Final Reflection

Which ones excited you most? 

Previous semesters we have had to complete Blogs; however, they always seemed standard and very basic-they were intended more for the content and the experience.  When I began this course, I knew I would have the opportunity to create my own blog as I wished.  I was extremely excited!  Even though I can think of many forms of technology that I would absolutely agree were beneficial to learn about, my favorite, by far, was being able to crete a blog.  In retrospect, I spend a lot of time trying to figure out which picture, layout, settings and even fonts I was mostly interested in before I actually kept one.  Moreover, a blog can serve so many purposes.  As a future librarian, a blog can be a great way to show interactions and activities occurring in he library.  Finally, my school is IB; therefore, as a final project, 5th grades must create a major project that must demonstrate their knowledge of all their previous years, as well as their ability to create an action.  My group decided they wanted to create a blog in an effort to promote safe and healthy habits for people around the world.  I ecstatic because I knew I would be able to mentor them and provide the necessary knowledge for them to be successful. 

Which ones were most difficult for you? 

Because I am very meticulous on how I decorate and organize information, I would definitely  agree the two most, forms of technology that were difficult for me were the Piktochart and Vine.  When I created the Piktochart, I had a vision in my mind; however, after constant effort to make look the way I envisioned it, I realized it was extremely difficult.  The ability t navigate and create the graphical representation was simple.  On the contrary, deciding how to organize it appeared to be my biggest challenge.  Similarly, Vine also produced the same anxiety.  I was adamant I wanted music to be incorporated into my video.  After spending numerous hours on it, I decided it wasn't as simple as I had hoped for.  Unfortunately, I did learn how, but it would have required additional downloads that would provide music compatibility.  Maybe for next time!  

Which one (in my opinion) will most benefit students?

Of course, always popular among all technologies, Twitter, Facebook and Vine!  The challenge as a teacher is learning how to let go of the fear and accepting technology as a meaningful tool that allows opportunity for success-when and if used wisely.  Two of my other favorite tools that I believe would be extremely successful with students are Cartoons and Comics and QR Codes.  While creating a comic strip was tricky, students on the contrary would find it exciting.  You can design your characters and put your personality in them, while still being able to connect it to a skill.  For example, recreating events in a story, targeting specific skills such as sequence of events or showing elements of a composition written by students.  The possibilities are endless.  Finally, QR Codes.  Though I had seen and heard about them several times, I failed to really notice what the purpose of them were for.  Instantly, I was blown away by how simple it was to make a QR Code.  It's quick and easy to captivate student's attention.  Best of all, it allows students to become overly intrigued because they are allowed to used their technology devices.  


Finally, thank you to everyone and Dr. Gross for such a great semester.  I appreciate everything I have learned and definitely, will be something I will carry with me when I become a librarian!!!!  

Julie Trevino

Mining PEW: #6 Americans’ Views on Mobile Etiquette

RAINIE, L., & ZICKUHR, K. (2015, August 15). Americans’ Views on Mobile Etiquette. Retrieved December 5, 2015, from http://www.pewinternet.org/files/2015/08/2015-08-26_mobile-etiquette_FINAL.pdf

Pages: 38

Total: 175/150

Summary: Everyone at some point has become overwhelmingly exasperated with the usage of a cell phone.  Let's sketch out the following scenarios: At work and a colleague is glued to their phone-at times on their phone instead of actually doing their job, going to the movies and the cell phone lights up or rings half way down the most suspenseful climax, having dinner and you're starring across the table at person that hasn't stopped glancing through their emails.....how frustrating is that!!!  The is articles clearly provides an in depth look on the necessary etiquette rules that everyone should follow.  Moreover, it provides a clear picture on how the rest of the world feels about this topic.  

Noted: It's understandable that a phone is sometimes considered the only important object you carry, which possess all the information you need (even when you have nothing else), but please have some manners!!!!!  Let's take a closer dive.

SHOCKING!!!

Mining PEW: #5 Social Media and the 'Spiral of Silence'

HAMPTON, K., RAINIE, L., LU, W., DWYER, M., SHIN, I., & PURCELL, K. (2014, August 14). Mining PEW: #4 Social Media and the 'Spiral of Silence' Retrieved December 2, 2015, from http://www.pewinternet.org/files/2014/08/PI_Social-networks-and-debate_082614.pdf

Pages: 43

Total: 137/150

Summary: As the internet has gained a fast paced momentum, many have concluded that not allowing usage of technology hinders people's freedom to feel overt and comfortable about their opinions.  For many years, people have agued that the usage of internet allows people who often stay in the "shadows" to have a voice.  As a result, people would ideally become vocal about their opinions and perspectives on multiple issues.  In this article the contrary is mentioned.  It argues that even though an online discussion is available such as Facebook or Twitter, a majority of people still choose to not participate; thus, we coin the term 'Spiral of Silence.'  It is the notion that even though we have additional methods of communication that would allow ourselves to voice our  thoughts on multiple subject, we choose not to due to several factors.  The article addresses these issues and is centered around  one important public issue: Edward Snowden’s 2013 revelations of widespread government surveillance of Americans’ phone and email records. Below you will find additional findings in retrospect on how comfortable people felt communicating their viewpoints:

1. 86% of Americans were willing to have an in-person conversation about the surveillance program, but just 42% of Facebook and Twitter users were willing to post about it on those platforms.

2. Of the 14% of Americans unwilling to discuss the Snowden-NSA story in person with others, only 0.3% were willing to post about it on social media.

3. At work, those who felt their coworkers agreed with their opinion were about three times more likely to say they would join a workplace conversation about the Snowden-NSA situation.

4. Overall, the findings indicate that in the Snowden case, social media did not provide new forums for those who might otherwise remain silent to express their opinions and debate issues. 

Additional: 

Mining PEW #4: Technology's Impact on Workers

PURCELL, K., & RAINIE, L. (2014, December 30). Technology's Impact on Workers. Retrieved December 1, 2015, from http://www.pewinternet.org/files/2014/12/PI_Web25WorkTech_12.30.141.pdf

Pages: 17

Total: 94/150

Typically, the internet has become more of a leisure passer time;  however, the age in which this scenario occurs differs.  By the time you are 30 years old, you have approached your career.   In today's age, communication is key in the workforce.  Due to the rapid growth in technology and an effort to conserve and save the earth, the internet has allowed the communication to shift.  Not too long ago, I recall receiving all notifications at my job through paper.  Subject curriculums were printed and provided to us to be placed in a binder.  Today, all events and curriculums are transmitted via the internet.  Internet has become one of the most essential elements of the workforce that allows the efficiency of the job to progress! 

Mining PEW #3: Internet Access

Perrin, A., & Duggan, M. (2015, June 26). Americans' Internet Access: 2000-2015. Retrieved November 25, 2015, from http://www.pewinternet.org/files/2015/06/2015-06-26_internet-usage-across-demographics-discover_FINAL.pdf

Pages: 12

Total: 77/150

Without internet, may tasks can become impossible.  Completing a homework assignment, conducting research for a paper, checking available times to a movie, watching streamed movies, the list can on. Internet seems to be a common necessity in many people's lives.  As times have progressed, we have seen a rise in percentage.   Though most of the findings below were predictable, one surprising number was held by the senior citizens.  Though senior citizens lived in an era in which internet was not as popular, slowly they have began to gain interest and determination in keeping up to date with today's innovate-technological sources.  

Additional Findings:
1. Older adults have lagged behind younger adults in their adoption, but now a clear majority (58%) of senior citizens uses the internet.

 2. Those who live in households earning more than $75,000 are more likely to be internet users than those living in households earning less than $30,000.
3. Today, 78% of blacks and 81% of Hispanics use the internet, compared with 85% of whites and 97% of English-speaking Asian Americans.

 4. Those who live in rural areas are less likely than those in the suburbs and urban areas to use the internet. Yet, 78% of rural residents are online.