This class has definitely taken me out of my comfort zone. There are certain aspects I am glad to have covered, but in general, this has been one of my least favorite classes. I am just not very interested in most of the material.
I am glad we went over "disaster recovery" because it was a good reminder. My husband and I haven't been as diligent as we should in backing up our documents. We are now looking into an external hard drive to back everything up. I would be most upset about losing all our family pictures.
Opening the computer wasn't as bad as I thought. I still probably won't do it very often, but it was interesting to see what was inside. I think it would have been helpful to go over it together first, however, because I had absolutely no idea what I was looking at. If my husband hadn't helped me, I wouldn't have even known how to open it.
The concept of the Linux operating systems was the most interesting to me. I had heard the term before, but I really had no idea what it was. It was neat to experiment with a couple versions and see how well they really work! I could see myself using one in the future.
The "Triumph of the Nerds" video series was very interesting. I enjoyed hearing how everything started - especially from the Mac perspective. I wish the series would be updated with another part since when it ended Apple was going down the drain and Steve Jobs wasn't even with the company!
I think the "Boot Process" assignment was a waste of time and effort. I still don't really understand the whole "bios" concept, but to be perfectly honest, I really am not interested. I just don't see how that assignment helped me to become a better teacher or even a more effective computer user.
I really think the two "organization" assignments (disaster recovery and virus protection) should have been group assignments (if they were assignments at all). I know that some people in the program are interested in the more technical side of the computers, but many of us are classroom teachers who joined this program to find out how to enhance our curriculum with technology. I don't plan to be an IT person, and I don't see a need to create an organizational plan for either topic and definitely not BOTH. I have been putting off both of those assignments because I really don't even know where to begin. I can understand creating plans from a personal perspective but not for an entire organization.
I think the "Perfect Computer" assignment will be fun. I already have some ideas, but I am still thinking about a couple options!
In conclusion, I think this class has TOO MANY long and difficult projects. It was said at the beginning that this would be a relaxing class... I don't think so. I know it was mentioned that this class should have been at the beginning of the program, but I don't agree. I think if it had been the first class, some of us may have left the program.
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4 comments:
Lori,
I agree with your comment on the fact that the anti virus assignments are overwhelming. I too have worked on everything else, but that.
I also agree with your comment on how we are classroom teachers looking at ways of enhancing our curriculum. I was on the technical side of the picture for over a semester, and I missed the classroom. I want to use the technology! :)
Lori,
I totally agree with you. I would have dropped this masters program if this would have been the first course.
I also agree the assignments given could have been done as a group and I think I would not have minded doing them as much.
The virus and backup reporting took a great deal of time and since so many of us covered exactly the same thing in our reports we could have learned the same and saved time if done as a group assignment. I got so consumed in the philosophy aspect of it, I began to get lost and trail off into all different directions. There is so much information on Internet security it is hard to stay focused. Really only a couple of issues can be addressed in the reports. Mind boggling!
Lori your feelings on the Disaster recovery and Virus assignments are shared. I felt that those two assignments were very hefty for one person to take on by themselves and do a thorough job. A group assignment would have made this more useful. I did not feel the amount of discussion about these presentation was proportional to the time put in. I think that they lost some of their potency for learning.
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