Thursday, May 29, 2008
YouTube :)
YouTube, I believe, is one of the best and most widely accepted and enjoyed cite in the Web 2.0 world of technology. It encompasses videos from education, to break dancing, instructional, to absurd, funny, influential, creative, encouraging even inspiring. I have to admit, most of my favorites have nothing what-so-ever to do with the educational or instructional categories, not yet anyways. Some of my favorites (and half of California's too I'm sure) include; Charlie the Unicorn, laughing babies, Blood, Charlie bit Me, the Evolution of Dance, Cyril the Magician and Dormitory Boys. It is such a neat and interesting way to connect with someone you do not know in the least, simply by enjoying the same video, or sharing a personal experience with the world simply by posting your own video. I do see YouTube as having great potential and probably success in the realm of education, athletic training, and coaching. You never know what you are going to get when you type a search topic into YouTube. ("Fresno Pacific University" for example :)
Technorati!
WOW! I was not expecting to find this cite so very interesting! By simply typing in "kinesiology" it came up with 3,514 posts, 55 blogs, and approximately 160 photos. Not all of the feeds in each of these areas was strictly pertaining to kinesiology. (one was about Orlando Bloom's biography... don't know how that one got in there) But some of the pictures were amazing! This is a very useful search tool. Whether it be to fulfill this classes assignment, or to access at a later date to find links for specific topics, or pictures for a particular presentation. I see this as a very note worthy technological support cite.
Del.icio.us!
I must say "Del.icio.us" turned out to be much more interesting than I had anticipated. I looked over Scott's bookmarks, and after that small taste, decided I would get on board. I hadn't imagined what a benefit it could and hopefully will be to browse through the "favorites" essentially, of my fellow professionals. I see this new account being very helpful when looking for websites, journals, and credible sources within my area of expertise. (eventually) We are always needing to keep up on the latest and greatest, so with a large group all bookmarking similar news, we will no doubt be able to share the greatest.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Web 2.0 Awards!
I was intrigued by this award cite. I had no idea that so many of the websites I've visited and/or are a part of Web 2.0, I wasn't even fully aware what Web 2.0 was. (I truthfully don't have a clear cut definition in my mind still....but the general idea is there :) From the Award List I visited Upcoming, Eventful, and OneSentence for the time being; I plan on visiting many more now that I know they exist.
I found OneSentence very interesting. It is a cite where viewers may add their own personal experiences (in one sentence of course) and they may be about anything. These experiences may be completely anonymous, first name, or full name, even one letter if they wish. It presents to me as a type of technological journal only psychology based. A way for people to say things that have been on their mind, just to "put it out there" so to speak, but not be responsible or traceable if undesired. Interesting.
I found OneSentence very interesting. It is a cite where viewers may add their own personal experiences (in one sentence of course) and they may be about anything. These experiences may be completely anonymous, first name, or full name, even one letter if they wish. It presents to me as a type of technological journal only psychology based. A way for people to say things that have been on their mind, just to "put it out there" so to speak, but not be responsible or traceable if undesired. Interesting.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
RSS Feeds
After finishing my RSS assignment I.....quite honestly, still don't know what the two S's stand for. Never the less, it was a fun and interesting assignment. I found some very neat news feeds, word of the day feeds, quote of the day feeds, even weather feeds. I like that when you click on them for updates you don't have to read through a whole paper of mumbo-jumbo, you are taken directly to what you want and/or need to read. Quick and easy, I can see these types of feeds being useful, both now and in my future career. Being able to access the latest cites for athletic training, teaching, and sports technologies is going to be great!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Social Networking
Weaver, A.C., Morrison, B. B., Social Networking.Computer (February, 2008)
To be quite honest the first two paragraphs of this article took me by surprise. My whole thought process when it comes to "social networking" was rocked. When I hear networking anything I think along the lines of modern, technological, the internet. Not at all that it is simply "three or more entities communicating and sharing information." I mean that could have been my grandmother writing back and forth to two or three friends about quilting patterns or the latest in regards to their husbands farming equipment. Not at all what I had pictured in my mind. And the numbers of registered users for each website was staggering, it is almost unprecedented to know...or be someone who is not connected to a social network in some way-shape-or form! I must admit, I was one who held out as long as possible, resisting my friends' urges to join Facebook and MySpace. I finally gave in when my sister went to study in England for a year, making one of my only sure-fire ways of being in contact with her, Facebook. I have to admit I like being able to keep in semi contact with many friends old and new. I find it very true that if not for sites such as these, people from our lives would come and go quite steadily. By utilizing these networking sites we maintain some kind of communication or at least updates into the lives of our friends throughout the years. For that I am thankful.
To be quite honest the first two paragraphs of this article took me by surprise. My whole thought process when it comes to "social networking" was rocked. When I hear networking anything I think along the lines of modern, technological, the internet. Not at all that it is simply "three or more entities communicating and sharing information." I mean that could have been my grandmother writing back and forth to two or three friends about quilting patterns or the latest in regards to their husbands farming equipment. Not at all what I had pictured in my mind. And the numbers of registered users for each website was staggering, it is almost unprecedented to know...or be someone who is not connected to a social network in some way-shape-or form! I must admit, I was one who held out as long as possible, resisting my friends' urges to join Facebook and MySpace. I finally gave in when my sister went to study in England for a year, making one of my only sure-fire ways of being in contact with her, Facebook. I have to admit I like being able to keep in semi contact with many friends old and new. I find it very true that if not for sites such as these, people from our lives would come and go quite steadily. By utilizing these networking sites we maintain some kind of communication or at least updates into the lives of our friends throughout the years. For that I am thankful.
Editorial: Examining Social Software in Teacher Education
Ferdig, R. E. (2007). Editorial: Examining Social Software in Teacher Education. Journal.
MySpace, Facebook, Flickr, Weblogger, and Wikis, just a few examples of "Social Software" and social networking presented in and throughout this article. The example at the beginning of this article which finds a professor looking up a students facebook account, caught my attention. I have heard of this happening before and think it is both a wonderful idea and a bit intrusive. I believe that the way in which one presents ones self says a lot about them. If an individual sees fit to broadcast their social life on one of these "social networking" sites, they should stand by that representation and bear the brunt (if it need be born) for the way they choose to display themselves. Good, bad, or indifferent, each individual on those sites makes a decision about how they will portray themselves on "their" site. If a professor or parent or potential employer chooses to enter that world, they will only be privy to the kind of character displayed on those pages. Whether it is to the advantage or disadvantage of the site owner is another issue.
I agree with the second part of the article, in that "social software presents itself as a unique opportunity for study". At first I could not see how equipping a classroom with computers to engage them was not contradictory in and of itself. The article even mentions that it is hard to stay focused on a task at hand with a computer present. Later on it mentions the advantage of teacher (professor) student interaction via email, in these instances I believe social software has its advantages. I know for myself that because of email, I have had more "interaction" with my professors, verses trying to get a hold of them via telephone or office hours. I also see great success in the availability of taking courses online due to the advanced social networking in universities.
MySpace, Facebook, Flickr, Weblogger, and Wikis, just a few examples of "Social Software" and social networking presented in and throughout this article. The example at the beginning of this article which finds a professor looking up a students facebook account, caught my attention. I have heard of this happening before and think it is both a wonderful idea and a bit intrusive. I believe that the way in which one presents ones self says a lot about them. If an individual sees fit to broadcast their social life on one of these "social networking" sites, they should stand by that representation and bear the brunt (if it need be born) for the way they choose to display themselves. Good, bad, or indifferent, each individual on those sites makes a decision about how they will portray themselves on "their" site. If a professor or parent or potential employer chooses to enter that world, they will only be privy to the kind of character displayed on those pages. Whether it is to the advantage or disadvantage of the site owner is another issue.
I agree with the second part of the article, in that "social software presents itself as a unique opportunity for study". At first I could not see how equipping a classroom with computers to engage them was not contradictory in and of itself. The article even mentions that it is hard to stay focused on a task at hand with a computer present. Later on it mentions the advantage of teacher (professor) student interaction via email, in these instances I believe social software has its advantages. I know for myself that because of email, I have had more "interaction" with my professors, verses trying to get a hold of them via telephone or office hours. I also see great success in the availability of taking courses online due to the advanced social networking in universities.
Web, Library, and Teen Services 2.0
Bolan, K., Canada, M., & Cullin, R. (2007). Web, Library, and Teen Services 2.0. Young Adult Library Services
"...to dynamically interact with and listen to your users to create more user-centered services, both physical and technology-related. ...willingness to enhance library services through user collaboration." Quite simply put, the theme throughout the entirety of this article. I found this article interesting, enlightening, and a bit odd. It was very interesting to read about the latest and greatest technological advances in libraries now-a-days. The focus I gathered, is about comfort, community input, and computer programming. I did feel enlightened to all of the various outlets we can now find in our libraries such as computers which find books for us, whether it be in our library or one across the country, roving librarians who help us in our web searches, audio and videos, social networking, and photo sharing, digital meeting rooms, and smart boards. It really is a smorgasbord of technology. I also found the article "Web, Library..." odd, because I read nothing at all about books, and how to find them in this oh-so modern library system. Call me old school, but I enjoy roaming the aisles, checking out covers, and seeing what jumps out at me. I just hope we don't forget the books which capture the history of all our technological advances.
"...to dynamically interact with and listen to your users to create more user-centered services, both physical and technology-related. ...willingness to enhance library services through user collaboration." Quite simply put, the theme throughout the entirety of this article. I found this article interesting, enlightening, and a bit odd. It was very interesting to read about the latest and greatest technological advances in libraries now-a-days. The focus I gathered, is about comfort, community input, and computer programming. I did feel enlightened to all of the various outlets we can now find in our libraries such as computers which find books for us, whether it be in our library or one across the country, roving librarians who help us in our web searches, audio and videos, social networking, and photo sharing, digital meeting rooms, and smart boards. It really is a smorgasbord of technology. I also found the article "Web, Library..." odd, because I read nothing at all about books, and how to find them in this oh-so modern library system. Call me old school, but I enjoy roaming the aisles, checking out covers, and seeing what jumps out at me. I just hope we don't forget the books which capture the history of all our technological advances.
Monday, May 12, 2008
The Wonder of Technology...
First and foremost please be forewarned, I am not technologically savvy, point being very simple things relating to technology interest me greatly. That being said, I was fascinated this past weekend by a video camera my cousin owns. I have never seen one like it before and the simplicity of it caught my attention. This video camera is no bigger than a normal digital camera. It has very few buttons, consisting of start/stop, forward/backward and possibly volume. You are able to turn it on with a single button, point, and push start. There is a fairly small screen but large enough for it's purpose, on one side you push a lever and out pops a flash drive for easy transfer onto a computer, and on the opposite side there was one hole for a television plug in. And that was all. Almost every option a normal video camera might have (minus zoom I believe) but in a package small enough to fit in your pocket. No video camera cases and tapes to lug around, simply point and shoot like a camera. Amazing!
Normal Pfitzer's
THESE....are my siblings. Starting with the oldest one top right and working clockwise, allow me to introduce us. We have Jeremy, Danine (myself), Deidra, Dalicia, and Brent. We range from 27 to 17 years of age, which, growing up, provided non-stop fun, excitement and terror for my mother and father. I would love to say that, with age, we have all calmed down a bit and are on set and steady paths....but this would just not be so. We are, for the most part, just as rambunctious, wild, crazy and full of life as ever, and can't seem to get enough of each other when the opportunity presents itself. Faith love, laughter and wrestling matches rule our happy home :)
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Week 1: Allow me to introduce.....me :)
Well hello everyone. You will have to excuse some of what I write on this as well as my blog cite. When you get me on just under an adequate amount of sleep, some long days, and homework due I am bound to ramble and quite possibly make little to no sense. How fortunate for you to have caught me on one such day. My name is Danine Pfitzer. I graduated from California State University Fresno with my bachelor of science in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Athletic Training. My favorite “things” about college were my everyday interaction with the others who also attended. You never knew who you might meet walking to class, or around a corner. Their stories were what intrigued me most. Now I am able to enjoy much of the same thing as I attend and work at Fresno Pacific University, beginning my second year in a two year quest for my masters in Kinesiology. (as a graduate assistant in the Athletic Training room)
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Haha....I win!
It could not avail me for long. I have mastered the art of posting a blog. I know, I know, but it is the small victories in life I enjoy celebrating :)
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