Week Thirteen Reflection Question

Question #2: What advantages can broad bandwidth and wireless networking offer schools? Describe the current technologies available for wireless connectivity.

Wireless networking enables two or more computers to communicate using standard network protocols. Wireless networks utilize radio waves instead of network cables to maintain communication channels. The analogy the textbook uses is the connection between cell phones and the telephone company (although it does point out that the technologies are different).Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can fit through the connection at one time. Bandwidth is expressed in bits per second (bps). Broad bandwidth allows a large amount of data to travel through the connection. Currently, broad bandwidth id categorized as 512kbps upload and 256 kbps download. However, this will continue to change as technology increases. The best way to understand bandwidth is to use the analogy of a highway. Narrow bandwidth is your standard two lane road. Mid bandwidth is your four lane highway, but broad bandwidth is a 20 lane superhighway.

The first advantage to wireless networks is the mobility provided. Previously, data had to travel over network cabling. This required schools to spend large amounts of money retrofitting their buildings, and allowed network access only at specified points. But wireless technology allows connections anywhere. It would be impossible to run cabling to a moving car or an in flight airplane. But this limitation no longer exists in the wireless world. In the school setting, this means the teacher is not restricted by the location of the cable nodes. This allows for greater flexibility and capability to arrange the instructional environment. In conjunction with the wireless networks, broad bandwidth significantly increases our ability to communicate. The ability to broadcast to homebound students, or to connect live to other classrooms are relatively new advances directly related to improvements in wireless and broadband technologies. Audio-conferencing and especially video-conferencing were unheard of twenty years ago. Now, we have the capability to connect to anyone at anytime. Imagine teaching a science class on igneous and sedimentary rocks, and being able to connect to the foremost expert in the world on the subject. The ability to ask direct questions and receive direct feedback increases the educational experience exponentially. Wireless and broadband technologies give teachers access to instructional videos and live broadcasts instantaneously. Large files no longer take three hours to download. Videos are no longer so grainy (low resolution) that you almost have to guess at what is happening. While these are some of the advantages to wireless and broadband technologies, the biggest advantage is the potential for limitless connections. As technology continues to improve, so will the gains in education.

Presently, there are two technologies available for wireless connectivity. The first is WiFi (wireless fidelity). WiFi is based on the 802.11 standard, the standard set for wireless local area network (LAN) technology. Using radio frequencies set aside for consumer use, WiFi can offer connectivity across a school campus in hardware barely larger than a textbook. The other technology is Bluetooth, which allows diverse types of electronic devices to communicate with one another. Using Bluetooth compliant devices, a personal area network (PAN) is automatically established, operating in the short range, usually up to 30 feet. Within the PAN, devices can share data or interconnect, so that one device controls another. In the classroom, all the computers can print to a single printer, the students can gather or record data on their PDAs, take digital picture, and then transfer the data to computers, without the need of cables.

Week Twelve Reflection

I have prayed tonight that NEVER again will I have to go through the pain and torture I have endured on this assignment. And I am not talking about the listserv. The making of the movie made such a lasting impression on me that if a parent, or administrator request that I make another movie, I will immediately quit and transfer to my other career. I have been practicing “Would you like some fries with that” just in case. In all seriousness, I spent hour upon hour upon hour trying to sync the narration with the video. If there is an easy way, I did not find it. I did try to do a little of everything when it came to effects and transitions, but after the fifth slide I knew what I was doing and stopped. I found the effects and transitions distracting if overly used. To me this would have been an easy and fun assignment if it was not for the narration.

The listserv was easy, I think. I am waiting to make sure I did it correctly. I am not sure that threatening bodily harm to the two members I selected to join my listserv is legal or not. But I will deny any knowledge is questioned. I do like the knowledge gained by the listserv, and I will definitely be using this in the future.

The name of my listserv is Meadows Manglers
You can also view Ken's movie in higher resolution by clicking here My Movie

Week Eleven Reflection Question

Question #1: What is visual literacy? Where and when is it learned? Why is it important? Contrast internet broadcasts, live cams, and net meeting. How can each of these internet-based video technologies be used in teaching and learning?

Webster’s dictionary defines visual literacy as “the ability to recognize and understand ideas conveyed through visible actions or images.” Wikipedia says that “visual literacy is the ability to interpret, negotiate, and make meaning from information presented in the form of an image. Visual literacy is based on the idea that pictures can be “read” and that meaning can be communicated through a process of reading.” In other words, you see this picture, and you know that it is a boat. Do you recall when you learned it was a boat? Do you recall how you learned it was a boat? In most cases, we don’t remember. When and where is it learned? Visual literacy is learned in school, but it is also learned in everyday life. It can be formalized, but more often it is informal. You see a rabbit on television, you learn what a rabbit looks like. No classroom involved. This type of learning begins before any other type of instruction. It does not take a baby long to associate a bottle with feeding time. I guess you could say that that visual literacy occurs through just being alive. The importance of visual literacy cannot be underestimated. As I was reading about this, I wondered how safe the roads would be if we never learned what the traffic signs meant. We just take so much for granted in regards to visual learning. It makes me appreciate the difficulties a blind person experiences.

Internet broadcasts are live events and performances offered on web sites. They use streaming video technology. This technology compresses the digital video, and plays it back at the same time it is being received. This technology does require that a video player be installed on the computer.

Live cams are cameras that somebody has connected to their computer. This computer is then connected to the internet, allowing a digitized video image to be sent out over the internet. A person can view this video image by accessing a website that is sharing the camera’s images. In other words, you can see whatever the camera is pointed at.

Internet meetings are conversations with other people utilizing the internet. You are able to see and hear the person or persons and communicate live.

The educational possibilities of these video technologies are mind-boggling. Imagine taking your class on a field trip to Niagara Falls, or to the Atlanta Zoo, without leaving Hattiesburg Mississippi. Imagine discussing the solution to a mathematics problem with a student from China. Better yet, wouldn’t it be nice to watch a live performance by Taylor Swift or Beyonce while sitting in music class? While these technologies are still in their infancies, they are limited only by the imagination. As time goes on, more and more will be available, and the educational benefits will continue to increase.

Week Ten Relection

Creating a website was the most confusing activity I have undertaken in this class. I never could quite understand the instructions, and of course, I was trying to personalize the site as much as possible. I had this plan of what I wanted to do, but no clue how to get there. This resulted in one brick wall after another. But it also gave me an opportunity to play around with the exercise and get a much better understanding of how the system works. All you get to see is the finished product, fortunately for me, you don't get to see the six drafts I was able to delete. I spent many more hours than were necessary working on this exercise because I believe that a website will be the best communications tool I have with the parents, and that is a necessity.

The name of my website is Mr. Meadows' Class