3 Technology in College: "YouTube" and digital video

I had never really visited the website "YouTube" until getting into college. I have to say it is not only interesting but entertaining. In the beginning of the fall semester, my friends and I loved recording videos and watching them online. I also used it as a way to "Introduce" my friends at college to my friends back home. It was as instantaneous as using a web cam, but it still got the point across. I've also used "YouTube" in a few of my classes while doing presentations. I am a visual learner so being able to sow a film clip that goes along with what i am presenting always seems to help. It can make a topic seem clearer, show an example, or even provide some comic relief. For example, last semester I used some videos I had found about airbags for a project. The first demonstrated how airbags deploy in an accident. The second showed what happens in a car without airbags. The third was simply a humorous clip of an old woman hitting a mans car with her purse, causing his airbags to deploy. All the videos went over well and were an interesting way to get the point across. Using digital videos, or videos that are online are much more efficient then using a video camera. In high school I often did video projects, and many times, the cables weren't correct, or the TV did not have the proper jacks. It was always frustrating. However technology is ever evolving and making tasks even simpler. As I read in chapter one though, things are sure to change again rapidly and digital video may one day become obsolete.

2 Technology In College: Online Classes

Last semester I was enrolled in a hybrid class, half online half in class, but it was very confusing so I dropped it after two classes. This semester I found myself in a similar situation, except this time I plan on sticking with the class. My Learning through Technology class is sometimes taught online, and last week we used a program called "Elluminate" where we could chat with each other, view a power point, and follow our professor to other websites as well. It was pretty cool and definitely a great way to learn. Two of my friends watched and sat around as I listened to the lecture and watched the PowerPoint. Neither had ever seen any class taught like it before. This shos that technology is not always being used to its full potential. They both agreed that it was a creative and effective way to learn. After all a class about technology should include lots of hands on experience. That is what is good about this class so far. In addition to meeting online, we post a weekly blog. This also exposes us to more uses of the Internet. It is one thing to sit in class and take notes for hours. real learning occurs only when you apply what you are learning.

1 Technology in college: the internet

Technology is very helpful now that I'm in college, specifically the Internet. My family and friends from home love to send me e-mails or chat with me on instant messenger. My aunt in particular is always sending me e-cards and online jokes. I also use "Facebook" to keep in touch with my old classmates. My graduating class also has a database where our e-mail addresses are located so it's easy to get in touch with each other for reunions and just to hang out. "Facebook" is great for communicating ideas on campus as well. The first time i talked to my roommate was on "Facebook". It was a lot less awkward then a phone conversation. I got to see what she was interested in, what she looked like and other things like that. In a class i had last semester we also wrote a weekly blog as a way to get to know each other. It was a lot of fun, and a good learning experience because I had never done anything like it before. I can't imagine being at Marist without all the technology that surrounds us every day especially the Internet. For example, when working on research projects last semester, I did a lot of research online. I hope that libraries won't become obsolete, but online periodicals, encyclopedias, and criticisms are all easily found online. The Internet provides almost instant satisfaction when it comes to keeping in touch with everyone back home. It also helps keep my cell phone bill low, which is something my dad loves. Everyone benefits from the Internet in my family.

My first Blog

Hey everyone, my name is Julia And this is my first blog. I've never had one befor, so i hope you enjoy reading it!