#3

This chapter talked about various input and output devices. It said how things like the mouse, the keyboard, and cameras are all input devices. While I knew that cameras were input devices, I never really thought of the keyboard and mouse in that way, but it makes sense. Output devices would include things that show or give you information, such as the monitor or the printer. This chapter also talked about various storage devices. I've used these many times and have always found them to be extremely helpful because disks can only hold so much information, where as these hold much much more. I found this chapter to be slightly more informative than the others have, while I still knew most of the information, th
I learned about Inspiration recently and how it helps you create charts, webs, and other things to help with visual learning. I found it to be very easy to use, and now I think back to charts like this that my teachers handed out to us and how they really helped us learn the material better. Charts like that can also help you think of easier ways to remember the information, especially for visual learners who can picture the chart when they need to recall the information.
I'm starting to run out of things to say in this last paragraph, pretty soon you guys will know my life story! Let's see, I'm going to the Alabama-FSU game this weekend in Jacksonville! Let's hope it goes well, we could REALLY use this win. As much as I love Tallahassee, I'm excited to get out for a few days! It can get a little tiring.

#2

I found chapter 3 to be extremely redundant and full of information that I already knew. While I did learn about a couple of new things, such as voice recognition software and notetaking software, the rest seemed rather pointless. All this chapter basically did was specifically categorize information that I already knew, and gave examples of how it can be applied. For instance, it said that application software can be categorized into five different categories, productivity/business, school activities, graphics and multimedia projects, home and personal, and communications. Then, they gave examples of each of these categories, like Instant Messaging, E-Mail, and Blogging for communication. It also reviewed various vocabulary words having to do with software, such as menu, icon, commands, window, formatting, cut/paste, etc. The chapter also discussed productivity software, which it stated makes peoples lives more efficient. This includes things like spreadsheets, search/find features, clip art, “Wizard”, and much more. The third type of software that this chapter went over was graphics and multimedia software. This software includes desktop publishing, paint and image editing, video and audio editing, web page authoring, and more.
As I said, this chapter seemed pretty repetitive and I didn’t acquire too much new information except about voice recognition software and notetaking software. I actually find these two things to be pretty interesting though. I like the idea of being able to take notes directly onto a laptop, and/or directly onto a document and to be able to save it, but still have it be in my own handwriting. Voice recognition software is interesting too, it’s a pretty crazy thought to just be able to say something to your computer and have it complete the task perfectly. These are both things I could see myself using in the future, and things that would make my life and experience with computers a little bit easier.
Let’s see, what to say about me and/or technology in general. Well, in addition to this course, I’m also taking CGS2060, where I’m learning even MORE about computers. I actually just spent close to five hours on my first project for that course, but it did teach me a lot about the resources that are on my computer that I’m not even using, resources that can not only make my life easier, but can also make the work I do look more professional and polished.

#1

In reading the first chapter, I found the concept of digital students very interesting. It’s a very true concept, students these days really are completely different from students in the past. In addition, students will keep evolving as more and more new technology is introduced. This generation of students is also known as the digital generation. Students have cell phones with text messages and picture messages, personal computers with various programs and software, e-mail, and much more. Libraries tend to be a last resort these days when it comes to projects and reports for school, simply because there is so much information available for students to access with ease on the internet. This concept has good and bad parts to it. It’s good that students are finding new ways to learn and easier ways to access and retain information. However, the seemingly infinite forms of technology can also be a distraction to students in and out of the classroom. Digital students are not just about technology though, they are also “multitasking” students and very goal oriented.
While I didn’t learn too many new skills from this particular chapter, I did learn a lot of new vocabulary. I knew how to use my computer, I just didn’t know what each specific part of it was called or really understand how it worked. I didn’t really know the difference between various software. Packaged, Custom, Open Source, Application, and Public Domain are all different types of software. While reading, I began to think about all of the different types of software I have installed on my computer and which category they would fall into. I also learned more information about the internet and how it works, as well as the different types of networks that exist.
It took me a while to figure out what to write for this third paragraph. I finally decided to write about something that I couldn’t get out of my head after reading the first chapter. When reading about the internet, I read that about one billion people use and access the internet around the world. While one billion seems like a very large number, in the whole scheme of things, that means that there are about five billion people who don’t use the computer. It’s one of those thoughts that comes into my head where I wonder what my life would be like if it weren’t for a certain thing. Granted, many of the people who don’t use or access computers on a regular basis may be living in third world countries where they’ve probably never even seen a computer. But, in our nation, computers are necessary for most day to day life. They’re required at most universities, and those that don’t require ownership of one at least require usage of one.