This course has given me the chance to reevaluate my own personal computer knowledge and use. The most valuable things this course has taught me are: Live cds, pen drive applications, computer back up plans, and knowledge about computer components. I now know more about computer applications and its hardware.
What if complete computer failure occurred? While complete computer failure seems unlikely, I could not imagine the devastation that such an event would create. The biggest scare to me deals with money. I rarely use cash. If a computer virus wiped out all bank records I would loose all of my money. I put a lot of trust into banks and computer security and I would like to believe that this is virtually impossible, but the truth is that I have no idea what companies are doing to protect my information. It is pretty scary to think about.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
What I am Learning in CEDO 510 and How it Applies to my World Part 2
As I mentioned in my previous post, the class that I am currently taking at Cardinal Stritch is called Computer Systems: How they work. In this class we will discuss the history of the computer, the different components of computers, the role of an operating system, the various operating systems available, viruses, and what makes up an ideal computer.
Last time I blogged about how the content in this course will give me the knowledge to become a better consumer and user of computers. This time I will focus on how I use technology now and how this course will affect my future usage.
I use technology everyday. I use it for all my work needs and I use it at home for social networking, media download and storage, and research. I have become technology reliant and I would freak if I were to lose my computer as a tool and resource. The most beneficial part of this course is that it has forced me to look at ways to prevent losing my valuable information due to a technology disaster. We will be researching a variety Linux OS and live cds,viruses and virus protection, a backup plan for a technology diaster, and various computer components.
I heard about Linux before this course started but I had not used it. This class required us to try out two different Linux operating systems. I was impressed with their ease of use and responsiveness. The best part about this project was that I learned how to make a live cd so that I can boot the OS directly from the cd without installing it. This is incredibly useful if the operating system on a computer fails because it will still allow you to access your harddrive and retrieve your files (this can also be done with an external hard drive case). I also liked that you can boot the OS directly from a usb drive. This lets you take your personal operating system with you wherever you go and on whatever computer you use.
Viruses have always been a threat to a computer and I have always tried to take the proper actions to prevent them from affecting my computer's performance. I am sure that when we discuss and research more about viruses, I will learn more information about them and how to prevent them.
The backup plan for a disaster will be a great assignment that forces me to rethink my plan in the event of a computer disaster. I will research uninterruptible power supplies, online storage, and networked storage devices. This will definitely prevent me from having a heart attack in case something goes wrong with my computer. I could not imagine losing all my work and media files.
The component research project will provide information on computer cases, power supplies, motherboards, graphic cards, monitors, windows hardware, digital cameras, network adapters, mouse and keyboard options, cd/dvd burners, sound cards, printers,processors, removable memory, storage devices, uninterruptible power supplies, and apple and microsoft operation systems. This information will help me troubleshoot any problems and replace any component if I have an issue.
All of the information that we will learn in the course will improve my usage of technology and prevent me from a freak out if it fails.
Last time I blogged about how the content in this course will give me the knowledge to become a better consumer and user of computers. This time I will focus on how I use technology now and how this course will affect my future usage.
I use technology everyday. I use it for all my work needs and I use it at home for social networking, media download and storage, and research. I have become technology reliant and I would freak if I were to lose my computer as a tool and resource. The most beneficial part of this course is that it has forced me to look at ways to prevent losing my valuable information due to a technology disaster. We will be researching a variety Linux OS and live cds,viruses and virus protection, a backup plan for a technology diaster, and various computer components.
I heard about Linux before this course started but I had not used it. This class required us to try out two different Linux operating systems. I was impressed with their ease of use and responsiveness. The best part about this project was that I learned how to make a live cd so that I can boot the OS directly from the cd without installing it. This is incredibly useful if the operating system on a computer fails because it will still allow you to access your harddrive and retrieve your files (this can also be done with an external hard drive case). I also liked that you can boot the OS directly from a usb drive. This lets you take your personal operating system with you wherever you go and on whatever computer you use.
Viruses have always been a threat to a computer and I have always tried to take the proper actions to prevent them from affecting my computer's performance. I am sure that when we discuss and research more about viruses, I will learn more information about them and how to prevent them.
The backup plan for a disaster will be a great assignment that forces me to rethink my plan in the event of a computer disaster. I will research uninterruptible power supplies, online storage, and networked storage devices. This will definitely prevent me from having a heart attack in case something goes wrong with my computer. I could not imagine losing all my work and media files.
The component research project will provide information on computer cases, power supplies, motherboards, graphic cards, monitors, windows hardware, digital cameras, network adapters, mouse and keyboard options, cd/dvd burners, sound cards, printers,processors, removable memory, storage devices, uninterruptible power supplies, and apple and microsoft operation systems. This information will help me troubleshoot any problems and replace any component if I have an issue.
All of the information that we will learn in the course will improve my usage of technology and prevent me from a freak out if it fails.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
What I am Learning in CEDO 510 and How it Applies to My World
The class that I am currently taking at Cardinal Stritch is called Computer Systems: How they work. In this class we will discuss the history of the computer, the different components of computers, the role of an operating system, the various operating systems available, viruses, and what makes up an ideal computer.
The topics that we will discuss in this class apply to my life in various ways. Computers have become part of my daily life. I use them to socialize, research, collaborate, share, and organize. After learning more about computers and how they work, I will be able to make informed decisions about computers. I will be able to evaluate the various types of computers, components, and software that is available. I will be able to determine what computers offer the best option for my personal use.
This course will also help me protect my information and my computer. I will be able to learn how to prevent viruses and keep my computer secure. This will help ensure that I do not lose important personal information or affect the functionality of my computer.
This class should also help me increase the longevity of my computer. I will be able to keep my operating system running smoothly and I will be able to troubleshoot issues with the components inside my computer.
All of these topics will help protect my investment and make sure that I can maximize the use of my personal computer.
The topics that we will discuss in this class apply to my life in various ways. Computers have become part of my daily life. I use them to socialize, research, collaborate, share, and organize. After learning more about computers and how they work, I will be able to make informed decisions about computers. I will be able to evaluate the various types of computers, components, and software that is available. I will be able to determine what computers offer the best option for my personal use.
This course will also help me protect my information and my computer. I will be able to learn how to prevent viruses and keep my computer secure. This will help ensure that I do not lose important personal information or affect the functionality of my computer.
This class should also help me increase the longevity of my computer. I will be able to keep my operating system running smoothly and I will be able to troubleshoot issues with the components inside my computer.
All of these topics will help protect my investment and make sure that I can maximize the use of my personal computer.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Computer history for Carl Bauhs
I can remember using computers all the way back to my elementary school days. I was fortunate enough to have access to an Apple IIGs in our home. The elementary school that I attended also had Apple computers and we would play games like "Oregon Trail" and "Number Munchers". The computer lab was primarily used for these type of interactive learning games. This definitely caught my attention and it did actually help motivate me to do better in my math classes (I didn't want to be the kid with the lowest score in number munchers). I also have fond memories of my cousin's IBM machine. We would spend hours playing "Kings Quest" which was a logic story type of a game.
As I got older the technology definitely changed. I remember when we got a new computer and a subscription to AOL. Our phone line was always busy as I was chatting with friends on the computer and sending emails. This allowed the computer to be used as a social tool and a research aide. Once we got rid of dial-up I remember becoming obsessed with Napster. This even got me to install my first CD-Burner.
When I look back and remember the "good old days" I have to laugh. I can now do more with my phone than I could have ever dreamed possible. The technology has changed so fast and has become so accessible that the possibilities seem endless. It has definitely simplified life and can be incorporated in everything that we do on a daily basis. Possibilities such as Pranav Mitry's "6th sense" (see earlier post) integrates technology seamlessly and makes information available to us at any moment. I can't imagine what the next generation will be experiencing.
As I got older the technology definitely changed. I remember when we got a new computer and a subscription to AOL. Our phone line was always busy as I was chatting with friends on the computer and sending emails. This allowed the computer to be used as a social tool and a research aide. Once we got rid of dial-up I remember becoming obsessed with Napster. This even got me to install my first CD-Burner.
When I look back and remember the "good old days" I have to laugh. I can now do more with my phone than I could have ever dreamed possible. The technology has changed so fast and has become so accessible that the possibilities seem endless. It has definitely simplified life and can be incorporated in everything that we do on a daily basis. Possibilities such as Pranav Mitry's "6th sense" (see earlier post) integrates technology seamlessly and makes information available to us at any moment. I can't imagine what the next generation will be experiencing.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Pattie Maes and Pranav Mistry demo SixthSense | Video on TED.com
This is a must see. Using the internet as a 6th sense. Interacting with your world via a webcam, projector, and phone to obtain information and achieve a variety of tasks accomplished by only using gestures from your own two hands. UNREAL!
Pattie Maes and Pranav Mistry demo SixthSense | Video on TED.com
Pattie Maes and Pranav Mistry demo SixthSense | Video on TED.com
Monday, October 4, 2010
Quality assurance team
I just met with the members of my quality assurance team to discuss how we use technology in our school district. The members of the team are going to return to their departments to collect artifacts that demonstrate the use of technology within our school. We hope to gain insight on what we are currently providing and how we can expand the use of technology in the classroom.
Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.2
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Diigo
I have been checking out diigo. I really like the idea of highlighting/annotating websites. I can totally see this being something that teachers and students could use to extract the important info from a webpage. I like the idea of collaboration and using it as a smarter search engine. I look forward to using this from now on.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)