Wiki Dissection & BQ

1.  What is the purpose of this Wiki?

The purpose of this Wiki is to inform readers about positive technological innovations that have      changed the way things are done. Such technologies/innovations include graphing calculators, blogs, Google, SMART Board, social networks, etc.

2.  When was the last post?

November 7, 2007

3.  How was this Wiki created?

This website was created via wikispaces.com.

4.  What would you add to it?

Personally, I would add some videos and pictures to make it look more appealing to the eye. 

5.  What did you learn from it?

From this article, I learned about the various innovations that have changed the way things are done. Sometimes, I take our technologies for granted, and I forget how things started off prior to all of these innovations. It leaves me in awe to see how far we have come.

6.  If you had to create a Wiki with a team, what would be the specific topic(s)?

I know that bias should not be part of a Wiki, but there are various controversial issues out there that all involve bias of some sort. That is just the reality of it. I would make a Wiki about the abortion debate with a team. One section would include all of the factual specifics about the abortion process, while another section would include bias about whether or not abortion should be legal. To make things fair, both sides of bias would be included so that readers can evaluate both sides of the argument. People across the world can collaborate and share their views.

7.  How can Wikis be used in the classroom or in education?

Wikis can be used in the classroom to collaborate on projects, or to add to an online class discussion. It can also be used as a tool to help those in class who are confused about certain topics. Perhaps homework could be posted on a shared Wiki, and classmates can work as a team to collaborate on it and understand the questions they do not initially understand. You could learn from your classmates' answers and thought processes. Perhaps we can use it for our do-nows as well, so that everyone can see one another's posts/opinions.

Wiki

Wiki Appliances

1. Wiki is a very versatile network that is very applicable even in the classroom. To me, Wiki would specifically be very helpful in my AP Chem class. AP Chemistry is the hardest and most rigorous class I have ever taken. I really have to try in that class; I have never struggled more academically with any other class. Before the start of each chapter, it is required that we all tie comprehensive notes; however, some of our notes are more comprehensive than others', so it would be nice if we could all collaborate and share our notes on a wiki that is viewable to all classmates. The homework and labs can be very tricky as well, so it would be very beneficial if we all collaborated on a wiki with the homework questions on it. 
2. Some of the benefits of using a Wiki in a class are noted above. Overall, I think it would enhance the learning experience, for you can learn from your classmate's answers and thought processes. It would also be great for working on group projects as well, because everyone could work on the project simultaneously while in the comfort of their own home.
3. We can create a Wiki, first by making accounts for each of us. We can use it to technologically contribute to in-class discussions, collaboratively work on projects, and make presentations. Perhaps we can use it for our do-nows as well, so that everyone can see one another's posts/opinions.
4. The only experience I have had using Wiki is Wikipedia, which is great. I use it for practically every project; there is such a vast range of information.

My Extended Weekend

     Last weekend marked six months with my boyfriend, but college apps were due last weekend, so we decided to celebrate our anniversary this weekend. My sister has been wanting to see The Book of Life in theaters, so we took her on a movie date with us. The trailer for that movie made it look really stupid, so I was not looking forward to it at all. However, the movie itself was one of the best animated films I have ever seen, and it was rated four out of five stars so far. It was very comedic and entertaining, but more importantly, what made me really fall in love with it was its sentimentality and moral. It is a highly recommended must-see, especially if you have kids or young siblings!

     After the movie, we went to California Pizza Kitchen and ordered the most delicious pasta dish: 

A highly recommended dish, as well as a highly recommended restaurant.

Overall, it was a very memorable night out with two of the people I love and care for most.

Technology Article 10/24

Air Umbrella Creates "Force Field" That Keeps You Dry

• Air Umbrella created in China
• head has a motor that forces the air up and out
• forced air creates a canopy that shields one from rain
  
• the shaft is a rechargeable lithium ion battery
• the air canopy can be expanded to over a meter in diameter, making room to shield two people
• can perform well even in heavy rainfall, but cannot withstand heavy wind
• cheap models sell for $118
• battery life is a maximum of 30 minutes per charge

Click here to read the full article.

Technology Article 10/10

Facebook Developing Anonymous Chat Service

• Facebook may be developing a new app that allows users to interact anonymously
• allows users to use pseudonyms
• experts say that this app could be related to facilitating the anonymous discussion in regards to health issues
• Facebook is trying to weed out competitors (Whisper, Secret, Ello, Twitter, etc.) that already embrace anonymity in response to the outcry/opposition against Facebook due to its recent ban of pseudonyms

You can read the original article here.

Web 2.0: Multimedia Blog Pre-Posting

AP Literature

     This year, one of the three AP courses I am taking is AP Literature with Ms. Green. In this class, we will be reading and analyzing various classic literary pieces in preparation for the AP exam in May. In addition, we also study vocabulary from the Wordly Wise book. Most importantly, we write several in-class essays to adapt to writing under time pressure and thinking quickly on your feet, so that we are well prepared for the AP exam at the end of the course. 

     This year, I expect to expand my horizons in regards to literature, and learn more about the lives of respective writers. So far, we have gone through one word list and have written two in-class essays. We have also gone through our first piece of literature: The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams. The AP grading policy is as follows: 50% for tests, 25% for quizzes, 15% for projects and informal assessments, and 10% for homework and class participation.

     Technology is certainly of use in this class. I use websites such as Sparknotes to aid me in my understanding of literature and analysis. Additionally, I use Purdue Owl for references for MLA guidelines. 

     I personally think that Ms. Green is wonderful at lecturing. Her dry humor keeps me engaged and she is very thorough in her literary analyses. Although I personally do not enjoy reading, I have an appreciation for literature that many non-readers lack. I love learning about how the lives of writers influence their work, and I love analyzing symbolism and the tendencies of human nature within literary works.

Learn more about the AP Lit exam:

To access Ms. Green's website, copy and paste the following web address:
http://wood-ridge.schoolwires.net/Page/585

To access the complete set of word lists, copy and paste the following web address:
http://www.wordlywise3000.com/games/book12.cfm

Educational Technology & Copyright Law

     Copyright is a United States federal law that protects original “works of authorship” which include literary, written, dramatic, artistic, musical and certain other types of works. When anyone creates any kind of writing or illustration, it is automatically copyrighted. Even if one takes a picture it is copyrighted. The four exclusive rights one has to his/her copyrighted work include the following:

1. The right to reproduce the copyrighted work
2. The right to display the copyrighted work publicly
3. The right to prepare the derivative works based on the copyrighted work
4. The right to distribute copies of the copyrighted work to the public by sale, rental or lending, and/or to display the image

     However, according to fair use, one is allowed to use copyrighted work within their project, presentation, etc. as long as one does not sell the material or claim it as his/her own. It is okay to use copyrighted work for nonprofit educational purposes. The copyright law states the following:

Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright. In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include—

(1) the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;

(2) the nature of the copyrighted work;

(3) the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and

(4) the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.

     However, there are exceptions to the fair use policy. For example, if a photo is licensed, it cannot be used unless stated otherwise.