Do I need to know how it works to use it?

That was the question my niece asked my sister when she was learning to drive. Of course, the answer was "No, but it can help." I guess the same theory applies to Computer architecture. I really don't care what it looks like inside - or that there are 1024 bytes in a kilobyte (my husband tried to teach me this stuff when I first turned on a computer in 1994). I just care that it runs. And that is funny for me - especially when you consider that I replaced the engine of my car when I graduated college. Ok, my dad and I did it. But that was interesting stuff.
What is inside of a computer to me is just a bunch of gobble-tee gook. I know I can learn it if I have to (and I realize now that I have to), but I really don't care. Does that make me a bad computer operator? I don't think so - just one that will end up spending more money than I would otherwise.

Questions, questions, whose got the questions?

Describe your previous knowledge of the concepts presented in class 1. I have seen the inside of many different computers through out the years, most recently when my power supply went out on the computer that held my grades. I do back up, sort of, but onto my jump drive. The problem was that my husbands computer can't read my stick. (I don't know why - do you?)

What did you learn through the activities (including links and resources) in class 1? Computers are logical, and when you pretend that you are a computer, you better pay attention to details.

What quesions do you have about the material from class 1? Did the new video come in yet? Or will we just break down and watch the old one?

I wonder . . .

I have one follower. I wonder who it is. If I were being followed by the RSS feed to Google reader or such, then I should have a bunch more than just one. So I wonder who it is. How do I find out?
Just wondering.

"The best reason for blogging . . ."

According to the "Web 2.0 in Science: Success or Failure?" post, "The best reason for blogging is self-interest."
I guess I just discovered why I don't like blogging and why I will stop as soon as this requirement for class is over - I am not that interesting, nor am I that interested in myself. I always felt that blogging was an ego trip, and from the way I read that statement from another source, I am not the only one who thinks so. ;>)

Reflections on reflections

I can't count the number of times I thought, "I really need to change this before I use it again." Yet it seems that invariably I get sidetracked and at least half of those things never get updated as my reflection indicates that it should. After hearing about "Don't forget the Milk" in class on Monday, I thought that it might be worth it to me to find a similar program that I can access via my cell phone. I don't text (and I won't!), but a program that I could call at any time and leave the message might be useful; especially if it could convert my verbal notes into written notes. I would then have a "to do" list that I could access when I have the time to do.
I also shared the time-line application idea with another teacher at school, I just wish I could remember the name of that one. I hope Louis (or someone) comments on this and tells me, or that I get an email about it. I really think I would like a list of all of the Web 2.0 programs that our class reviewed. Some seemed very useful, and some seemed fun as well.

My activities this week

I have nearly completed my wiki for class. The link is:
http://chemthewayiseeit.pbwiki.com/FrontPage
but only my instructor is listed as a user so far. (If anyone else from class is interested, please let me know and I will see about adding you.)

According to the rubric, we need to use multimedia in this wiki, but I am confused. I have a Hydrogen Expose iMovie that I would love to include on the site, but I can't seem to do that. So I guess I will have to take a reduction in grade for that. I know that a lot of the links I supplied to the wiki have multimedia aspects - more than one has interactive periodic tables on which students click an element and either get information about that element or, in at least one case, get to watch a video that teaches a lot about the element. Does this count as multimedia in my rubric?

I also tried to add my Lab Ware Photos from Flickr, but the best I could do was insert a link. I don't know what I am doing wrong, but obviously something. And of course my group has already met via web conferencing and I didn't have these problems yet. Oh well.

I recieved links to some other wikis that are being created for class, so I will check them out and see if inspiration strikes through them. Maybe I can get some help doing what is required as well.

My podcast

This may not sound all that interesting, but what you have to image as I teach these students this little 'song' is a 300 pound teacher (with bad knees) dancing to the beat. Let me share with you, they laugh, and some of them talk about nightmares to come. Hmm, Maybe I should video tape it and just play it every year for them - that would save my knees. Anyway, here is the podcast.

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