When first previewing some Pageflakes' and Netvibes' examples, I was a bit intimidated. I chose to use Netvibes, and found it to be fairly user-friendly. Embedding the video was the most challenging part of this assignment. I admit that I tried figure it out on my own before watching the tutorial - not a wise choice. Once I reviewed the tutorial, embedding the video was not a problem. The only aspect of Netvibes that I wasn't thrilled with was the lack of layout options. I felt somewhat limited. Otherwise, I would certainly use Netvibes in the future to create information portals. I think the information portals are a wonderful way to help students and parents use the internet to its full educational potential.
The Microsoft Word newsletter assignment proved to be a bit frustrating. Until this assignment, I had never created a newsletter-type document on Word without using a template or without extensive use of text boxes. Though I went into the assignment kicking and screaming, I am glad to know that I can format a newsletter on my own without needing to use a template. I think this will help me to be more creative with fliers and newsletters in the future and allow me to "think outside the box."
Friday, September 10, 2010
Technophobia
It really exists. Google it. Technophobia. And if it's on the internet it must be true. Freudian psychotherapists say that fears can often be traced to experiences in childhood or something your mother subjected you to. In my case it was both.
My high school's first "computer" course, which was really just glorified typing and limited word processing, was taught by my mom. Somehow, despite her generational disadvantages, she was gifted in all things technological. I, on the other hand, was not so fortunate.
Still, the verdict was still out. I could still master this technology thing. My Freshman year of college I was forced to take Computer Applications I and II. How hard could this be? Has anyone out there ever heard of Quattro Pro or Lotus? Basically, you had to be a computer programmer to run those systems. Not intuitive at all. Ok, verdict in- I am a technophobic.
Despite the unflattering self-diagnosis, I have actually been forced to work extensively with computers in the years post undergrad. Technology and I have come to an understanding. Technology has become much more intuitive in recent years and I have become proficient at figuring out some way to get tasks completed using Word, Excel, etc. provided that I am allowed to take 2 to 3 times longer than it would take anyone born a decade after me.
My high school's first "computer" course, which was really just glorified typing and limited word processing, was taught by my mom. Somehow, despite her generational disadvantages, she was gifted in all things technological. I, on the other hand, was not so fortunate.
Still, the verdict was still out. I could still master this technology thing. My Freshman year of college I was forced to take Computer Applications I and II. How hard could this be? Has anyone out there ever heard of Quattro Pro or Lotus? Basically, you had to be a computer programmer to run those systems. Not intuitive at all. Ok, verdict in- I am a technophobic.
Despite the unflattering self-diagnosis, I have actually been forced to work extensively with computers in the years post undergrad. Technology and I have come to an understanding. Technology has become much more intuitive in recent years and I have become proficient at figuring out some way to get tasks completed using Word, Excel, etc. provided that I am allowed to take 2 to 3 times longer than it would take anyone born a decade after me.
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