and its resources. Even the group assignments could be accomplished in chat room like settings. The only challenge I would foresee is with the videos that included more than one person, but if the content was modified where each student contributed a small video that one member could merge into a single movie, even this wouldn't be much of a challenge. This would be a challenge of course to a student unfamiliar with advanced ripping, or burning software applications.

3) A. Give an example of hardware and software. Hardware is computer monitors, printers, and hard drives.
B. Give an example of a browser. A browser is internet explorer.
C. Give an example of a search engine. This would be google.
D. Give an example of a spread sheet program and database program. Excel is a spreasheet program and microsoft access is a database program.

4) Out of the legal issues we discussed in class, what do you believe is the most important for the future classes you will teach? Plagiarism will always be a hot issue today for many students don't understand legal boundaries when it comes to intellectual property such as stories and movies creations, and a lot of the content available via the web. Mixing and sampling is so commonplace today that a lot of young people don't realize how long a lot of information has been around, such as when listening to some of the latest songs where many in the older generation already know that there are earlier versions. Knowledge of original authors can get muddled when watching new adaptations of film also.

5) If the partners were randomly chosen, do you believe working with partners in a computer lab is worthwhile? Why or why not? I think partners are essential for computer labs, for students have varying backgrounds with technology, and those more exposed can assist those less familiar, or who may be a little bit more intimidated by technology or the requirements expected in the course. I think random selection is good, for it forces the students to get out of their comfort zones when working on projects, and it aids in saving time turning assignments in. The disadvantage of course, is when your paired when those who may be just as challenged as yourself, yet this could be overcome, by reaching out to those in different groups, or seeking assistance from the instructor.

6) Several of you have mentioned adding class assignments that are outside of the computer lab (ie. Football game, recycling). Name one technology-based activity that would work outside of class. I would recommend a movie experience, in particular some of the new animated flicks, and I would have students compare animation as it was presented for instance in the 70's with the big budget animations produced today. An action movie such as Iron Man would be a good resource for discussing the benefits of technology.

7) If Twitter is to be used in future IT 365 classes, what recommendations would you make so that we have a more user-friendly experience?
I really liked the twitter as the course went on, and found it was an awesome tool for checking on class assignments and just saying hello to fellow classmates. I would specify some criteria that did not make it necessary to continuously be on the site, for instance posting assignments during a particular time period, for many of us have no desire to be glued to a website. I thought regulating the twittering time was a good idea, but reinforce the time restrictions early on so students will embrace it as a instructional tool rather than a social outlet.

8) What technology-related activity, etc. did you learn from this class, that you didn’t know before enrolling and that you feel confident enough to do or use on your own without any help?
Again, I believe I will use the Rubistar again as I grow in instructional developmental duties, and I would probably rely on TurnItIn if connected to the proper educational system. Most of what was done in the class, I can accomplish on my own without assistance.

9) What technology-related subject/area/program, etc. did we not cover that you feel should be covered in this class in the future? I really love networking so even if introduced on a basic level, networking is so fundamental in my opinion to technological usage, for computers are really paperweights, and not very resourceful if not connected to external networks today. I would at least discuss it, even if not allowing the students to set up a system in some way. I remember someone kicking the power interface on the switch in the classroom which left one row of computers unavailable for classroom usage. With networking I understood that there was a central component that linked all of those systems and was able to restore the power to the device, which alleviated the bundling together that we were beginning to do at the few systems on the side of the room that didn't lose power. Yet again, this was a networking device.

10) What technology-based activity in this class do you feel was most beneficial to your future as an educator? TurnItIn, Rubistar, the Big Bus, the Instructor's Blog and Teacher's website would benefit an instructor for here lies measurement tools that can either guide the evaluation processes, or aid new teachers in knowing what to expect as when measurement performance. Of course the blog would benefit in introducing the instructor and reminding students of assignments. I don't think I would recommend Twitter for assignment reminders although it was very helpful in this course.