Hire A DJ? by Brian on GoAnimate

listen to ‘learning journal entry 6’ on Audioboo

Lerning Journal Entry #5

In the previous Learning Module we talked on Facebook about Peer to Peer file sharing and illegal and legal downloading of content. Being a DJ this was a topic on which I had a lot to share with others. Also we covered a few more Web 2.0 tools such as Voki, Kizoa, Webresizer, and another one we didnt get to use but looks really neat called Codebaby.
Voki was used to make a text to speak avatar which we used to explain ideas for our final project. Webresizer is a good tool that can be used to optimize images for the web. This is important so that large images dont cause webpages to load very slowly. This effect can cause users of the site to lose interest by having to wait. Kizoa was a tool used to make an online slideshow. I have included mine in the previous post. Other applications are far more advanced for this type of video but this was a nice tool to make a quick simple video without the need for software and can be embedded right on a webpage. Codebaby looks like a great tool that I would love to use in the future. It uses on screen animation to advise users how to navigate around your website and can even explain your product or service to clients. It can be a little pricey but certainly a tool for the future.

I feel that I put much more time than usual into the facebook discussion than usual. This is most likely due to the topic. I am very passionate about the topic as downloading music is a big part of my business and I pay thousands of dollars each year to obtain content the legal way, knowing that my competitors are not. This has become a big problem in the world and I wish they could solve it. But when one site is shut down five more pop up in its place. It's a never ending battle for the music industry.

New Terminology
Freeware - Software the author allows you to download but has limits and is copyrighted
Shareware - Software you can download and demo but must purchase for permanent access
Web Based Learning - Delivery of education over the internet

Voki - Web Lab 12

Key West Slideshow

Key West Trip 

Learning Journal Entry #4

In learning module 4 we learned about some web 2.0 tools such as document sharing and social networking. We also had a discussion about face to face communication over digital communication. Even though I believe face to face communication is more important even in the digital age we live in there are some perks to digital communication such as convenience. But it was also nice to see some of the younger kids views on the discussion. For document sharing we learned how to share content and collaborate on projects using google docs. Also we used a tool known as Glogster to create digital posters teaching other students about various web 2.0 tools they can use. My glog was created on a social networking site used for business called LinkedIn although I found many of the other students glogs useful in helping me understand tools like Tumblr, PowToon, Instagram,GoToWebinar and even more on LinkedIn which I have previously posted in my Blog and can be viewed below. Social networking is something I use on a daily basis and it was nice to learn more about the tools out there that are available to me.


I feel the effort I put into these lessons was good. I read chapter 4 in our book on Communicating Online before starting the module and stayed on top of all of the assignments.


New Terminology 
Google Docs
PowToon
Webinar
WIKI
Courtesy Copy
Blind Courtesy Copy
Glogster

Here are some of the useful Glog's that people posted...

Learning Journal #3

In learning module 3 we learned about a few different topics such as Social Bookmarking, Scholarly Searching, Digital Reputation and Information Fluency. Chapter 3 taught us how to efficiently search the web using different search engine tools for either the surface web or the deep web. Boolean logic was a tool we learned that uses expressions to narrow your search results. These are some of the technology tools you will need in the 21st century. This information made it easy to locate and gather information which is known as information fluency. We were asked to use the schools Library database to search the Deep Web to find information on Network Neutrality in Web Lab 7 and we used a Citation tool called Citation Machine to cite our information in MLA format. Our Digital Footprint was another thing we were asked to research and I had found quite a bit of information on myself just by using the google search engine.

This information was not surprising to me to find based on the amount I use social networking sites as well as my business I run promotes this information to the public for ease of contacting me about DJ services. One more thing we discussed which is my favorite thing we learned in this module is social bookmarking. We were introduced to a tool known as Delicious and if you click on the link you can see all the bookmarks I have added so far. I will be using this much more in the future.

I have listed for you good technology skills that will be needed in the future that should be paid attention to by everyone.
1. Social Bookmarking
2. Boolean Logic
3. Digital Communication
4. Information Fluency
5. Digital Literacy


I feel I have put forth the effort in this learning module since the information we obtained I will be using in the future and I have already explored some of the tools even further. Knowing about these technology tools are a great help to anyone who uses computers in the 21st century especially for business marketing or communication.

New Terminology
Surface Web
Deep Web
Digital Footprint
MLA
Network Neutrality
Metasearch Engine
Bowtie Theory
IF - Information Fluency
Social Bookmarking
Spider/Web Crawler/Bot

Learning Module #2

In this Learning module we touched a few different topics such as Web Browsers, Online Security, Web Addresses, Internet Connections and Transmission Protocol.
Being I have used just about every web browser available at one point or another, going over the basic browser functions was more of a refresher than a lesson. But its always nice to review things. We went over the different settings available, and how to clear data such as cookies and cache. With online security we learned how important it is to keep your browser and antivirus software current. I pay a yearly membership to McAfee to make sure my data is secure and to make sure my system stays clear of nasty viruses, spyware, adware, malware etc. This topic was also included in our Facebook discussion where I was able to give people my insight on McAfee, and explained how their new all access suite can be used on all devices for one price and even keeps smartphones secure on a windows platform.

Something that I did not know much about was the fact that all Domain Names have an associated IP address that can be identified by using websites like NetworkTools.com. Also I was happy to learn that people with a cable internet connection have their bandwidth effected by everyone else in the neighborhood. This actually explains why I have problems sometimes maintaining certain speeds in my home office.
Most of the new material I learned in this Learning Module was from the Transmission Protocols section. We learned how each computer has its own IP address and computers use these addresses to send packets of data back and forth in order to transfer files, surf the web, email or any other function a computer can do through a network.

I feel I have put in the effort needed to do well in this learning module. I see how these are the basics of what we are leading into in this class and am making sure I know the material so I am not lost in future lessons. I certainly stayed more on top of discussions in this learning module and have been right on top of all the assignments.

Here is a Wordle I have created based on some New Terminology for this Learning Module



DNS - Domain Name System
MAN - Metropolitan Area Network
LAN - Local Area Network
MAC - Media Access Control

Spyware - Program that outsiders use to gather your information without you knowing
Adware - Form of spyware that uses the info to target users for advertising
Virus - potentially destructive program that can infect your system
Cookie - small file that saves website data such as username and passwords

Hop - Forwarding a data packet to the next router

Firewall - Protects your computer from unwanted access/hackers
Proxy Server - A computer software that uses an alternate IP address so it can hide from outside sources

Web Lab 2

Check out my screencast on "How To Change Basic Browser Functions in Google Chrome"

Functions covered include:
1. Change your home page
2. Turn On/Off your Pop-Up Blocker
3. Clear Your Cache (Temporary Internet Files)

Screencast Click Here

Learning Module #1

In this course so far we have learned a lot about the history of the Internet. Some of the interesting facts that I did not previously know was that in the late 60's 4 universities were networked together to test what we now know today to be the Internet. I had assumed the government was behind the start of a worldwide network which was true when the military needed a system of transferring information that couldn't be attacked by our enemies. But I did not know that this would be tested by education facilities before being released to the consumer in the early 90's.
It was interesting to see the timeline of when ideas came about. Being born in 1983, I actually remember some of these technology breakthrough's such as the GUI. I remember using a commodore computer as a child and having to run programs using ms-dos before operating systems such as Windows were released. Also from when I was a child I remember experiencing slow Internet connections such as dial-up and it is nice to appreciate the speed we have in the present such as cable Internet and fiber optic networks.

The facebook discussions were nice because we get to communicate with each other on different views of technology. Its nice to hear peoples thoughts which I know people sometimes have a hard time sharing in classrooms. It was also nice to get a heads up on some of the growing technology I have not yet heard about. I shared with the group information I had found about a new project known as google glass. You can see the post and the article below.

The Top 7 Technology Trends That Will Dominate 2014

I feel that I put in most of the time needed for this lesson as I have attended all classes, done the reading and even used the information relative towards other classes. I did very well on the quiz, took the time to learn the blackboard learn system and even participated in the facebook discussion. Although with the facebook discussion I could have payed a little more attention to the task at hand. I made a post introducing a new topic but even after reading the remaining discussion I failed to include myself by commenting on others. In the future I will make sure this does not happen again.

New Terminology

B2C - Business to Consumer

B2B - Business to Business

B2E - Business to Employer

C2C - Consumer to Consumer

Protocol - Standard or a set of rules

TCP - Transmission Control Protocol

HTML - Hypertext Markup Language

HTTP - Hypertext Transfer Protocol

VPN - Virtual Private Network

ARPANET - Advanced Research Projects Agency