Seeing that I use a computer or computer technology of some form throughout my waking hours, I believe this course is extremly relevant to my world. As I have mentioned in previous posts, technology is such a major part of my world, both professionally and personally that I am not sure what I would do without it! I am quite comfortable working on a computer...So, how have I gone this long without having a better understanding of how a computer works?
This class has taken me places I hadn't really thought of going before: I've watched a movie about "nerds" who were not looking for "revenge" (tee hee); I've timed how long it takes for a computer to boot so that I can say, "It was ready for use in 45 seconds..." rather than saying that "it seems like it's just taking forever;" and I've actually gone "under the hood" in order to observe the inner workings of a desktop computer! All in all it has been quite interesting and extremely enlightening.
I look forward to learning more about how computer systems work. I expect to be pushed outside of my comfort zone on a regular basis, and while I find that to be stressful in the moment, I know it will be rewarding as I work my way through. I truly believe that knowledge equals power; therefore, knowing more about the way computers and their components function will help me become an informed consumer, as well as a better resource when it comes to making computer/technology related decisions at work.
Time to start channeling my "inner nerd!"
Going places that you never expected is a perfect description of this class so far. Often I read an assignment and wonder, “Why are we doing this?” Once we are done I feel a sense of accomplishment and more knowledgeable for completing the assignment. The “nerds” movie has given me a completely new perspective on the evolution of the personal computer. I am finding that I didn’t know as much as I previously thought. I had to laugh, when I read you account of the boot time survey, I too thought my computer took forever to boot (1min45sec really can’t be equated to forever).
ReplyDeleteSue, I absolutely concur with your belief that this class will have a positive affect on our ability to make informed choices with our future computer purchases! I already want to get rid of mine!!! It was interesting to see from the results that XP and Windows 7 had faster boot-up speeds than Vista (because my work computer really does seem to take forever!)... Great post.
ReplyDeleteSue,
ReplyDeleteI often preach to my students about being an informed consumer. And I guess I never thought about how the things we are learning about would make me a more informed consumer. I'm fairly certain that when students take our required course at school, they don't see it that way either. I will have to be sure to make that point to them.
Also, isn't it amazing how much we rely on these technologies we are learning about? At school on Friday, our main server was down for the entire day. It's amazing how much we take for granted that the Internet and other programs are at our fingertips. And it definitely makes you think differently about lessons that were planned and how to alter them!
Technology is such a powerful tool that it is easy to take it for granted. You are right that this class will make us try some things that we have never done before. The hard part will be coming up with ways to apply them to the teaching that we need to do. At the very least we will be better armed when a student says they couldn't finish their homework because the computer crashed. Now that you know about the boot process, you can ask some leading questions and see if they are really having a problem. Who knows, you might even be able to suggest a fix to their computer!
ReplyDeleteCapt. Kirk wanted to go where no one had gone before, maybe that's you.
ReplyDeleteKnowing what's inside a computer makes you respect the technolgy even more. You can learn to be a better consumer of software and hardware too.
After this course some people think they have too much computer, others not enough.
Sue---
ReplyDeleteI like the way that you referenced being "pushed outside of your comfort zone". I often begin assignments with a similar anxiety, but by the end feel a sense of accomplishing something. I think that initial discomfort makes this sensation better. From one parent to another, how have you been able to juggle the workload with work and a family?
Jared,
ReplyDeleteIt has truly been a juggling act trying to balance work, school and my family. Right now I am struggling to keep all of "the balls up in the air" because work has been crazy, my kids haven't been feeling well and we're getting into more involved projects in class. I try not to think about it all at once because it can become very overwhelming, as you can relate to! How are you making it all work? Currently, I'm feeling really behind so I will be dedicating much of my weekend to playing catch up! Thank goodness I have a supportive husband and family who can pitch in to help make it all come together.