In this Composition class, us students used several useful and practical online applications for the development of our classroom curriculum. Google+, introduced as a way to further connect with our classmates and sell our information, was not one of those applications.
Come to think about it, we only used Google+ once in the class to advertise information we had found on the discarded essay topic of Net Neutrality. (I was also appalled that my classmates had never heard of Net Neutrality in the least, but that's a story for another day.) After posting the link we had found on Google+, we never used the web site again in class. Truly a waste of the many ways we could use the app in our class time.
Even then, the entire structure of Google+, as a social media hub, contained zero appeal to me to be used in my social life. There was nothing there from which I could find enjoyment in on a personal level. I don't know why Google even bothered to make it.
So there you go.
Hail Cthulu!
Friday, March 20, 2015
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
25 Google Drive & Related Thaumaturgy
One of the biggest surprises of this class has been the use of Google Drive as a way to receive feedback on the papers we wrote. Truly, I had no idea that such an application existed, but I am all the better for learning about it.
For starters, I loved its feature allowing the commentary of a colleague's work without actually interfering with said colleague's efforts. Truly such a feature is golden for the efforts of all students seeking critique of their homework; an idea that our dear Professor took advantage of when making us grade each other's work. It seriously made for some interesting class sessions I never expected.
But more importantly, I can see tremendous use for this feature outside of class and within my ambitions of novel writing. When before I hoped to seek critique from a peer about my first book, I had to attach the book to an email that would go out to my hopeful reader. Nine times out of ten, my hopeful reviewer barely even looked at it. But now, by putting the book on Drive for critique, I can not only better control who sees the book, but also am able to receive commentary to improve the work without the document being manipulated in the process.
It's just like Magic!
Blessed Be!
For starters, I loved its feature allowing the commentary of a colleague's work without actually interfering with said colleague's efforts. Truly such a feature is golden for the efforts of all students seeking critique of their homework; an idea that our dear Professor took advantage of when making us grade each other's work. It seriously made for some interesting class sessions I never expected.
But more importantly, I can see tremendous use for this feature outside of class and within my ambitions of novel writing. When before I hoped to seek critique from a peer about my first book, I had to attach the book to an email that would go out to my hopeful reader. Nine times out of ten, my hopeful reviewer barely even looked at it. But now, by putting the book on Drive for critique, I can not only better control who sees the book, but also am able to receive commentary to improve the work without the document being manipulated in the process.
It's just like Magic!
Blessed Be!
Monday, March 16, 2015
24 The Magical Delights of Class Blogging
The most exciting part of this class for me has definitely been the class blog. While other networks such as Google+ and the Class Wiki were not only slightly negligible and rarely contributed to class efforts, the same cannot be said about the class blogs.
Given my own inner nature, I am oftentimes drowning in a mental sea of ideas and endless words that seek expression more often than not. All throughout the day, the inner clockworks of my mind are going through not just the days events and what could have been said and done that wasn't; but also through various ideas for creative projects I will eventually attempt, the myths and legends that all young men in my age group are burdened with, countless fantasies of myriad varieties, and impulses coming at me in every which way. I go to bed at night and often cannot sleep from the oceans of words that flood my mentation at such a constant and consistent rate.
(This is not to say that others do not have rich mental atmospheres. Only that part of my life ambitions and creative pursuits, revolve around finding ways to channel all of this in ways that would do me well.)
So when I learn that we would be blogging in class, my heart silently skipped a beat out of the knowing that I had legions of useless information and ideas to pour into the internet for my colleagues to ponder. For the longest time, I have always wanted to write a popular and successful blog, but without an audience, nor a consistent theme with which to attract an audience; I was at a loss.
I still am at a similar loss; but this tool in class has been such a joy and treat to peruse and it has truly been the highlight of my class time with Hamon.
Bon Appetit
Given my own inner nature, I am oftentimes drowning in a mental sea of ideas and endless words that seek expression more often than not. All throughout the day, the inner clockworks of my mind are going through not just the days events and what could have been said and done that wasn't; but also through various ideas for creative projects I will eventually attempt, the myths and legends that all young men in my age group are burdened with, countless fantasies of myriad varieties, and impulses coming at me in every which way. I go to bed at night and often cannot sleep from the oceans of words that flood my mentation at such a constant and consistent rate.
(This is not to say that others do not have rich mental atmospheres. Only that part of my life ambitions and creative pursuits, revolve around finding ways to channel all of this in ways that would do me well.)
So when I learn that we would be blogging in class, my heart silently skipped a beat out of the knowing that I had legions of useless information and ideas to pour into the internet for my colleagues to ponder. For the longest time, I have always wanted to write a popular and successful blog, but without an audience, nor a consistent theme with which to attract an audience; I was at a loss.
I still am at a similar loss; but this tool in class has been such a joy and treat to peruse and it has truly been the highlight of my class time with Hamon.
Bon Appetit
Saturday, March 14, 2015
23 The Impact of Big Data
If this is the part of my blog where I'm supposed to get into a vast hullabaloo about either the pros or cons of massive data affecting my life; you can forget it.
Given that I do not own a smart phone and that my internet use consists primarily of checking my Facebook wall and using Youtube as a radio, I wouldn't say that "big data" impacts me as much as others. I could be wrong in this assumption, but I never truly thought of being in an information super center type of environment where I must know everything about everything at the drop of the hat. Certainly, I am a devotee of words and ideas, but generally, I have always been a little outside the entire data and technology scene that most members of my generation have become so engrossed in.
Maybe it's just me...
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
22 Personal Learning Networks
When I think of networks used by us South University students, it would be too easy for me to describe the Student Portal and Library Database. It would also be highly inaccurate of me, personally, because I rarely ever use these two apart from checking my grades. So what's a guy to do in a time like this? I simply discuss other networks that have aided my class performance immensely.
That's right. I'm talking about the google interface prescribed by our very own Professor Hamon as an aid to knowledge and the accumulation of such. Truly the Google Drive used for sharing and commenting on documents as well as Google Scholar in aid of research for papers even outside this classroom has been a monumental asset in my student life.
While Google Drive will eventually faze out of my student affairs, I see a lot of use for it in my personal pursuits of sharing and receiving reviews for my literary ambitions. Google Scholar, however, is a network I shall continue to use long after this class has finished.
I am elated to have found both.
Brightest Blessings
That's right. I'm talking about the google interface prescribed by our very own Professor Hamon as an aid to knowledge and the accumulation of such. Truly the Google Drive used for sharing and commenting on documents as well as Google Scholar in aid of research for papers even outside this classroom has been a monumental asset in my student life.
While Google Drive will eventually faze out of my student affairs, I see a lot of use for it in my personal pursuits of sharing and receiving reviews for my literary ambitions. Google Scholar, however, is a network I shall continue to use long after this class has finished.
I am elated to have found both.
Brightest Blessings
Monday, March 9, 2015
21 Misleading Statistics (or Proof that Fox News is Full of Crap)
Since we are tasked with discussing misleading statistics and data on this blog, I'd like to take a moment to honor a powerful organization that frequently presents such diatribe in copious amounts: Fox News Network. There. I said it.
While popular with conservatives, Fox News frequently misinforms their viewers through many methods, but their statistics are quite the scandal.
Having had to sit for a Baker Acted resident at my job one evening in 2012 at my former job, I was presented with a long political monologue from the suicidal woman I had had to watch for the next twelve hours on the failing standards of the country underneath the current president, a position I did not value in the least.
While I could not discuss politics with my patients by any means, I ultimately told this woman that I did not agree with a word she said, nor did I believe her hypocrisy of doom that had made her wish to end her own life.
In response to my retort, this woman had turned on the television to my second-least favorite channel (the first one being anything related to ESPN) in an attempt to catch Bill O' Reily in one of his rants about the president and therefore prove her point. Instead, we were treated to one of the many myriad blonde clones of the channel discussing potential republican candidates for the 2012 presidential race and the blonde anchorwoman was giving a long spiel about supporting Sarah Palin (of all people; I don't know why).
Now my dear reader may be wondering: Just where are you going with this delightful anecdote?
I shall tell you, my devoted fan. As the anchor woman finished her rant, she posted a pie chart on the screen detailing the percentage of support for the various hopeful candidates. Palin's alleged support ranked in at 70%. if you can believe it.
But that's the thing. It wasn't believable in the least because the other candidates listed: Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee ranked 60% and 63%, respectively. Do you see where I am going with this?
For those who haven't caught on, a Pie Chart's maximum can only be 100% and yet the statistics of that graph vastly exceeded that amount. In fact, the total amount of percentages reached 193% which clearly is not mathematically accurate.
When I pointed out this glaring error to my patient, she had finally shut up, turning off the television embarrassed and proceeded to attempt to take a nap. Winning is always a pleasant feeling.
That example of the Pie Chart is only one of many ways in which that channel manipulates their data to deceive their viewers. While Fox News is not the only network committing these sins (I'm watching you CNN), they are quite egregious with their misinformation and the fact that they claim to be honest while simultaneously making these kinds of errors makes them a perfect example for the use of misleading statistics.
Bon Appetite!
While popular with conservatives, Fox News frequently misinforms their viewers through many methods, but their statistics are quite the scandal.
Having had to sit for a Baker Acted resident at my job one evening in 2012 at my former job, I was presented with a long political monologue from the suicidal woman I had had to watch for the next twelve hours on the failing standards of the country underneath the current president, a position I did not value in the least.
While I could not discuss politics with my patients by any means, I ultimately told this woman that I did not agree with a word she said, nor did I believe her hypocrisy of doom that had made her wish to end her own life.
In response to my retort, this woman had turned on the television to my second-least favorite channel (the first one being anything related to ESPN) in an attempt to catch Bill O' Reily in one of his rants about the president and therefore prove her point. Instead, we were treated to one of the many myriad blonde clones of the channel discussing potential republican candidates for the 2012 presidential race and the blonde anchorwoman was giving a long spiel about supporting Sarah Palin (of all people; I don't know why).
Now my dear reader may be wondering: Just where are you going with this delightful anecdote?
I shall tell you, my devoted fan. As the anchor woman finished her rant, she posted a pie chart on the screen detailing the percentage of support for the various hopeful candidates. Palin's alleged support ranked in at 70%. if you can believe it.
But that's the thing. It wasn't believable in the least because the other candidates listed: Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee ranked 60% and 63%, respectively. Do you see where I am going with this?
For those who haven't caught on, a Pie Chart's maximum can only be 100% and yet the statistics of that graph vastly exceeded that amount. In fact, the total amount of percentages reached 193% which clearly is not mathematically accurate.
When I pointed out this glaring error to my patient, she had finally shut up, turning off the television embarrassed and proceeded to attempt to take a nap. Winning is always a pleasant feeling.
That example of the Pie Chart is only one of many ways in which that channel manipulates their data to deceive their viewers. While Fox News is not the only network committing these sins (I'm watching you CNN), they are quite egregious with their misinformation and the fact that they claim to be honest while simultaneously making these kinds of errors makes them a perfect example for the use of misleading statistics.
Bon Appetite!
Saturday, March 7, 2015
20 A Post of my Choice (Or a Rant About Slow Drivers)
Since this is a post of my choice, I'd like to discuss a subject that is very close to my heart and touches my very soul in ways incomprehensible to some.
Ever get that feeling when driving down the interstate at high speeds that you are flying? I do and I absolutely adore that feeling. To race down a road with the wind in my face from the windows rolled down and watch the scenery to my sides become a distant blur is simply one of the best feelings in the world. Like I said: It feels like I'm flying.
But then, lo and behold, in the distance is a car that is traveling at a snail's pace, way below the speed limit, and you, in turn, must slow down and are brought down to earth. It is such an incredibly frustrating feeling. Usually, when this happens, it then becomes quite difficult to shake the slow driver and go around him. That is even worse.
One's wings are instantly clipped and the exhilaration of travel transmogrifies into an arduous attempt to outmaneuver the fool that has grounded you. Truly, it is terrible.
It tends to happen when the fast driver in question is also in a hurry, like on my way to my Anatomy and Physiology Practicum, when I have no time to dilly-dally. Such things make me want to scream.
Imagine driving down a road with a speed limit of 50 miles per hour, only to become perpetually trapped behind someone going 35 who then constantly short stops. By the Godhead! I simply cannot stand it and I hope I am not the only one with such problems.
I hate it and wish they would just move!!!
End of Rant
Blessed be!
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