What is a Web Browser?

A web browser is a program on your computer that allows you to visit websites.  While some browsers come installed initially like Internet Explorer or Safari, others are downloaded like Firefox or Opera.  I personally use Mozilla Firefox, but here is a list of the five most popular browsers used around the world.

1 - Mozilla Firefox

2 - Internet Explorer

3 - Google Chrome

4 - Apple Safari

5 - Opera

Whichever browser you use, it is probably the most important program on your computer.

In the year 2000...and 62.

            More than fifty years ago, the use of the telephone was a novel idea that needed explaining (http://www.boingboing.net/2011/06/06/1950s-att-film-how-t.html).  Today, you would be hard pressed to find someone who needs help operating a telephone.  So what technology do we currently use that will seem odd and outdated to us today?  If I had to guess (and I do), then I would say it will be the voice recognition programs like Siri on the iPhone.  If you look at some of the current trends, voice recognition software is being placed in all types of products.  From telephones, televisions, cars, appliances, and even children’s toys, voice recognition software seems to be everywhere.  It is amazing to think that this is a relatively new development that will soon be commonplace, but that appears to be its current path.  I already have a 3-year-old cousin who is just as good, if not better, with an iPhone than I am.  My uncle told me how his son ordered himself hundreds of dollars in toys from the phone since Amazon had remembered his credit card information.  A few clicks away and Parker (my cousin) had himself and early Christmas.  That kid is growing up with the newest technology and will think of it as part of his life rather than a luxury way before he is old enough to recognize the difference.  So for me, this will be one of the technological advances that people in fifty years will look back on like it is odd and outdated. 

Social Media in School...Yes or No?

I was recently asked whether schools should allow access to sites like Facebook or Twitter to their students and faculty.  Here are two different responses to this question.

Pro:

This is the wrong protocol because Facebook and Twitter are excellent mediums to share school news, whether this includes individual classes, morning announcements, or the schedules for clubs, sports, or other activities, etc.  It is also a good way to promote the school positively.  Facebook and Twitter also provide an easy place to post pictures of students winning awards, helping the community, or just promoting the school’s culture.  It is also a way for parents of students to become involved or have an insight on to what is going on in their child’s life.  Twitter is also a new way to get instant access to what is going on in the world.  Twitter feeds from schools could be used to keep parents up to date with outside activities as well as emergencies like tornado or fire drills.  These are just a few of the ways that Facebook and Twitter can be beneficial to schools and should not be banned.

Con:

This is the correct protocol because Facebook is more of a personal website designed for adults.  Facebook also creates a sense of privacy when in actuality it is the opposite.  Facebook is putting personal information on the internet, in particular a place where many students post embarrassing, humiliating, and hurtful content in text, photos and videos of themselves, classmates, teachers, parents, etc.  Not to mention there are all sorts of bandwidth issues and other security issues with scams or viruses.  Twitter is an easy way for students to spread harmful information about other students or to take a quick picture of a teacher’s test to send out to the school.  Plus giving students access to both of these sites could possibly be an easy way for students to get distracted and not involved in the learning process.  Overall Facebook and Twitter should be denied by both students and teachers, because they present more of a risk than the rewards they offer.

What is your take on this question?

Teacher in Training

This blog is the start of my descent into the wild world of teaching in the technological world.  Wish me luck.