As the class began, I felt very overwhelmed and even lost at times. I had assumed the class would be an easy course in computer science or introductory lessons on how to use PowerPoint and other Microsoft Office programs. Instead, I learned the importance of Information Technology in everyday use as well as in the Public Administration field.
While I may forget many of the terms discussed in the third week of class such as FTP, TTL, SMTP etc., other IT actions have already stuck with me. We learned how to subscribe to website’s RSS and I now use my Google Reader everyday. We learned about mass collaboration and crowd surfing and I now value sites such as YouTube and Wikipedia even more. Again, I have begun to use Wikipedia daily. It has even become a part of my search engine.
In addition to teaching me these new internet skills, the class has also showed me how IT relates to Public Administration. While I am currently unsure of my concentration or where I want to work in the future, the class projects showed that regardless of the field, IT can be useful. The presentations were great because it showed how a simple business case could be applied to an array of different fields. My group dedicated our project to the education field and an e-grading system and I think it was apparent how useful an IT program could be to schools, teachers, and parents and families.
Overall, I think there were two main lessons I learned from this class.
1. The importance of using IT in a responsible and educated way. One of the big topics from the course was in regards to safety on the Internet and the risks associated with social networking sites. While I think Internet safety will always be an issue, the class stressed that if used in an appropriate way, the internet does not pose any more of a threat than a robbery or identify theft from someone physically stealing your wallet. Professor Sine did a great job showing how programs such as twitter and LinkedIn could be professionally beneficial. While I may not become an avid twitter member anytime soon, seeing how professionals utilized the sight in a responsible and educated way increased my appreciation and understanding of the program.
After taking this class, I believe IT classes should be more widespread and mandatory for high school students, college students and even professionals. Like previously stated in my blogs, IT programs like social networking pages and blogs etc. have become such an important part of our lives. This means that everyone should be taught how to use them in an educated and responsible way. Being educated about the programs would help dismiss a lot of the fear surrounding the safety of these websites because people would use them more responsibly.
2. The responsibility of businesses and individuals to build their IT skills indefinitely. Like previously stated, the class projects showed how all fields can utilize Information Technology. This means that no profession, field, or person can be excused for not understanding IT. This also applies to me. I must keep my IT skills up to date in order to be competitive and successful in the workforce. Before the class began, I thought I had a good understanding of IT and an adequate amount of computer skills. The class showed me otherwise. The class showed how IT innovation continues to grow everyday and it is my responsibility to learn and understand each new technology.
Ultimately, I believe this lesson relates back to some of the points in Carr’s article. IT has become more standardized, accessible, and cheaper for everyone so it is not necessarily the IT that can provide an advantage but rather the innovative business practices applied to the new IT. By each individual building their own IT skills, these innovative businesses practices can not only be applied but also be more efficient and effective than ever.
Overall, I want to thank Professor Sine for the all the IT skills and information she taught me. While the class was very fast paced and only lasted 5 weeks, it was one of the most informational and interesting classes I’ve taken throughout my educational career.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Week 4 Class
Last week's class was the most frustrating and confusing class so far. We discussed vocabulary such as ISP, TCP, and VPN etc. relating to information technology, and most of the discussion was way over my head. While I understand the importance of learning these terms, today I remember and understand little about what we even discussed. I think my issue is that I can not wrap my head around the idea of this world wide network. The idea that information is being passed throughout the world without any physical connections (such as wire connections) boggles my mind. In class, Professor Sine showed us the path taken when certain packets of information are sent and while it was amazing to see how information travels from D.C. to Paris to Newark, DE etc. I still did not understand how it was possible. Even when just thinking about sending emails, I think it is amazing that the information written can be sent to people around the world on this "network".
The second part of the class was also discouraging to me. We discussed Trojan horses and other Internet bugs, and it seems that there are endless ways to invade and infect computers. This is frustrating for me because I do not know how to really protect myself from these bugs. I can use my laptop as an example. My laptop has all the downloaded security programs recommended by UD and yet it is still infected with viruses. It is very slow, programs freeze easily and much of the time the Internet is unreliable. This is frustrating for me because I do not think I used my laptop in a risky manner and yet it is infected.
The second part of the class was also discouraging to me. We discussed Trojan horses and other Internet bugs, and it seems that there are endless ways to invade and infect computers. This is frustrating for me because I do not know how to really protect myself from these bugs. I can use my laptop as an example. My laptop has all the downloaded security programs recommended by UD and yet it is still infected with viruses. It is very slow, programs freeze easily and much of the time the Internet is unreliable. This is frustrating for me because I do not think I used my laptop in a risky manner and yet it is infected.
Information
Question:
What is the best way for you to get information? (written, audio, presentation, pictures, etc.) What implications might this have for your presentation next week and beyond?
Answer:
The best way to attain information differs for every individual because everyone has a different style of learning. Personally, I retain information best when it is provided in a written format which provides me the opportunity to re-read and even copy the information down. Any picture provided with this information helps me with retaining information because it provides me with a visual memory. However, I retain very little information when just listening to a speech or an audio presentation. Because I have no written copy or visual presentation before me, I can be very easily distracted. Audio presentations do little to capture and hold my attention and therefore I daydream and retain little of the information.
The issue of different styles of learning is very important to keep in mind for our presentation. During our presentation we must try to incorporate every style so we stimulate and keep the attention of everyone. I think our presentation will do this. During our presentation, we will have our project page showing on the large screen. This page has graphs, tables and images so it is visually stimulating. We will also provide a copy of our proposal so those who retain information better through reading will have a copy and will be able to read through as we present. And lastly, for those who retain information best from listening, we will present our proposal in a 10 minute speech. By addressing these issues, our presentation should be very thorough and easily understood and remembered by all.
This issue is also important for any future endeavors. When making any type of professional presentation/proposal it is important to address all learning styles. You may not know the learning styles of your audience but by addressing each style, you can be confident that the majority of the audience was able to understand and retain the information. In any type of professional presentation I think it is important to have a stimulating visual, a hard copy for the audience, and an audio component (mostly likely being your speech/presentation).
What is the best way for you to get information? (written, audio, presentation, pictures, etc.) What implications might this have for your presentation next week and beyond?
Answer:
The best way to attain information differs for every individual because everyone has a different style of learning. Personally, I retain information best when it is provided in a written format which provides me the opportunity to re-read and even copy the information down. Any picture provided with this information helps me with retaining information because it provides me with a visual memory. However, I retain very little information when just listening to a speech or an audio presentation. Because I have no written copy or visual presentation before me, I can be very easily distracted. Audio presentations do little to capture and hold my attention and therefore I daydream and retain little of the information.
The issue of different styles of learning is very important to keep in mind for our presentation. During our presentation we must try to incorporate every style so we stimulate and keep the attention of everyone. I think our presentation will do this. During our presentation, we will have our project page showing on the large screen. This page has graphs, tables and images so it is visually stimulating. We will also provide a copy of our proposal so those who retain information better through reading will have a copy and will be able to read through as we present. And lastly, for those who retain information best from listening, we will present our proposal in a 10 minute speech. By addressing these issues, our presentation should be very thorough and easily understood and remembered by all.
This issue is also important for any future endeavors. When making any type of professional presentation/proposal it is important to address all learning styles. You may not know the learning styles of your audience but by addressing each style, you can be confident that the majority of the audience was able to understand and retain the information. In any type of professional presentation I think it is important to have a stimulating visual, a hard copy for the audience, and an audio component (mostly likely being your speech/presentation).
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Week 3 Class
I thought yesterday's class was the most interesting and informational one yet! It was interesting to see how popular websites that many of us use daily such as wikipedia, youtube, twitter etc. all derive from mass collaboration and crowd sourcing. It is these terms that make these websites not only popular but also valid. I particularly find it interesting that Wikipedia can be edited by any Internet user. This availability almost instills a sense of hope in humanity because instead of people vandalizing the site, the majority of people want the truth to be posted and care enough to gather this information for others. These websites also exemplify the trends in news media. A move away from media sources such as the New York Times is occurring, and now people are creating their own context and contributing to media outlets.
One of the big topics from class was also in regards to safety on the Internet and the risk of have personal information on the multitude of available social networking sites. While I think Internet safety will always be an issue, it was pointed out that it really does not pose any more of a threat than a robbery or house break in would. Professor Sine stressed the importance of using the websites in a responsible and educated way. She also did a great job of showing how these websites can be beneficial professionally! While I do not plan on joining twitter anytime soon, I can now acknowledge how useful the site can be.
On a side note - I think classes discussing the Internet and IT should be more widespread for college and even high school students. Technologies like social networking pages and blogs etc. have become such an important part of our lives that I believe everyone should be taught how to use them in an educated and responsible way. Being educated about the programs would help dismiss a lot of the fear surrounding the safety of these website because people would use them more responsibly. I am very happy that I have taken this class. I have already learned so much more about the Internet in only three weeks. Imagine if I had taken an IT class in high school or college....
One of the big topics from class was also in regards to safety on the Internet and the risk of have personal information on the multitude of available social networking sites. While I think Internet safety will always be an issue, it was pointed out that it really does not pose any more of a threat than a robbery or house break in would. Professor Sine stressed the importance of using the websites in a responsible and educated way. She also did a great job of showing how these websites can be beneficial professionally! While I do not plan on joining twitter anytime soon, I can now acknowledge how useful the site can be.
On a side note - I think classes discussing the Internet and IT should be more widespread for college and even high school students. Technologies like social networking pages and blogs etc. have become such an important part of our lives that I believe everyone should be taught how to use them in an educated and responsible way. Being educated about the programs would help dismiss a lot of the fear surrounding the safety of these website because people would use them more responsibly. I am very happy that I have taken this class. I have already learned so much more about the Internet in only three weeks. Imagine if I had taken an IT class in high school or college....
Googlezon - Epic 2015
The Epic 2015 video and article presents a picture of 2015 and the effects of technologies such as blogging, social networking systems, and the convergence of popular news sites on journalism. The invention of EPIC, allows users to contribute any information to a central grid, allowing the system to automatically create news tailored to individuals. EPIC stores and categorizes news, demographics, political beliefs and habits and history of users. It provides a detailed summary of the world. The invention of EPIC leads to the downfall of media organizations such as the New York Times.
The question is: how close are we to the 2015 described in EPIC 2015?
I believe the point of the Epic 2015 was to illustrate the large media organizations that are being threatened by the popular online news services. To this point, I believe we are very close to Epic 2015. Today, most Americans are getting their news from online journals or news sites. Print Media such as newspapers have become outdated and the drop in their sales show this. Magazines have also begun to take a hit. However, I do not believe major media organizations like the New York Times will ever come to an end. To compete with social networking sites and bloggers, they will need to modernize their online publishing but I believe this is something they can and will to.
The question is: how close are we to the 2015 described in EPIC 2015?
I believe the point of the Epic 2015 was to illustrate the large media organizations that are being threatened by the popular online news services. To this point, I believe we are very close to Epic 2015. Today, most Americans are getting their news from online journals or news sites. Print Media such as newspapers have become outdated and the drop in their sales show this. Magazines have also begun to take a hit. However, I do not believe major media organizations like the New York Times will ever come to an end. To compete with social networking sites and bloggers, they will need to modernize their online publishing but I believe this is something they can and will to.
Delicious
http://delicious.com/
Delicious is a free, bookmarking web service for storing and sharing bookmarks. It works as a basic classification system because it allows users to tag articles, blogs, or websites under informal tags or broad topics.
It is important in many ways. First, it is useful as a search engine. Content is classified under tags/topics so those researching specific topics can be directed to new websites or articles through those tagged by others. Delicious is also a useful way to consolidate information from multiple people, locations or computers etc.
Delicious relates to mass collaboration and crowd sourcing in that the people who are bookmarking sites, are those who understand the topic content and care about the subject. They want to provide new and valid information to others.
Delicious is a free, bookmarking web service for storing and sharing bookmarks. It works as a basic classification system because it allows users to tag articles, blogs, or websites under informal tags or broad topics.
It is important in many ways. First, it is useful as a search engine. Content is classified under tags/topics so those researching specific topics can be directed to new websites or articles through those tagged by others. Delicious is also a useful way to consolidate information from multiple people, locations or computers etc.
Delicious relates to mass collaboration and crowd sourcing in that the people who are bookmarking sites, are those who understand the topic content and care about the subject. They want to provide new and valid information to others.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Blog I Disagree With...
My blogs may be out of order. Last week I posted about a blog that I liked and showed my comments for the blog. Today, I am posting about a blog that I disagree with.
http://openlettertoabc.blogspot.com/
http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/01/nowrasteh-conservative-activist/
These blogs have no connections to discussions in class. However, since it was recently the 8th anniversary to the September 11 events, I decided to look into blogs discussing the event. Both these blogs refer to the ABC documentary "The Path to 9/11" which aired in 2006. The blogs state their boycott of the film when it aired and to this day now. They state how the film was produced by a right-wing supporter and try to blame 9/11 events on President Clinton. It is not their boycott that upsets me, but rather the "blame game" the documentary and the blogs have created. September 11 was a horrific event. It is believed that both President Clinton and President Bush may have had warnings of the attack, but I do not believe any one man or administration could have prevented an attack. I also believe instead of discussing who is to blame for the event, everyone will benefit more from discussing how NYC and the nation came together to pick up and pieces and move on.
http://openlettertoabc.blogspot.com/
http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/01/nowrasteh-conservative-activist/
These blogs have no connections to discussions in class. However, since it was recently the 8th anniversary to the September 11 events, I decided to look into blogs discussing the event. Both these blogs refer to the ABC documentary "The Path to 9/11" which aired in 2006. The blogs state their boycott of the film when it aired and to this day now. They state how the film was produced by a right-wing supporter and try to blame 9/11 events on President Clinton. It is not their boycott that upsets me, but rather the "blame game" the documentary and the blogs have created. September 11 was a horrific event. It is believed that both President Clinton and President Bush may have had warnings of the attack, but I do not believe any one man or administration could have prevented an attack. I also believe instead of discussing who is to blame for the event, everyone will benefit more from discussing how NYC and the nation came together to pick up and pieces and move on.
Week 2 Class
After being completely overwhelmed after the first class meeting, I was happily surprised during the second class. Not only was my group getting a handle on our project and its requirements, but I was also beginning to understand ITs importance. I loved discussing Carr's article and actually began to agree with his argument after our discussion.
However, the most helpful information from last week's class was about RSS and google reader. Professor Sine was kind enough to show the class and me how to subscribe to particular websites. I now have a google reader account and follow the NY Times and Delawareonline.com on my reader. This makes is very easy to follow the headlines! You really do learn something new everyday!
However, the most helpful information from last week's class was about RSS and google reader. Professor Sine was kind enough to show the class and me how to subscribe to particular websites. I now have a google reader account and follow the NY Times and Delawareonline.com on my reader. This makes is very easy to follow the headlines! You really do learn something new everyday!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Blog I Liked...
http://educationpolicyblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/think-you-cant-trust-president-at-least.html?showComment=1253027980456#c9008017724922846892
My post is the very last one. This blog was on education policy and discussed issues surrounding President Obama's speech to students in schools. I very much agreed with this blog. As I similarly posted on the actual page, I believe that students should be able to listen to the President's speech. I believe that the position of the President of the United States deserves respect regardless of the political party you belong to or whether or not you agree/disagree with any of his policies. His speech also encouraged students to stay and school and work hard and I do not understand how anyone could view this message as harmful.
My post is the very last one. This blog was on education policy and discussed issues surrounding President Obama's speech to students in schools. I very much agreed with this blog. As I similarly posted on the actual page, I believe that students should be able to listen to the President's speech. I believe that the position of the President of the United States deserves respect regardless of the political party you belong to or whether or not you agree/disagree with any of his policies. His speech also encouraged students to stay and school and work hard and I do not understand how anyone could view this message as harmful.
Website in my Field
http://de.gov/
This website was very easy to find. My current specialization is in State and Local Government. The Official Website of the State of Delaware deals with just that. It is important because it houses information on the Governor and his initiatives. It provides a link to information on the State Legislature and any legislation recently passed. It also provides a list of State Agencies with a description of the agency, contact information and any recent news and/or reports from the agency. The website is important because it provides citizens not only with information on issues and regulations in their state and community but also access to the government. This is important because the government is in place to help and serve them.
This website was very easy to find. My current specialization is in State and Local Government. The Official Website of the State of Delaware deals with just that. It is important because it houses information on the Governor and his initiatives. It provides a link to information on the State Legislature and any legislation recently passed. It also provides a list of State Agencies with a description of the agency, contact information and any recent news and/or reports from the agency. The website is important because it provides citizens not only with information on issues and regulations in their state and community but also access to the government. This is important because the government is in place to help and serve them.
IT Doesn't Matter
I found this article to be very interesting. I think Carr made some very good points and by addressing the questions assigned in the homework, I hope to note these points.
What does Carr mean by IT?
He cites two different definitions. First he states that the core functions of information technology include data storage, data processing, and data transport. He then later states that IT is a transport mechanism and that it carries digital information similar to railroads carrying goods and power grids carrying electricity. This second definition was easy for me to understand and picture.
Why Does Carr say IT doesn't matter?
Carr states that scarcity, not ubiquity, makes a resource truly strategic. He says that IT's core functions have become cheaper, more standardized, and easily replicated. This means that there is no advantage to IT anymore because anyone and everyone can get or have information technologies. Carr sites a study that has proven that the most lavish spenders on IT rarely post the best results. Carr recommends that in order to still be competitive with IT, a business much achieve the necessary levels of IT at the lowest possible cost and risk. He recommends that companies follow instead of lead. This greatly decreases the risk for buying flawed equipment.
Why do his critics disagree?
His critics have many arguments against Carr. One argument against Carr's example of those companies paying the most for IT but not having the best results is that the companies' business practices are at fault rather than IT. Mr. Brown and Mr. Hagel stated that businesses must innovate their business practices along with any new IT purchases in order to benefit from IT. Mr. Strassman disagrees with Carr because he believes that IT still has many advantages because it improves the management of information and collaboration among individuals, groups, and organizations and that this ability is a priceless commodity. Another argument from Mr. Langdon is that while Moore's Law will apply to IT, it will not become obsolete because he predicts a growth in software architecture design which may change IT but will still make it important.
Who is right?
This was the hardest question for me to answer. While I do believe information technology lacks the power and innovation it once had, I disagree with Carr that it will become obsolete. IT has become such an important part of businesses and people's lives that it will always be needed. Businesses and people are also continuously developing new innovations and I do not believe this will ever end. I look forward to hearing what others have to say about this question.
What does Carr mean by IT?
He cites two different definitions. First he states that the core functions of information technology include data storage, data processing, and data transport. He then later states that IT is a transport mechanism and that it carries digital information similar to railroads carrying goods and power grids carrying electricity. This second definition was easy for me to understand and picture.
Why Does Carr say IT doesn't matter?
Carr states that scarcity, not ubiquity, makes a resource truly strategic. He says that IT's core functions have become cheaper, more standardized, and easily replicated. This means that there is no advantage to IT anymore because anyone and everyone can get or have information technologies. Carr sites a study that has proven that the most lavish spenders on IT rarely post the best results. Carr recommends that in order to still be competitive with IT, a business much achieve the necessary levels of IT at the lowest possible cost and risk. He recommends that companies follow instead of lead. This greatly decreases the risk for buying flawed equipment.
Why do his critics disagree?
His critics have many arguments against Carr. One argument against Carr's example of those companies paying the most for IT but not having the best results is that the companies' business practices are at fault rather than IT. Mr. Brown and Mr. Hagel stated that businesses must innovate their business practices along with any new IT purchases in order to benefit from IT. Mr. Strassman disagrees with Carr because he believes that IT still has many advantages because it improves the management of information and collaboration among individuals, groups, and organizations and that this ability is a priceless commodity. Another argument from Mr. Langdon is that while Moore's Law will apply to IT, it will not become obsolete because he predicts a growth in software architecture design which may change IT but will still make it important.
Who is right?
This was the hardest question for me to answer. While I do believe information technology lacks the power and innovation it once had, I disagree with Carr that it will become obsolete. IT has become such an important part of businesses and people's lives that it will always be needed. Businesses and people are also continuously developing new innovations and I do not believe this will ever end. I look forward to hearing what others have to say about this question.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
My First Blog
This is so exciting! This is my first time blogging! Just wanted to say hi! I will start with the blogging assignments soon!
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