Chapter 10Chapter 10

Making the Most of Technology

P.O.W.E.R. PlanP.O.W.E.R. Plan

• Prepare: Identify distance learning course possibilities

• Organize: Obtain access to technology• Work: Participate in a distance learning

class • Evaluate: Consider your “classroom”

performance • Rethink: Reflect on what and how you

have learned

Technological advances Technological advances increase your increase your

opportunities to achieve opportunities to achieve success in college.success in college.

A “digital divide” A “digital divide” separates students who separates students who

have easy access to have easy access to computers prior to college computers prior to college

from those for whom from those for whom access is difficult.access is difficult.

The DivideThe Divide

• Homes without computers

• Homes without internet access

• Older students who did not have computers in school

Computer BasicsComputer Basics• Hardware - physical part of computer

– Display– Mouse– Keyboard– Computer unit (CPU)

• Software – tells the computer what operations to carry out– Operating system– Application programs perform specific kinds of

functions• Word processing, Presentation programs, Spreadsheets

Word ProcessingWord Processing

• Creating text documents

• Inserting graphics or symbols

• What else can a word processing do?– Spell-check– Correct grammatical errors– Correct style of writing

Presentation ProgramsPresentation Programs

• PowerPoint-common software

• Animates graphics

• Moves text on and off the page

• Sound clips

• Movie clips

Getting the Most out of Getting the Most out of PowerPointPowerPoint

• Pay attention primarily to what is said and second to what you see on the screen

• Don’t copy the entire slide

• Key points are on slide

• Ask if presentation is available online

• Note-taking is still important

Spreadsheet ProgramsSpreadsheet Programs

• Excel: common software

• Calculations

• Formulas

• Create graphs or pie charts

The “Net”The “Net”

• Email

• Newsgroups

• Listservs

• World Wide Web

• Telnet (requires name and password)

Using EmailUsing Email

• Username• Password• Abbreviations

– AFAIK (as far as I know)– BTW (by the way)– CYA (see ya)– OIC (oh, I see)– WTG (way to go)

Spam ManagementSpam Management

• Junk mail

• Use filter if available

• New response to spam: Do Not Click on Link

Email EmoticonsEmail Emoticons

• (:-& angry

• :,( crying frown

• :-D funny

• :^D happy

• * kiss

• ;) wink

NetiquetteNetiquette

• Email is not private

• Tone is hard to convey

• Don’t use all capital letters (shouting)

• Don’t send email when you are angry

Distance LearningDistance Learning

• Internet• ITV-through television• Some courses and degrees are not from

accredited colleges, so check before you take an internet class over the web

• Online courses may be self-paced• Online courses may improve your

writing skills

Disadvantages of Disadvantages of Distance LearningDistance Learning

• Prisoner of technology

• No direct, face-to-face instructor contact

• Immediate feedback not likely

• Requires discipline, personal responsibility, and time-management

PreparePrepare

• Identify distance learning possibilities

• Make sure your college will accept credit

• Check course requirements

OrganizeOrganize

• Obtain access to technology– Computer– Internet– Check settings

WorkWork

• Back up all work on CD-rom or disk

• Makes hard copies of work

• Have alternate plan if your computer crashes

• Be sure you check in with instructor frequently

EvaluateEvaluate

Use basic principles of classroom civility when receiving or

providing feedback

RethinkRethink

• What have you learned?

• Would a classroom setting be better?

Finding FactsFinding Facts

• Library– Periodicals– Indexes to periodicals– Encyclopedias– Government documents– Musical scores– Reserve collections– Online databases

Where is It?Where is It?

• Library catalog

• Use call number, a code that tells you exactly where to find information

• Stacks - shelves of books

• Recall - library contacts person to return a book

Where is It?Where is It?

• Interlibrary loan - system by which libraries share resources

• If you can’t find it - consider interlibrary loan

WWWWWW

• Browser-Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator– Browser is a program to help you find information

• URL (Uniform Resource Locator) identifies a unique location on the web

• Web pages: document• Links: embedded addresses• Search engines: index

Search EnginesSearch Engines

• Yahoo• AltaVista• Excite• Google• Ask Jeeves• Dogpile

• Fast Search• Hotbot• LookSmart• Lycos• Northern Light• MetaCrawler

Evaluate Information Evaluate Information on the Webon the Web

• Consider the source

• Unregulated information

• How current is the information?

• Don’t copy without citing source

• Nothing is private

P.O.W.E.R. PlanP.O.W.E.R. Plan

PREPARE

ORGANIZE

WORK

EVALUATE

RETHINK

Identify distance learningcourse possibilities

Obtain access totechnology

Participate in a distance learning class

Consider your“classroom” performance

Reflect on what and howyou have learned

Career ConnectionsCareer Connections

Explore career opportunities on the

web.

ResourcesResources

Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Computers by Michael Miller (Que, 2005)

The Distance Learner’s Guide by Western collaborative for Educational Telecommunications (Prentice Hall, 2004)