iChat

The video conferencing using iChat is neat and could be very useful when you need to speak to someone who's not in the same room as you. The recording of our voices in garageband was cool as well. I think these tools would be very useful in the classroom if it's set up with macs. Students in different classes would be able to collaborate on projects and share information this way.
The film clips we gathered and worked on was also a neat thing to do. I've done some work similar to this in my multi media class in undergard. I could see how this could be useful becuase sometimes there are just parts of movies or several clips that may be helpful to students so using this program, teachers can string them together and cut parts out to enhance the point they are trying to make.

Video 3/30 and 4/6

The video we watched in class the past two weeks has been very interesting to me. I didn't grow up with a ton of technology but we definitely had a computer when I was young (maybe 5 or 6). My brother and I only played games on it but I remember it being really cool. Kids growing up today have so much technology they don't know what to do with it all! This leads to inappropriate uses as well as many appropriate uses. I truly believe that the social networking sites (facebook, etc.) should have stayed only available for college students and professionals to actually "network" and stay in touch once out of school. I know I'm generalizing but there's so much drama that already goes on in schools why have a social networking site to continue the drama outside of school? Kids take things way too far (bullying, etc.) and by having these sites available to everyone, there are those who will take advantage of others and continue their inappropriate behavior outside of school. This is when students taking their own lives because of bullying, etc. becomes an issue. If kids can't get away from others even when they are at home, there is a major problem. I know even if there wasn't facebook or myspace there would probably be something else but parents need to have a good idea of what their children do online especially if they are still younger. I know I had stuff I didn't want my parents to see or read online but that wasn't until I was in high school and college. Kids do need to be kids but parents need to be invested in their lives more today than before.

iPad Prediction

My prediction for the iPad is that it will not take off and it will not become the "new thing to have." Even with it's many "useful" features I feel like it doesn't do enough for today's world users. Even in schools, where it may get it's biggest lead in the market, I feel like it will need to be used for such a wide variety of tasks that it will not be able to keep up. In theory, the iPad seems wonderful, extremely portable, does lots of stuff, etc. but if most households already have a desktop and at least one laptop, why go for an iPad? It's just more money down the drain especially if it doesn't catch on. Those who would have gotten an iPad are stuck with something that will be forgotten about tomorrow. Now, i'm not trying to be cynical but the more technology that floods our markets, the more picky people become. New technology needs to meet a demand and I just don't see the demand for the iPad. If I am totally off base and the iPad does become the "next best thing" then I'll take back what I've said but for now I'm sticking with this!