PC Maintenance and Security Lab

Which tutorial did you choose?
The labs I chose were the ones on Malware: Defining, how do you get it, an what an unprotected computer looks like.
 What was one thing you learned that you will definitely be sharing with others?
One thing I will share, especially with my teenage step-son, is that the sites that offer free movie and music downloads are the worst sites for Malware.  I did not know about P2P (peer to peer) sites...this is how college students share information, but these sites are also notorious for spreading Malware.  Another way is through IM, I had no idea that Instant Messaging could be a way to spread Malware.  I  did learn that such sites as iTunes and Napster are relatively safe ways to share things with other people and can protect you from Malware.  I would also tell people that it is important to keep up the security of your computer and always have to most up-to-date spyware as it is always changing and can break through your computer at any moment.
Was there any information that surprised you?
Some things that surprised me about these tutorials was the way a person can inadvertently get Malware and not even know it...IM and free software, who knew? I never click on a web address from a computer user I do not know...or if I do know them I can tell when the only thing in the e-mail is some strange site.  I also didn't realize that a single computer could have anywhere from 100-5,000 different Malware viruses, it just depends on how secure your computer is and how smart you are in the security of your computer. 

• Describes at least one comment you have added to a blog.
• The one post I made to a blog was at the English Companion blog.  It was about new ideas for teaching Catcher in the Rye.  Last year I did a great paper about Catcher in the Rye and a non-fiction book called Generation Me.  I posted to this teacher my idea and he was really excited about the assignment I suggested to him.  I like this blog as it is teachers helping teachers.  I have found some great suggestions to different questions and ideas.  This is also a great place to find tech advice and suggestions.
• Describes your experience of tracking changes to these pages routinely (for example, check your RSS Reader page on at least 3 different days and describe the differences in postings across those days).
•  I think I could spend hours and hours a day tracking all the different RSS feeds.  You really do have to limit yourself and do a lot of skimming.  I like some of the "clip" features that I can get on my iPad so if I really am interested then I can go back and read the articles in the summer when I have a few minutes!!! It is interested to follow the different blogs and read everyone's opinions and how people react.  Most people have solid information, but others just drone on and on. Like I have stated before you really just need to skim or "clip" some of the articles to read later.  The best part about all of this is that it can be archived or just saved for later.
• Describes what you have learned from the contents of the news feeds you have been tracking.
•  One of the RSS' I follow is called iPad Insight.  This is a new site and it started after the iPad 3 was introduced.  I have learned about the new features of the iPad 3 and some of the downfalls as well (like how hot the machine can get).  I have also learned about some of the new Apps that have come out since the new iPad 3.  There is a very cool photo App called Photo Toaster and just today Madonna just released her own App...but I don't think I'll get that one.
• Describes how you might apply either the content of your RSS Reader page, or the capabilities of RSS Reader pages, in your own setting.
• I think RSS feed would be great in an education setting.  I could post different articles on my webpage and this could benefit both parents and children.  This is a great way to keep up with the latest educational and technology trends.  I like to keep up with the latest iPad Apps and tricks and this is a great way to do that.  I have a lot of students who use iPhones and iPads and I like to show students and parents what is out there to use at school and at home.   

Rss feed

Social Networking post

After reading about all of the tools available for participating in and creating social networks, create a post of your ideas in your blog on how social networks fit into your workflow, professionally and personally and how you think they fit into the lives of your students and or peers.

I use social networking tools a lot with being a teacher. I use several Nings and am constantly being updated with the newest ideas etc.  I have given several ideas to people and have received great advice and ideas from the English companion Ning.  Our school also has a Ning that all the teachers are connected to as well.  We communicate our department meeting notes via the Ning and there are several Nings that different departments use to share ideas.  The social networking is a great way to share ideas and ask a quick question to peers.

Personally I use the social networking to keep up with old friends, family, and colleagues.  I am constantly receiving updates about my nephew's walking progress or my friends family pictures. I love seeing what everyone is doing and where they are traveling.

For students I know they are constantly on social networking sites.  I think that I would be great to have a class Facebook page.  That way I would be able to update students on test changes, assignments, and students could ask questions about assignments that I could answer or other students.  This would be one way to keep in contact with students.

I could also post articles that everyone could read via the different social networking sites.  Students could also post different articles that they found to the networking site.

I have also used a site called "Fakebook" and with this fake Facebook site I had my students create Facebook profiles for the different characters in Lord of the Flies.  It was a great way for the students to "become" that character and how they would interact via Facebook

Post to the English Companion Ning

Welcome to my blog!

Hello everyone and welcome to my blog.

Janet