Last post… or is it?

So, I already got my mark for blogging, what am I doing here? I just realized that I haven’t commented on the last class, and yet, I still have so much to say! (And also, CS8932 has been quiet for a while… is this IT for our class?… ) I really hope that this site will continue to grow, even after all assignments have been done. – Or at least I hope I can see what the future students are writing about the course.

The final class was so long ago… I remember Ryan’s presentation on race/ethnicity/gender in video games and how they are widely misrepresented. I commented that I played Japanese games (Nintendo, afterall, was a Japanese creation), and that characters in those games are usually “white” and not Japanese (I gave a reason, and although I know it’s true, there is no hard facts for me to back myself up, so don’t quote me on that). Females such as Princess Peach (in Mario) or Princess Zelda (in Zelda), are victims waiting to be saved (agreeing with Ryan’s presentation).

Today, I asked my husband to print out the T2202 form at his work, so I sent him an e-mail with my Ryerson user name and password on it so that he could access my RAMSS. He said he didn’t get my e-mail and it may have been filtered out (it was a work address), and it immediately made me think of Tabitha’s presentation – (and also that I haven’t posted)… who would get that information? Where has the e-mail gone to? Would someone really want to access my information? Should I change the password? If I didn’t change my password, what would the person who had my information want to do with it? All these questions in my head popped up, as I visualized soemone accessing my account, knowing my student number, address, telephone number, etc. But I also questioned who would want to do that? Afterall, I’m just a nobody…

Question: has anyone touched Second Life since we were introduced to it in class? I haven’t, but I will make it a point to some day. I just need to know if anyone knew, if Linden dollars are virtual dollars or real dollars, and if I wanted to build a house for myself, do I have to buy land and hire builders? (Does it really work like the real world?) And how can I find people to ask these questions instead of asking and chatting to random strangers that may think I’m an idiot? (There must be a better tutorial somewhere than those signs that are scattered everywhere…)

I’ve been blabbing again, but it is only because I’m excited about what I learned (and not to make my name bigger). I have learned so much from this class, and it was fun because I would always be able to discuss what I have learned from the readings and discussions with my husband.

Children as photographers

Stephanie’s slides

Last Blog

So I’ve been humming and hawing over this last post. I have read what others have written and they have pretty much summed up the class and what I got from it and how I feel about it.  So I will do my best to sound unique in my final words.   Technology…do I feel different about it after this class?  I would like to believe that I”m going to go exploring more in the realm of computers. I feel that I can maybe take a step outside of my comfort zone and explore the different avenues of the internet, and other ‘new’ technologies.  At the same time I still feel that I am no further than I was before, maybe because I actually need time to just sit and play around with things.  What I think really resonated with me in this course is that children can teach us and we should let go of some of our control.  I think it might have taken this course to actually let me realize this understanding.  It happens because I actually know i dont’ know much about technology and the kids do. I don’t know if I woudl have been as willing to let go of my knowledge of things I do feel I know and let a child teach me more.  Its this need to teach what you know, but if you dont’ know then you are more willing to learn.  I need to let this go, and realize I actually don’t know a lot about things and everything can be looked at in different ways, espcially in the eyes of the child. 
There is a huge huge world of technology out there that I have yet to discover. I think i’m a bit more willing to do so now, but not quite yet willing to let go of a hand or two while I do this.  I still hold onto my belief that children should be outside, playing and enjoying the realities of the world ‘out there’ but there is a part of me that understands that ‘this’ is reality too. That kids will be learning and growing with computers but that doesn’t mean they will stop running and playing around.

The Final Blog-sounds ominous, but it’s not!

Wow is class really done….didn’t we just start?! This class exposed me to avenues of technology I wouldn’t have explored on my own, such as blogging and Second Life. Both these experiences were positive and may continue after classes have finished. In-class and online discussions were lively and interesting. What I appreciated most about this class was it gave me the opportunity to research topics I previously wouldn’t have thought of. My research topic throughout this program has been deaf children. In the past I have researched the education, culture, and linguistic modalities of this population, but had never thought to explore the topic of deaf children and technology. Previously my thoughts about deaf children and technology were limited to assistive technology such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, and FM systems. The research paper allowed me to investigate other technologies, specifically software designed to improve educational outcomes for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Though I was able to fine articles that described various programs, most of the products described were in the pilot stage. What became of the projects after the pilot? It became frustrating trying to find follow-up information, with no results. Finally I found a company that has developed a range of software that features avatars who communicate using sign language. The production of this software is related to a pilot study I included in my annotated bibliography. It was interesting to make connections between the pilot and the finished project. When reading the pilot study I was sceptical that avatars could be developed to incorporate the fluid movements and facial expression necessitated by sign language. I was impressed that the finished product could do just that-create realistic, engaging and linguistically correct sign language. If I hadn’t taken this class I would not have thought to investigate this technology. This software represents a potentially beneficial tool I can use in my work with deaf children.
That’s all from chocolatecupcakes, wishing you a fun dessert-filled summer!

Second to Last Blog

Just finished perusing the specifications for the autoethnographic assignment that is this blog….man am I ever in trouble. Prior to reading the directions my blogging goal had been singular: make my name bigger than Joyce’s. Now that dream will never be realized. (Thanks Cathy!) In retrospect it might have been beneficial try and incorporate some of the criteria before writing the second last entry, but hey, you live and you learn. Luckily I noted Alex expects the blog to be “a process of deep and unstable inquiry” (Bal, 2009, p.3). Well I doubt I’ll get to deep, but I’m sure I’ve proven unstable on numerous occasions. In looking at the “questions to consider” section, I was most intrigued by the question of whether I am an early or late adopter to new technologies. That got me to thinking: is there anything later than a late adopter? If there is, that person is me. I didn’t have a home computer until a couple of weeks ago when my partner gave me his “old”(2008) laptop, don’t have cable, and I’m convinced that I’m the only person in the free world that doesn’t own a cell phone. Though it looks like the opposite, I’m not a technophobe. I’m computer literate and appreciate the convenience of the internet for business and personal pursuits but my home is just that….home. After spending all day at work or school in front of a monitor, the last thing I want to do with my spare time is sit in front of a computer or television. As for cell phones….I’m not sure I want to be a part of cell phone culture. I often see people out together, talking to or texting other people on the phone. Here’s an idea: try talking to the person you’re with now! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat on long bus rides only to be subjected to someone’s loud personal cell phone conversation that reveals way too much information….. “then Jim from upstairs came by with a bottle of vodka and a litre of olive oil…..I’d just stepped out of the shower, to answer the door……” you get the picture. Why do people with cell phones think no one else can hear their conversation? I’m sure landlines will soon be obsolete, and I too will join the talking, texting masses.

DATEC

DATEC
Developmentally appropriate technology in early childhood,

http://www.datec.org.uk/datecfrm1.htm

CHAT

http://www.lifesci.sussex.ac.uk/research/chatlab/publications.html#

Just a little late for the final paper but interesting if you are looking to implementing tech in the classroom.

Wednesday, June 17

Today was the last day of class, and I can’t believe how quickly this semester has gone by!  It feels like we only just started, and in just over a week some of us will be beginning new classes!  Tonight’s presentations were very thought-provoking.  Ryan’s presentation made me think about video games in a way that I had never before, Dragana’s served as a reminder of the value of learning through experience, and Tabitha’s made me overwhelmingly aware of how susceptible any one of us in class could be to social hacking.  This is obviously just scratching the surface of the three presentations, as there was much more learning involved in each.

For my final post I wanted to reflect a bit on my experiences in this class.  I had been looking forward to this class for a long time, and it truly was all I expected it to be and more.  Not only did I learn a lot about the role of technology in the lives of children as I had hoped to, but I feel like my personal relationship with technology evolved throughout this course.  This was an outcome I really didn’t expect coming into the course, but I am certainly glad to have learned about things like wikis, open source software, the OLPC, the digital divide, and Second Life, just to name a few.  I feel much more “technologically literate” as a result of taking this course.  Having first-hand experience with some of these technologies was an asset as well.  I learned about things that even some of the most technologically literate people I know were not familiar with.  For me, who has always perceived myself to have a fairly basic understanding of technology, this course was long overdue!

Blog #1 My experience with technology

Growing up, I was one of those naïve individuals who believed technology to be for other people. I always thought I could do without it. When people started to buy CDs I insisted on sticking with my audio cassettes. When they switched to DVDs I was still using videos. I was one of the last in my group of peers to get a cell phone, a CD player and a computer. As a matter of fact my friend Nikki was just teasing me the other day because according to her standards I finally got a decent phone.
Working on the floor as an ECE I used the office computer to create labels, print children’s stories, play music and for research purposes. When I worked with kindergarten aged children, my room partner who was a computer buff really wanted a computer for the children. We used old computers donated by the families at first. Since all of the computers donated were old, they quickly broke down and were taken apart and investigated by the children. We ended up fundraising for the money to purchase a new computer and printer. Children were given weekly time slots and free time when anyone could play on the computer. They took turns playing cognitive games, games for manual dexterity and eye hand coordination. As well, math and science games, songs, videos, and typing activities were enjoyed by the children using the computer.
They say that necessity is the creator of inventions or something like that. I was forced to become acquainted with technology because of work and school. I was never taught how to use a computer, yet I manage to complete my assignments and my job using computer technology. As the supervisor of a child care centre the use of technology is an integral aspects of my job. Although, I am not an experienced computer use, it is difficult to imagine my daily life without the use of a computer. After all, how else can I stay in touch with Blackboard and Ryerson email?
Word Press?

Blog June 15th ~ Fun, play and games

There is a direct relationship between fun and learning; fun helps to motivate. Play is fun and it has a wide variety of meanings. Play is something one chooses to do. It is intensely and utterly absorbing. It promotes the formation of social group. Some people such as scientists and artists enjoy the creative aspects of their work so much that their work may seem like play or something fun to do. When I worked on the floor I had the luxury of having fun everyday. Unfortunately, I cannot say that my supervisory job offers the same type of fun.

Games are about ways of thinking, and epistemologist games are so good that even great adults are driven to play too. McMaster University uses simulation in their medical program so medical students can learn how to deal with real life situations without using real patients. Games are becoming a huge part of the lives of many individuals except me of course. I just haven’t caught on to computers games. I use to play Ms Pac Man when I was younger. I’ve also played Mah-jong, Free Cell, Backgammon and Solitaire on the computer, but that’s as far as it goes. The only games that I have played in the last couple of months are Sudoku and Free Cell. I usually play to organize my thought, to challenge myself or just for fun. I could totally relate to getting into a flow; where the game becomes so easy.

I am sitting here typing up my blog from last night’s class and I can’t help but overhear the news. They are discussing the riots that are taking place in Iran because of the election. The government has placed restrictions blocking media coverage, digital and text messaging. Foreign countries are setting up Open Source Networking to provide an avenue for Iranians to get messages out to the media, family and friends. Ironically, I would not have understood what they were talking about six months ago.

Blog June 17, 2009 ~ The digital divide, ethnicity and the cultural issues

I was really surprised to learn that there were so much racial and heteronormative stereotyping in gaming. Ryan’s presentation was very insightful tonight. Ryan questioned whether virtual reality sites are appropriate environments to try on other identities or if these sites promote negative stereotypes. I believe these sites promote racial and sexist stereotypes whether intended or not. I think most people who go to these sites do not go there because of the biases. However, discrimination can also be fostered at these sites, especially for impressionable youths. Someone mentioned the fact that individuals did not need to face discrimination if they did not want to because a person could “pass” in the virtual world. It is hard enough to face discrimination in the real world. I don’t think individuals should have to hide their true identity in a virtual world in order not to be discriminated against. Besides, it is possible that after time is spent in the virtual world the person’s true identity would come out. It would be fun to pretend to be someone from another race or sex. But, it can be difficult to take on certain roles without taking on some of the stereotypes both negative and positive that go along with the role.

I also have to comment on Tabitha’s presentation. It is astounding how easy it is to hack into someone’s account. I have heard about lots of phishing scams and hacking in the media, but it was something else to sit in class and watch Tabitha go through how easy it is to break into someone’s account. Under no circumstance do I view this type of behaviour as playing or as a little prank. These little pranks have been known to cause huge problems for innocent victims. How can we limit youth who desire to explore, from using their talents and abilities? Culture Jam is one method to channel the talents and zest that some youth may have for technology. One of my co-workers’ teen son receives extra credit to boost his grades in weaker subjects by using his computer skills to assist the school. Youths can use their technological skills in productive ways such as these rather than hacking. I believe the fun in often in the challenge and gratification that hackers receive for hacking not simply the need for an outlet. It is more of an ego boost.