My team and I completed the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer this past weekend.
With the help of friends and family, I raised a little over $2500, my team, Hoofin' for Hooters, raised just over $17,0000, and the Boston walk $5.8 MILLION that goes directly back into the New England community.
I came away from the walk with a few blisters, some sore muscles, some new friends, and the hope that if we continue to walk, it will be possible for us to beat this disease once and for all. The high points of the walk were the amazing people we met....the grandmother and 5-time cancer survivor who ate lunch with us while she waited for her family, the husband and wife that were diagnosed with breast cancer one year to the day from the other, and the Harley guys who helped us safely cross the streets who all had there own personal reasons for being a part of the weekend.
While we walk for a very serious reason, there's also a ton of laughs along the way. Here's just a sample of the t-shirts we saw:1. "Yes they're fake, my real ones tried to kill me."2. The smiley face tee on the 18-year old stating "I like boobies."and last, but certainly not least...3. "Save Second Base!"The blisters and muscle soreness I feel will heal within a few days. It's a small price to pay if one day we can make breast cancer a thing of the past.
I signed up for the 2011 walk. I walk because I can.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Blogging
As I sit at work missing the last class waiting for someone else to get their act together, I am reflecting on the Exploring the Internet class.
Working full time and having a family doesn't give a lot of time to pursue additional education, especially when that education isn't going to increase your salary or advance your career. I take classes toward a certificate in Information Technology for fun. That's right, fun. Since my employer will pay for it, why not. After this class, I can't help but think of the web site that is poorly managed for my daughter's gymnastics team or for the non-profit organization, RARA, that helps people with intellectual disabilities. If I learn about web sites, I can help these organizations. I am not looking to be a web designer, but I think I could help out with some web site maintenance. Why not??
Since starting this class, I have created several web sites through Shutterfly. After seeing the JQuery functionality, I understand more about how they can offer this type of functionality. My latest site was for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, which I participated in May 15th & 16th. My site includes pictures, videos, team roster, message boards and text boxes with descriptions of the year.
I also think about blogging, something I never thought I would do. I have a sister with down syndrome and we always say we are going to write a book about our "Joanne Stories". Maybe a blog is the way to get started.
Signing up for this class at the beginning of the year was a test to see how I would do taking a class on campus. Could I get out of work? Would I need to get babysitters? Could I keep up with the school work and a new job? I only missed two classes and I think I only fell behind in the blogs. But can I do that with a Programming in C class??
Only time will tell
Working full time and having a family doesn't give a lot of time to pursue additional education, especially when that education isn't going to increase your salary or advance your career. I take classes toward a certificate in Information Technology for fun. That's right, fun. Since my employer will pay for it, why not. After this class, I can't help but think of the web site that is poorly managed for my daughter's gymnastics team or for the non-profit organization, RARA, that helps people with intellectual disabilities. If I learn about web sites, I can help these organizations. I am not looking to be a web designer, but I think I could help out with some web site maintenance. Why not??
Since starting this class, I have created several web sites through Shutterfly. After seeing the JQuery functionality, I understand more about how they can offer this type of functionality. My latest site was for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, which I participated in May 15th & 16th. My site includes pictures, videos, team roster, message boards and text boxes with descriptions of the year.
I also think about blogging, something I never thought I would do. I have a sister with down syndrome and we always say we are going to write a book about our "Joanne Stories". Maybe a blog is the way to get started.
Signing up for this class at the beginning of the year was a test to see how I would do taking a class on campus. Could I get out of work? Would I need to get babysitters? Could I keep up with the school work and a new job? I only missed two classes and I think I only fell behind in the blogs. But can I do that with a Programming in C class??
Only time will tell
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
My Index Page
We work on our index page in class and I never remember the link to find it on annunziato.org.
Digital Divide (Wk 9)
I recently blogged about an article that talked about the Digital Divide. It talked about the Internet being as essential as food and water. The solution was to offer free or discounted access to the Internet to close the gap on this digital divide.
My solution was to give hungry people free food instead of free Internet. I sited that public libraries gave everyone the ability to utilize the Internet for free.
A few days later, news headlines talked about closing four branches of the Boston Public Library(BPL). Money used to provide free or cheap access to the Internet could be used to save our public libraries.
The BPL provides many services and materials for everyone.
Internet access is available utilizing your laptop or you can take advantage of the library's desktop computers.
Meeting rooms are available at the BPL that are nicer than the conference rooms at my office. These conference rooms are available for as many as 342 guests.
My solution was to give hungry people free food instead of free Internet. I sited that public libraries gave everyone the ability to utilize the Internet for free.
A few days later, news headlines talked about closing four branches of the Boston Public Library(BPL). Money used to provide free or cheap access to the Internet could be used to save our public libraries.
The BPL provides many services and materials for everyone.
Internet access is available utilizing your laptop or you can take advantage of the library's desktop computers.
Meeting rooms are available at the BPL that are nicer than the conference rooms at my office. These conference rooms are available for as many as 342 guests.
You can get discount tickets to museums through the library.
Tax forms are available at the library.
There are services for people who have English as a Second Language (ESL). Through the BPL
There are many events on the BPL home page. Visit the web site to see what is happening. You can find writing workshops different language confersation groups, job search networking groups, and story times for kids.
Support your local library.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
How Can Virtual Schools Be a Vibrant Part of Meeting the Choice Provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act (Wk 8)
Variations to "traditional" education have been occuring for years. Charter schools and home schooling are no longer as outside of the norm. I don't see why a virtual school environment would be any less effective than being in a classroom. Similar to other alternatives, I don't think that virtual schools are for every student. I certainly don't agree that it enhances communication as the article states.
I have taken several on-line classes here at UML, but as the difficulty of the classes increased, the more I needed to be in the classroom to get assistance. For Introduction to Programming with C part 1, I was able to complete the class on-line. When it came to the second have of the class, part 2, I failed. So in my case, a virtual school didn't meet the needs for two different classes with the same teacher.
I do think that a virtual classroom is a good opportunity for some students. If there is a child who is often sick, instead of missing school, they could have a virtual alternative for those times when they cannot travel to the classroom.
Another situation that may benefit from a virtual classroom is a teen parent or someone who needs to work to support a family. Many of these students need to leave school and have no alternative to a GED due to the time of day for the traditional High School classes. If they could have a virtual school environment that can be attended at alternative times, it may decrease the drop out rate.
www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/os/technology/plan/2004/site/documents/Hassel-Terrell-VirtualSchools.pdf
I think that students that are self motivated can receive just as good, if not better education in a virtual school than in a traditional environment.
I have taken several on-line classes here at UML, but as the difficulty of the classes increased, the more I needed to be in the classroom to get assistance. For Introduction to Programming with C part 1, I was able to complete the class on-line. When it came to the second have of the class, part 2, I failed. So in my case, a virtual school didn't meet the needs for two different classes with the same teacher.
I do think that a virtual classroom is a good opportunity for some students. If there is a child who is often sick, instead of missing school, they could have a virtual alternative for those times when they cannot travel to the classroom.
Another situation that may benefit from a virtual classroom is a teen parent or someone who needs to work to support a family. Many of these students need to leave school and have no alternative to a GED due to the time of day for the traditional High School classes. If they could have a virtual school environment that can be attended at alternative times, it may decrease the drop out rate.
www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/os/technology/plan/2004/site/documents/Hassel-Terrell-VirtualSchools.pdf
I think that students that are self motivated can receive just as good, if not better education in a virtual school than in a traditional environment.
Binary America: Split in Two By a Digital Divide (Wk 7)
I can't put the internet in the same category as a human needing water. That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever read!!
I have a problem worrying about people that can't afford the internet. When the television was first introduced, not everyone had one. If you wanted to see the news, you went to the movies. When cable first came to our town, not everyone could afford it or wanted it. Cable gave us MTV to see videos that went with your favorite song or CNN for the latest news. Throughout history, there are many examples of the latest technology not being available to those who cannot afford it.
The internet can be accessed for free at the local library. This past summer, I went on vacation in a rural part of Maine & had no internet access where I was staying. Needing to check e-mail, I was able to drive to the library and sit in my car to access the wireless connection on my work laptop. I also could have waited until the library opened and utilized their computers.
I have to ask the question, will having the internet help Marcella Morris to obtain a better life? Will it give her more money in her bank account? I think taking her kids to the library would do more for her than free internet access at home.
Why free internet? Why not free cell phones, free cable, free school?? Better yet, why not free food for those who are less fortunate. Do you know how many people are hungry in the United States.
The internet can not replace food and water.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/22/AR2007072201278.html
I have a problem worrying about people that can't afford the internet. When the television was first introduced, not everyone had one. If you wanted to see the news, you went to the movies. When cable first came to our town, not everyone could afford it or wanted it. Cable gave us MTV to see videos that went with your favorite song or CNN for the latest news. Throughout history, there are many examples of the latest technology not being available to those who cannot afford it.
The internet can be accessed for free at the local library. This past summer, I went on vacation in a rural part of Maine & had no internet access where I was staying. Needing to check e-mail, I was able to drive to the library and sit in my car to access the wireless connection on my work laptop. I also could have waited until the library opened and utilized their computers.
I have to ask the question, will having the internet help Marcella Morris to obtain a better life? Will it give her more money in her bank account? I think taking her kids to the library would do more for her than free internet access at home.
Why free internet? Why not free cell phones, free cable, free school?? Better yet, why not free food for those who are less fortunate. Do you know how many people are hungry in the United States.
The internet can not replace food and water.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/22/AR2007072201278.html
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Internet Media for Education - Embedded YouTube (Wk 6-2)
Create a blog entry that contains an embedded YouTube video that describes a particular topic related to education.
A lot of our blog entries are related to using the internet in education. I found several YouTube videos that show how schools are utilizing the internet in their daily environment.
In Dorchester, MA, the Lilla G. Fredrick Pilot Middle School is utilizing Google Apps for eductation and sharing information within the administration.
This video shows another video of a teacher just starting to utilize Google Apps with his Grade 9 class for posting homework, sharing information for group projects, and utilizing the spreadsheet applications.
Below are videos of students feedback on utilizing Google Apps at school.
A lot of our blog entries are related to using the internet in education. I found several YouTube videos that show how schools are utilizing the internet in their daily environment.
In Dorchester, MA, the Lilla G. Fredrick Pilot Middle School is utilizing Google Apps for eductation and sharing information within the administration.
This video shows another video of a teacher just starting to utilize Google Apps with his Grade 9 class for posting homework, sharing information for group projects, and utilizing the spreadsheet applications.
Below are videos of students feedback on utilizing Google Apps at school.
Internet Media for Education - YouTube Links (Wk6-1)
The links in this blog show how we can use the internet, specifically YouTube.com, toward education. Education is not limited to academics. There are many areas where people are looking for additional knowledge or "education".
As a volleyball coach, I have looked to YouTube.com to find instructional videos that can help me with drills to teach kids specific skills. Organized volleyball is very different that picnic volleyball. I have used videos like this to show my husband what is involved in playing volleyball.
I have a child making her First Communion this year. As the kids grow, they don't want to sit with Mom and learn religion. Utilizing the computer, I can show them a video about saying the Rosary.
My sister has been diagnosed with Celiac Disease, which is an algergy to Gluten. Getting educated on Celiac disease has been a challenge for the family. I am able to give links to family & friends to see education videos that they can view on their own time and fast forward through the areas that do not pertain to us. In the video you find with this link, there is a section on Celiac in pediatric. With this video, unlike in person, you can forward through this area.
As a volleyball coach, I have looked to YouTube.com to find instructional videos that can help me with drills to teach kids specific skills. Organized volleyball is very different that picnic volleyball. I have used videos like this to show my husband what is involved in playing volleyball.
I have a child making her First Communion this year. As the kids grow, they don't want to sit with Mom and learn religion. Utilizing the computer, I can show them a video about saying the Rosary.
My sister has been diagnosed with Celiac Disease, which is an algergy to Gluten. Getting educated on Celiac disease has been a challenge for the family. I am able to give links to family & friends to see education videos that they can view on their own time and fast forward through the areas that do not pertain to us. In the video you find with this link, there is a section on Celiac in pediatric. With this video, unlike in person, you can forward through this area.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Kids and computers (Wk 5)
As we read articles and write blogs about the Internet and education, I became curious about the computer class that my kids take at school.
I asked my 10 year-old what she was working on in computers. She said that they were working on graphs. I asked if they were using Excel. She stared at me like I was crazy. She said the file is just there, they click on it and it opens. I tried to explain to her that files have extensions, like xls, that tell the computer what program to open the file with. Her response, “You must know a lot about computers.”
Curious about the curriculum, I went onto the junior high web site where my daughter will be going into the 5th grade there next year. I found the presentation used for the transition from 4th to 5th grade.
In 5th & 6th grade, children will get an e-mail account, with parent’s permission, and keep an on-line calendar. Each teacher will keep the homework assignments on-line. If your child is home sick, they can still keep up with their homework assignments.
The document also talks about the technology available in the middle school;
*COWs (Computers on Wheels) wireless networked computers – Laptop computers that can be wheeled to classrooms for a variety of learning purposes.
*Mini-clusters of computers have been put in many classrooms for student use.
*The Lecture Hall – equipped with a computer and overhead projection unit, DVD and cable TV hookup, and interactive Smartboard is signed out by teachers for class lessons.
*The library and some classrooms have had interactive whiteboards installed.
*More classrooms will have similar interactive technology installed.
With all this technology available, students in Grade 5 make a PowerPoint presentation about their endangered animal research and present their findings to classmates and parents.
my daughter completed our conversation by asking me how I liked computers when I was in school. I told her I took typing and it was a worth wild class because I use that skill everyday just as she will use her computer class.
I asked my 10 year-old what she was working on in computers. She said that they were working on graphs. I asked if they were using Excel. She stared at me like I was crazy. She said the file is just there, they click on it and it opens. I tried to explain to her that files have extensions, like xls, that tell the computer what program to open the file with. Her response, “You must know a lot about computers.”
Curious about the curriculum, I went onto the junior high web site where my daughter will be going into the 5th grade there next year. I found the presentation used for the transition from 4th to 5th grade.
In 5th & 6th grade, children will get an e-mail account, with parent’s permission, and keep an on-line calendar. Each teacher will keep the homework assignments on-line. If your child is home sick, they can still keep up with their homework assignments.
The document also talks about the technology available in the middle school;
*COWs (Computers on Wheels) wireless networked computers – Laptop computers that can be wheeled to classrooms for a variety of learning purposes.
*Mini-clusters of computers have been put in many classrooms for student use.
*The Lecture Hall – equipped with a computer and overhead projection unit, DVD and cable TV hookup, and interactive Smartboard is signed out by teachers for class lessons.
*The library and some classrooms have had interactive whiteboards installed.
*More classrooms will have similar interactive technology installed.
With all this technology available, students in Grade 5 make a PowerPoint presentation about their endangered animal research and present their findings to classmates and parents.
my daughter completed our conversation by asking me how I liked computers when I was in school. I told her I took typing and it was a worth wild class because I use that skill everyday just as she will use her computer class.
"Who Am We?" (Wk 4-1)
"Programming, he reassured the students, was a cut-and-dried technical activity whose rules were crystal clear." That is the line that stood out the most for me in the article "Who Am We?". As someone who works with software on a daily basis, I know that nothing is crystal clear about programming.
I took a class at UML called Intro to Programming with C. The professor wanted to see your code and assured us at the beginning of the class that he would know if you got a programmer to help you.
Over the years, software is sold to the finance industry with a selling point of "no IT needed". More and more application have a user interface or an add on to a software that allow the user to perform tasks that were previously completed by programmers.
As I continue through the article I think of all the movies where the computers have come to live or try to take over the world. Most recently, the kids movie G-Force showed kitchen appliances coming to life through a computer chip. These appliances were in every kitchen and were being used to take over the world. It made me wonder….
Shall we play a game?
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/4.01/turkle.html
I took a class at UML called Intro to Programming with C. The professor wanted to see your code and assured us at the beginning of the class that he would know if you got a programmer to help you.
Over the years, software is sold to the finance industry with a selling point of "no IT needed". More and more application have a user interface or an add on to a software that allow the user to perform tasks that were previously completed by programmers.
As I continue through the article I think of all the movies where the computers have come to live or try to take over the world. Most recently, the kids movie G-Force showed kitchen appliances coming to life through a computer chip. These appliances were in every kitchen and were being used to take over the world. It made me wonder….
Shall we play a game?
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/4.01/turkle.html
Effects of Social Networks on Education (Wk 3-1)
I tried to read a bunch of articles on the Effects of Social Networking on Education, but none caught my attention like the Wikipedia article I used in my previous post. I read all about funding challenges and safety challenges which were interesting. But what about dicipine challenges?
If the acceptable use policy on computers has wording related to cyber bullying, the wikipedia article addressed a number of questions that need to be asked if there is a case of cyber bullying;
Did the student use school computers,
networks, or telephone lines to access his website or update it?
Did the student send communications directly to a school computer or directly to a teacher
or administrator?
While at school did the student bring attention to his website?
Have students complained to school staff about harassment resulting from information posted on the website?
Has instructional time been taken-up addressing student or staff concerns
about the website?
Has the website resulted in a loss of authority of the targeted staff member,
or a loss of control in the school?
Has a targeted staff member been unable to do her job because of the emotional
stress created by the website?
Has a student been unable to attend
school because of the emotional stress created by the website?
Although companies can have specific rules about acceptable use policies for use of the company e-mail account, I don't think they ever imagined the type of rules that would go along with a school policy on cyber bullying.
What's next???
http://wik.ed.uiuc.edu/index.php/Social_Networking_-_EPS_415
If the acceptable use policy on computers has wording related to cyber bullying, the wikipedia article addressed a number of questions that need to be asked if there is a case of cyber bullying;
Did the student use school computers,
networks, or telephone lines to access his website or update it?
Did the student send communications directly to a school computer or directly to a teacher
or administrator?
While at school did the student bring attention to his website?
Have students complained to school staff about harassment resulting from information posted on the website?
Has instructional time been taken-up addressing student or staff concerns
about the website?
Has the website resulted in a loss of authority of the targeted staff member,
or a loss of control in the school?
Has a targeted staff member been unable to do her job because of the emotional
stress created by the website?
Has a student been unable to attend
school because of the emotional stress created by the website?
Although companies can have specific rules about acceptable use policies for use of the company e-mail account, I don't think they ever imagined the type of rules that would go along with a school policy on cyber bullying.
What's next???
http://wik.ed.uiuc.edu/index.php/Social_Networking_-_EPS_415
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Other internet as a tool for education (Wk 3-2)
Reading a post on Wikipedia, I found many examples of the internet as a tool for education. In this post, I will discuss three of the examples that I found to be great tools for education at all levels.
The first example showed me how useful the internet could be for primary education. If a sixth grader was doing research on weather patterns in Spain, why not contact someone who is in Spain? Students are not limited to the encyclopedias or news papers, but on-line they can look up real time weather or weather patterns past and future.
The article also introduced the idea of connecting classrooms, which connects different classrooms from different geographic regions to learn about culture, geography and different points of view. I can imagine the classrooms utilizing Skype with a classroom across the globe and can see where they live, observe their culture and discuss differences with the other classroom.
A third area that I would have appreciated when going for my undergrad degree would be Collaborative Projects. This is something I use today in my job. Having a place to share documents between team members, having version control and date/time/user stamps on documents is invaluable data in and of itself. Back in the day, we traded floppy disks and if a deadline wasn’t met, you had no confirmation of whose piece wasn’t done or when it was provided to the team lead.
The more I read on the topic of internet and education, the more I learn and the older I feel!!! When I went to UML for my bachelor degree…..
http://wik.ed.uiuc.edu/index.php/Social_Networking_-_EPS_415
The first example showed me how useful the internet could be for primary education. If a sixth grader was doing research on weather patterns in Spain, why not contact someone who is in Spain? Students are not limited to the encyclopedias or news papers, but on-line they can look up real time weather or weather patterns past and future.
The article also introduced the idea of connecting classrooms, which connects different classrooms from different geographic regions to learn about culture, geography and different points of view. I can imagine the classrooms utilizing Skype with a classroom across the globe and can see where they live, observe their culture and discuss differences with the other classroom.
A third area that I would have appreciated when going for my undergrad degree would be Collaborative Projects. This is something I use today in my job. Having a place to share documents between team members, having version control and date/time/user stamps on documents is invaluable data in and of itself. Back in the day, we traded floppy disks and if a deadline wasn’t met, you had no confirmation of whose piece wasn’t done or when it was provided to the team lead.
The more I read on the topic of internet and education, the more I learn and the older I feel!!! When I went to UML for my bachelor degree…..
http://wik.ed.uiuc.edu/index.php/Social_Networking_-_EPS_415
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Social Networking
Hello, I missed class last week due to school vacation for my kids. I don't know anyone in class.
Please take a look at my facebook & linkedin sites under sullybailey@gmail.com. I appreciate if some classmates can have sympathy on me and send me friend requests. :)
Thanks!!
Sue
Please take a look at my facebook & linkedin sites under sullybailey@gmail.com. I appreciate if some classmates can have sympathy on me and send me friend requests. :)
Thanks!!
Sue
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
The Internet as a Tool for Education (Wk 2-2)
When asked about using the Internet as a tool for education, I think about how I use to wait in line at the computer lab at UML in the early 90’s to do my assignments for Accounting Information Systems or to type a paper. At that time, only a few students had their own computers. Now, not only does everyone have a computer, but some attend classes through the internet without leaving their home.
As a mom with three kids and a full time job, the internet has been my resource for going back to school. I have attended three on-line classes toward my certificate in information technology. I would not have been able to do this without the internet.
Two of my daughters learned to tell time from the internet. http://ellerbruch.nmu.edu/classes/cs255w01/cs255students/bsarvell/p6/time/time.html
There are many sites that are interactive to help kids learn. Encyclopedias are a thing of the past with all the information now being at your fingertips. Even Church education is using You Tube as part of the curriculum.
While the internet is a great learning tool, integration into the classroom still remains a challenge. Most teachers did not grow up with computers and their training does not include how to teach utilizing computers or the internet. The biggest obstacle of the internet as a tool in the classroom is the cost. Not only are there implementation costs to consider, but also the maintenance, including upgrades. As with anything, it all comes down to the all mighty dollar.
http://kidoz.net/blog/the-internet-as-a-learning-tool/
http://socserv2.mcmaster.ca/soc/courses/stpp4C03/ClassEssay/education.htm#4
As a mom with three kids and a full time job, the internet has been my resource for going back to school. I have attended three on-line classes toward my certificate in information technology. I would not have been able to do this without the internet.
Two of my daughters learned to tell time from the internet. http://ellerbruch.nmu.edu/classes/cs255w01/cs255students/bsarvell/p6/time/time.html
There are many sites that are interactive to help kids learn. Encyclopedias are a thing of the past with all the information now being at your fingertips. Even Church education is using You Tube as part of the curriculum.
While the internet is a great learning tool, integration into the classroom still remains a challenge. Most teachers did not grow up with computers and their training does not include how to teach utilizing computers or the internet. The biggest obstacle of the internet as a tool in the classroom is the cost. Not only are there implementation costs to consider, but also the maintenance, including upgrades. As with anything, it all comes down to the all mighty dollar.
http://kidoz.net/blog/the-internet-as-a-learning-tool/
http://socserv2.mcmaster.ca/soc/courses/stpp4C03/ClassEssay/education.htm#4
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Introducing myself (Wk2 - 1 BLOG1)
I have been married for twelve and a half years and have three kids. My daughters are 10, 7 and 4 years old. They keep me very busy.
I have bachelors in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting. I worked in Accounting for nine years before moving over to the IT side of Accounting. I now work full time as a Business Analyst supporting Oracle Financials application software.
As you can see from other posts on my blog, I am participating in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. This is my third year walking with my best friend, who lost her mom to breast cancer. We walk 40 miles over two days. Each participant has to raise $1,800 in donations to qualify for the walk.
I recently started coaching my oldest daughter’s volleyball team. It has been 13 years since I touched volleyball. It’s going to be interesting.
I have bachelors in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting. I worked in Accounting for nine years before moving over to the IT side of Accounting. I now work full time as a Business Analyst supporting Oracle Financials application software.
As you can see from other posts on my blog, I am participating in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. This is my third year walking with my best friend, who lost her mom to breast cancer. We walk 40 miles over two days. Each participant has to raise $1,800 in donations to qualify for the walk.
I recently started coaching my oldest daughter’s volleyball team. It has been 13 years since I touched volleyball. It’s going to be interesting.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
iPad and Education
When asked how the iPad can impact the education industry, my first thought was how easy it will be for college students to carry to and from class. With it’s integrated Wi-Fi, smaller than a standard magazine and weighs only 1.5 pounds, it would take up hardly any space in a student’s backpack.
The iBooks application will allow students to download their text book from the Apple store and have it available on the computer. With at least 16GB of internal storage, there is plenty of space for the semesters books. The online Notes application would eliminate the need for paper and pen utilizing the onscreen keyboard. The 10 hour battery life would eliminate the need to carry a power cord and the touch screen functionality would eliminate the use of a mouse.
There are almost 140,000 apps available from the App Store to be used with the iPad. This will combine e-mail, photos, iTunes and video all in one resource.
This is all great, but will this one advance in technology see a change in our primary schools?
Today, many school systems are struggling with budgets and find technology as a place to save funds. In the 2009 budget for Hopkinton, they combined the school and town technology services eliminating 2.6 teaching positions and eliminated funding to purchase computers for the elementary schools. This is just one town, but it echoes through our state.
iPad is not the first electronic textbook reader. Many of the articles and blogs are comparing the iPad to the Kindle DX, each having pro’s & con’s. I don’t think that it is a matter of technology, but one of finances. When society puts more value into education, you will see many technology advances providing tools to education. I am sure that iPad can be one of them.
http://www.apple.com/ipad/
http://www.pcworld.com/article/188239/apple_ipad_vs_kindle_dx_which_is_better_for_education.html
http://www.hopkinton.k12.ma.us/newweb2/schoolcommittee/budget/08_09/Budget_Booklet_FY09.pdf
The iBooks application will allow students to download their text book from the Apple store and have it available on the computer. With at least 16GB of internal storage, there is plenty of space for the semesters books. The online Notes application would eliminate the need for paper and pen utilizing the onscreen keyboard. The 10 hour battery life would eliminate the need to carry a power cord and the touch screen functionality would eliminate the use of a mouse.
There are almost 140,000 apps available from the App Store to be used with the iPad. This will combine e-mail, photos, iTunes and video all in one resource.
This is all great, but will this one advance in technology see a change in our primary schools?
Today, many school systems are struggling with budgets and find technology as a place to save funds. In the 2009 budget for Hopkinton, they combined the school and town technology services eliminating 2.6 teaching positions and eliminated funding to purchase computers for the elementary schools. This is just one town, but it echoes through our state.
iPad is not the first electronic textbook reader. Many of the articles and blogs are comparing the iPad to the Kindle DX, each having pro’s & con’s. I don’t think that it is a matter of technology, but one of finances. When society puts more value into education, you will see many technology advances providing tools to education. I am sure that iPad can be one of them.
http://www.apple.com/ipad/
http://www.pcworld.com/article/188239/apple_ipad_vs_kindle_dx_which_is_better_for_education.html
http://www.hopkinton.k12.ma.us/newweb2/schoolcommittee/budget/08_09/Budget_Booklet_FY09.pdf
Adding Images to a Blog Post
I found this image on Google Images and I have been using it a lot with all my fundraising efforts.
MORE LINKS :)
This link is to my Avon Walk team page. Again, feel free to donate to the cause!
I am a big fan of snopes.com. This site is good for checking out the validity of e-mail chains. Can you get a cash reward from Microsoft and AOL forwarding an e-mail message? False.
Once in a while I will check out the Lowell Sun on line. It's always nice to see who in the community has been arrested.
I hope you enjoy these sites.
I am a big fan of snopes.com. This site is good for checking out the validity of e-mail chains. Can you get a cash reward from Microsoft and AOL forwarding an e-mail message? False.
Once in a while I will check out the Lowell Sun on line. It's always nice to see who in the community has been arrested.
I hope you enjoy these sites.
Link to Other Sites
This post is full of links to other sites of interest.
I am learning how to create links from my teachers site annunziato.org.
Click here to go to my neighbor's blog.
This is my first try at links, so I will add another post with additional sites once I confirm that these work!
I am learning how to create links from my teachers site annunziato.org.
Click here to go to my neighbor's blog.
This is my first try at links, so I will add another post with additional sites once I confirm that these work!
Expectations
Like all the classes I am taking as part of the Information Technology Certificate program, my expectation is to become more knowledgeable and versed in the technology area.
I work in an IT department and, as an accountant, I am not always familiar with terms or technology that would be helpful in trying to communicate with my co-workers.
I am often heard stating that I am not technical. I am not looking to be technical, but don't want anyone to send me in the wrong direction. I just need to know enough!!
Currently, I have a blog attached to my Avon Walk for Breast Cancer site. Check out my team page at http://tinyurl.com/2010Hooters. The team page has a link to my page to find my blog. Not much yet for the 2010 year, but there will be more to come. The walk is in May. Feel free to make a donation while you are there. :)
I work in an IT department and, as an accountant, I am not always familiar with terms or technology that would be helpful in trying to communicate with my co-workers.
I am often heard stating that I am not technical. I am not looking to be technical, but don't want anyone to send me in the wrong direction. I just need to know enough!!
Currently, I have a blog attached to my Avon Walk for Breast Cancer site. Check out my team page at http://tinyurl.com/2010Hooters. The team page has a link to my page to find my blog. Not much yet for the 2010 year, but there will be more to come. The walk is in May. Feel free to make a donation while you are there. :)
Welcome to my blog
Hello!
My name is Susan Bailey. I am an Oracle Business Analyst for Finance, which means I support the Oracle Applications for a Finance organization.
I have a degree in Accounting from UML and am now pursuing a certificate in Information Technology.
This blog has been created as part of my class, Exploring the Internet.
My name is Susan Bailey. I am an Oracle Business Analyst for Finance, which means I support the Oracle Applications for a Finance organization.
I have a degree in Accounting from UML and am now pursuing a certificate in Information Technology.
This blog has been created as part of my class, Exploring the Internet.
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