I know you, and we've never even met before!

In my last blog I discussed Second Life, the Internet-based 3D virtual world in which user's can explore, converse, and chat using avatars.  I wanted to readdress the topic of Second Life because I just learned something new about the idea that I had not even thought of before.  You see, logging in and joining Second Life was a requirement for myself in my Master's program at Full Sail University.  Had I not been taking this course, I am pretty sure that I would have never signed up for access to this new, virtual world.  In addition, while my initial reaction of the virtual world was that it was "really cool," I did not see how this virtual world would be very advantageous to companies, schools, or universities for that matter.  However, after recently listening to a video interview with Josh Hallett, my opinion on the matter has changed.  I really thought that this could hinder people's development of interpersonal skills, but actually it might do quite the opposite.  You see, if you develop a relationship via the internet through Second Life or any other virtual modality, then you might be more apt to strike up an in-depth conversation as opposed to a surface conversation with that person when you finally meet them face-to-face because you already know them!  You've probably had detailed conversations with that person.  You would most likely know what's going on in their lives, whether it be good or bad, and an even deeper relationship after meeting in person would most likely develop.  While Second Life helped to bridge this relationship, had it not occurred before hand, a face-to-face meeting might have simply consisted of a "hello, nice to meet you and I'll see you at next year's conference!"      

What are your views on the matter?  Check out this video for yourself, and tell me what you think! http://media.fullsail.com/LMS/assets/2008/10/Video/JoshHallett-2102536A-1B78-E152-925DF1103C760109.mov

 

Meet me in the second life!

Meet me in the second life... and no, I am not referring to meeting me in Heaven after we die.  I am actually referring to meeting me in "Second Life", the new virtual world on the internet.  Second Life is an Internet-based 3D virtual world in which user's can explore, converse, chat, and participate in individual or group activities.  In addition, user's can create and/or trade 3D virtual properties and objects.  I had never heard of this website until my third class in my Master's degree program, and after visiting this sight for the first time, I found out that it actually is like a whole another world. 

This free-client program allows users, known as Residents, to meet up and converse using characters that they can personalize, called "Avatars."  This three-dimensional modeling tool is a great way for businesses or universities to participate in conference calls or group meetings without actually having to talk on the phone, or meet up in person.  I have explored through this program, but I haven't mastered it quite yet.  However, if you are interested in learning more about creating 3D virtual objects, or you're just bored with the first life, then go check it out.  

Visit http://secondlife.com, create you own virtual avatar, and start exploring the second life today! 

     

Can't Wait?!

So, when do you think that going to middle school and high entirely online as opposed to entirely on campus will be an option.  Not sure?  Don't think it will ever happen?  Well, I tend to disagree.  I think that it is only a matter of time before 5th graders and their parents will having their annual end-of-the-year meeting to decide the educational path of their "transitioning to middle school" child.  Can you imagine it, students being home-schooled their very own house in middle school, but not by their parents?  No, by actual certified teachers, and not just by one, but one for each subject as if they were changing classes at the actual middle school itself.  How advanced our middle schoolers would then be in the digital world!  After graduating from high school online, they could put approximately seven years of computer experience on their resume... ready to enter the digital workforce!  Now some may say, "What about their social lives?"  How are they going to work on their social skills?  Well, don't worry mom and dad, these schools would still have football teams and dance clubs.  Extracurricular activities would not disappear.   The Sadie Hawkins dance would still be in full bloom.  The Friday night football games would still be played.  The only thing different would be where they would hold their academic classes.  Hey, at least there would be no confusion as to whether or not they had homework.  All you would have to do is look over their shoulder!

Interested in your child taking classes online?  Check out Florid'sa Virtual School online.

It's nationally accredited, and has the same rigorous curriculum as all of the other Florida public schools, and often times, the same teachers!  Visit their site at:  http://www.flvs.net

The Computer...My Connection To The Outside World!

So, I have been out of work for a week, no sick-pay mind you, because, well, its at the end of the year.  Most teachers do not have sick time left over by the end of the year, unless their just anal, have no life, or love going to work everyday from 8 to 4.  OK, so maybe I'm jumping the gun.  Maybe there are some people who strive to have perfect attendance at their work place, but I am definitely not one of them.  Don't get me wrong, I do try to miss as little as possible, but sometimes you just need to use up those mental health days to survive teaching!  

However, If I had been more cognizant of not using up all of my sick time, then maybe I would not be in the predicament that I am in now.   The reason why I had to be out of work for a week was because the doctor had diagnosed me with Mono.  Yes, the "kissing disease."  It appears as though in my quest to find the perfect man, I kissed one that was not so perfect sometime between the area of 4 - 7 weeks ago.  That's the incubation period.  Four to seven weeks is how long it takes for Mono symptoms to show up.  Nevertheless, I am sick right now, and have not had much contact to the outside world.  

Although, my sole saviour has been technology...a little t.v.,  well actually A LOT of t.v., several microwave dinners, and the the good ol' trusty internet!  It is amazing how well you can stay connected to the outside world without ever leaving your house;  When I say world, I literally mean all over the world.  Today, on realtor.com, I house-shopped.  I visited several cities while shopping for homes.   I went to St. Augustine for a while, and then spent several hours in Belfast, Maine.  In my searches for the perfect little fishing village to inhabit, I then realized how completely and utterly bored I would have been if it weren't for technology.  

Technology has changed our world so drastically over the past two decades, it is ridiculous!  I can remember a couple of years ago (it actually seems like yesterday), when we had a really bad hurricane roll through our town.  I was living alone at the time, and had been staying at my parent's house in Crystal River to wait out the storm.  When all that was left was a little wind and a lot of rain, and it was deemed safe to go home, I said my goodbyes and hurried home to my apartment.  When I arrived, I found my entire apartment complex to be out of power.  So, since I did not prepare my own apt. for hurricane situations, I had nothing to use to pass the time except for a clock radio running off of batteries.  This was the most boring night of my life!  I never thought it was going to end.  Daylight seemed like a God-sent!  This night was a wake-up call for  me.  What did people used to do before they had t.v. to occupy their brains, before they had myspace to play with, or cell phones to text on?  To know how far the world has come, I can't even begin to imagine how far along we will be in two more decades, or even one for that matter.  

So, as I wait out  my time, 7-14 days worth, I am physically disconnected from the outside world, but digitally...I'm right on it!  O'h wait, hold on...I'm getting a text! :)-    

Searching for a home of your own?  House shop without ever leaving your family room!  Visit http://www.realtor.com for the newest listings all over the world! 

New Car/New Lingo!

Ever notice how the minute you buy a new car, you start seeing that model on the road everywhere you go!  The same can be true for new technology and Internet lingo.  Due to the fact that I am enrolled in the Educational Media Design and Technology Master's program @ Full Sail University, I am constantly being introduced to new technology, websites, and applications that I never even new existed.  Coincidently, now that I have been introduced to some of these new sites, it seems the buzz word on the tip of everybody's tongue these days is "Twitter."  I've always been a "Myspacer," and recently signed up for "Facebook."  I had heard of both, but was not real interested in tackling another social network due to the fact that I loved Myspace, and all that it had to offer!  I thoroughly enjoyed, and still do, constantly changing my background, adding new graphics and icons, and adding new pictures or sayings.  However, as an assignment, I had to sign up for Twitter.  "Twitter, what is Twitter?" I thought to myself.  I had never heard of Twitter or Tweets for that matter.  However, now that I have joined the Twitter world, and understand that "following" someone does not mean stalking, it seems that I have once again entered a completely new virtual realm that was once completely unknown to me.  Now, I cannot turn on the morning news, read a myspace bulletin, or watch VH1 without somebody saying, "Follow me on Twitter!"  How did I miss this before?  How did I not notice everyone and their mother's saying "Twitter?"  I guess somehow the same way you never noticed the Kia Sorrento on the road until you actually purchased one yourself.  Or, the same way you never noticed that so may yellow-punch buggies existed, until the fear of getting punched in your arm one more time became inevitable!  Why are so there so many of those little yellow cars, and where are they hiding when you want to punch somebody back?! -Cheley.  Check out http://www.twitter.com  and get caught up in the new lingo! 

Also, interested in getting your master's degree?  Check out Full Sail University, Real World Education, located in Winter Park.  It's a great school, and I think you'd really love it!  http://www.fullsailuniversity.edu

     

It truly is Del.icio.us!

OK, so I consider myself a fairly computer literate person, not too internet savvy, but I do well enough to get me by. However, I have always been frustrated at that the fact that because I do have three different computers, i.e.: a Desktop P.C.., a personal HP Laptop, and a Mac for my master's courses, that I often have many different things saved on all three computers. Often times, I find myself trying to duplicate my "favorites" and "bookmarks" on both of my computers, and then persistently take the time to check the little boxes that say "save my password" over and over again! However, I have seen the light! I have tasted Angel Food Cake straight from Heaven, and it truly is Del.icio.us!

Del.icio.us is a website you can join that allows you to save all of your favorite and most used bookmarks anywhere,with a password for security purposes! This allows you to go on to any computer, anywhere, at any time, and access all of your bookmarks! How convenient is that?! This program is literally a God-sent, and probably the most helpful and productive website I have ever come across. I owe it all to Full Sail University, which is where I am currently enrolled in my master's program. As part of a requirement for one of our assignments, we had to sign up for De.licio.us. At first, I was leery; I thought, "This kind of sounds like a porn site or something...or a place to learn how to bake delicious desserts!" Well, to my salivary delight, I was more pleased to learn that Del.icio.us is actually a place where you can save all of your bookmarks. My life just became so much easier! So, if you are in my boat (with having several different computers), or just want to access the same information at several different computer portals, then take a bite like I did. Honestly, take the time to indulge your senses into the heavenly piece of Angel Food Cake that this program really is! Your salivary glands will thank you, because it truly is Del.icio.us! Check it out: http://delicious.com/

Marc Prensky, the author of "Don't Bother Me Mom, I'm Learning!" and the CEO of Games2train.com, often writes about how computers and video games are preparing your children for the 21st century.  Marc Prensky has not been peer-reviewed, and he has mentioned in several articles that he has no desire to have his work peer-reviewed.  Despite not having been reviewed by his peers and colleagues, his writings are still very interesting, enlightening, and informative.  The following video link below is a video of Mr. Prensky himself discussing students using technology in the classroom, and the teachers' lack of knowledge for how to operate this technology.  As Marc Presnky has entitled us, we are considered "Digital Immigrants," living in a world with "Digital Natives (a.ka. the students)."  These students grew up in this age of technology, and became computer literate as though it was second nature.  However, we on the other hand have had to have training on how to use these technologies.  For us, it has been compared to learning a second, foreign language.  Although, practice makes perfect; with a little training and playing, we'll be "Digital Natives" in no time!     

Marc Prensky @ Handheld Learning 2008

My First Attempt

Well,  other than myspace, this is my first blogging adventure.  Normally I write about romance and love, or running.  However, in my "Point Of View" blogs, I plan on addressing multiple topics dealing with education and technology in the 21st century, and any obstacles that we may be facing as we venture into this virtual realm.  So, if you have any interest in Education and the cutting edge technology that our educational system is beginning to use, then stay tuned and subscribe to my log.  All viewpoints are accepted and encouraged, and they would definitely make a nice addition to my own!