Final Project

Tour of Wood-Ridge Junior Senior High School Website

Technology in Rugby

In Australia, the Waratah rugby team has began working with IBM. When practicing or playing, all players wear small monitors. They measure fatigue, collisions, and force used by the players.  Now coaches and trainers are able to see when an injury is possibly close, and can prevent it. Since using these monitors, the Waratah team has significantly avoided more injuries than in the prior year.

Social Bookmarking Project

1. What's another way you can organize and store information on your computers? You can organize information on computers using folders, which are stored on the hard drive. Also, you could use a social bookmarking site to save and organize information.
2. What have you learned from researching the above topics? What do you know now about those current events that you didn't know before? I actually learned a lot from researching the topics. For example, I never would have thought that people would be against the World Cup; it's just soccer. However, the fact that the Brazilian government is wasting money on hosting the tournament, instead of funding necessary social projects is a very good reason for the protests going on. Also, I really had no clue what was going on in Nicaragua, other than a bunch of girls were kidnapped. I didn't know an Islamic group took the girls as ransom for the release of other Islamic prisoners.
3. What are other social bookmarking apps/websites? BibSonomy, Delicious, and Google Bookmarks are all other social bookmarking websites.
4. Will you continue to use social bookmarking? I probably will continue to use social bookmarking. It's very useful, as you can access your bookmarks from any internet connected device. I'll definitely use it, when I know I will not be able to continue my work on the same computer. Also, social bookmarking is great, because friends and I could use it to collaborate different sources, while working on projects.

BAT

Buoyant Air Turbine

created by Altaeros Energies

planning an 18 month test run starting in 2015

designed as a clean renewable energy source for people in rural areas

able to reach higher stronger winds, which would produce more energy than normal wind turbines

one BAT can generate enough energy for 12 homes

35 ft wide helium cylindrical blimp with blades like a wind turbine

remote controlled

attached to ground by tethers, which carry the electric current to the ground

common in California, Texas, and Europe to see on top of tall buildings

usually placed higher than flights levels of animals, and lower than airplanes (1,000-2,000 ft)

Benefits to People in Rural Areas

• lower cost of electric and heat
• provide electricity to pump clean water from central wells
• refrigeration can be possible
• cell phone communications are possible, if cellular repeaters are integrated into the design

IXL

IXL is a wonderful website for Algebra II students. I would highly recommend that Mr. Olsen take advantage of this great tool. It has lessons for every section that his honors class covered throughout the year. However, IXL goes into more depth about each topic, and includes smaller more detailed sections than the text book.
IXL basically quizzes students on certain topics. When you get a question wrong though, it will display step by step instructions on how to complete the problem. This is a great way for students to see what they are doing wrong, and how to properly execute problems. I will definitely begin using IXL for some extra practice outside of class. It's excellent for students who are unable to receive any extra help or tutoring, and is a perfect study tool. IXL would really be an excellent website to incorporate into the classroom.

Do Now 5/7/14

     I agree with much of the article. The parts where it talks about maintaining privacy is highly agreeable, because you really don't know who is looking at your information and when. Maintaining a good reputation is extremely important as well. If someone looking to hire you sees a lot of curse words in your posts, it could greatly affect their opinion of you. You, also, don't want to be the person that's always negative or obnoxious. The article did have many good points.
    At the same time, it did not have some very good tips. However, I specifically do not agree with number ten. Even though I rarely post a "selfie," and don't really enjoy everyone's, people shouldn't be told to stop posting them. No one had a problem with selfies before Instagram and Twitter became popular, so why should it matter now; usually they're just harmless pictures of some faces. Also, I really don't understand what number two means. How do you create an interactive post? The only thing I could think of would be including links or media in the post. This article gave me quite a few mixed feelings.

RSS Feed Project Questions

1. Why did you select the sites you subscribed to? I selected these sites, because for the most part they all interest me. I really like the types of things in my personal folder, like news about new video games or art. Also, I like being informed about everyday news, and the news section helps me with my tech articles. 
2. Was it easy to find feeds and to subscribe to them? Yes, it was very easy. I was able to browse different categories in Digg Reader with only a few clicks. When I wanted to find a specific website's feed, I would scroll to the bottom of the page looking for the RSS symbol.
3. Which sites were your favorites? My favorite site was CNN. It always has a lot of new information about various topics. Also, it provides me with a lot of interesting material for my tech articles.  
4. What else can you use RSS feeds for? RSS feeds can be used for a lot. Besides blogging or just collecting news, they can be used to collect media, like pictures or videos. They're very useful ways for people to send important information to a mass.
5. How likely are you to continue to use RSS feeds in the future? It's actually pretty likely that I will use RSS feeds again. They're a great way to collect all the information you want and put it in one source. I'll most likely be using them for this class.

Virtual Soda

SODA DRINKER PRO

The game was created by Will Brierly. He said "I woke up at four in the morning, and I didn't have so soda, so I needed to make one. I didn't have any soda making materials, so I did have a computer. I started creating it." The first five levels were completed within 19 hours.

• creation of Soda Drinker Pro began in 2007; was released in 2013
• pioneer of the first person soda drinking genre
• over 100 levels
• contains a secret game titled Vivian Clark that can be accessed by standing next to a particular rock for over thirty seconds.Vivian Clark has been reported to resemble LSD simulators
• available on Mac and PC; will soon work with Kinect for Xbox One

Favorite Restaurant

      Miller's Ale House is a great restaurant. The first restaurant was opened by Jack and Claire Miller in 1988. It started off in Florida, but now has locations in 9 different states. As of August 2012, there are
47 locations in Florida and 10 elsewhere. In 2003, the Miller's Ale House chain was recognized by the Nation's Restaurant News for its great and rapid success. Miller's Ale House makes $4.1 million in annual revenue.

      If you look at their online menu, you will see that there is a wide variety of food. Miller's serves steaks, chicken, burgers, soups, salads, seafood, pasta, desserts, and many other types of foods. My favorite food is their vegetarian fajita. Their best appetizer is the Ale House loaded fries. Personally, I really appreciate their separate vegetarian menu, as not many restaurants accommodate such diets. 

      Miller's Ale House really is the best place to eat. It has a wide range of delicious food, and is very accommodating. Everything on the menu is fairly priced, as well. Being a sports oriented restaurant, there are TV's throughout the whole restaurant with different games previewed. Miller's Ale House has great hospitality and excellent service. If Miller's Ale House closed down, I would resort to other restaurants closer to me, like TGI's or Houlihans. However, Miller's Ale House really is the best.

Wikis 4-1-14

1. How can a wiki be used in your current classes? Be specific to your classes! A wiki could be used in my Algebra II class. All the time students have a hard time understanding the information, and have trouble with homework or studying. A wiki for certain lessons could be useful, so that students can go back and look at the online notes. Also, if something is unclear, another person can edit what the teacher/author said, so that it is more understandable. 
2. Students will be able to help each other and ask questions in the discussion tab as well.
3. What are the benefits of using a wiki? A wiki is a great starting point for information. There is a wide variety of knowledge collected together, as there are many authors. It can, also, be used to find related sources, as there is a list of citations of the information.
4. How can we create one in this class and utilize it? We can start one in Web 2.0, and use it to collaborate better. We can use it, when our teacher wants everyone to learn a new topic, and practice it, like using hyperlinks. He can write the instructions in the wiki, and then the students can either edit their examples in the document, or comment on it with their examples.
5. What experience do you have using or creating wikis? The only experience I have at the moment with wikis is using Wikipedia and WikiAnswers. I've used them mainly to help with basic information on homework, or reports.

Wiki 3/31

Wiki is a website that allows people to collaborate information about a topic into one source. I have only ever used Wikipedia. Wiki can be used in education, as a great beginner's source of research. It offers a wide variety of information, including topics used in school. However, because anyone can edit the information, students/educators should double check the information they want to use from it, as some might be incorrect.

App for Avoiding or Stalking?

Cloak

- a free anti-social networking app

• designed to allow you to avoid certain people by tracking where they 

  are

• detects your friend's locations by connecting to your buddy lists on 

   Instagram and Foursquare

• might access Facebook buddy lists soon, as well

• downside: can be used for people to stalk others, or find someone

  who is avoiding them

• avoid being tracked by turning off location services on Instagram and

  Foursquare

*As a side note, this app reminds people to be careful with how much

  information they are putting out there.

What makes you join or buy a product?

Marketers use many different tactics to get people to use their products. One is by associating popular figures or items with the product. Personally, I'm not influenced by seeing a celebrity in commercials. I'm more influenced, if a lot of people I know are using the product, which is another huge tactic to marketing. Overall though, I would really have to like the product to buy or continue using it.

Invisible for One Day

I always told myself, "If I was invisible for one day, I would do as many good deeds as I could." Well, little did I know that today Mr. M would give me his new invisible cloak to test out. After helping out by running a few of his own tests, I was allowed to use the cloak for the rest of the day. While I was just happily walking around town, I heard Ms. E, the pizza parlor owner, yelling. Curiously, I ran over to see what had happened.

It was all real quick, but I realized that Mr. Pizza was being robbed. Then, I realized this is the perfect opportunity to use the invisible cloak. Stealthily I creeped behind the robber a hit him over the head. He was really confused, since he couldn't see I was there. Although Ms. E was frightened by me, I yelled to her to call the police. I punched and kicked the robber only a few more times. It was a real easy fight, because I was able to dodge everything he tried doing. Eventually the police showed up, and the robber quickly gave up, as he was already startled by me. All the money was returned to the shop owner, and the robber was arrested. Walking back to Mr. M's lab to return the cloak I thought about the whole situation. In a way I was one of those secret super heroes.

National Unplug Day

Although most people are always connected to social media and news with the newer uses of technology, not too many know about the existence of National Unplug Day. Friday, March 7th will mark the holiday's fifth anniversary. Since the first unplugging day, organizers have acquired over 200 groups as partners, such as the Ad Council, Digital Detox, and Google. National Unplug Day is dedicated to not using phones, tablets, laptops, and other electronic devices. With their no electronics free time, previous participants have reported to quietly reflect, enjoy nature, reconnect with family or friends, focus on projects, and catch up on sleep. The holiday was originally introduced by the nonprofit organization Reboot. At first is was created to show more respect for the Jewish Sabbath. However, many people now celebrate National Unplug Day, as concern for our dependence on electronic devices grows.
For more information and some tips to help with National Unplug Day click here.

Phone Friendly Starwood Hotel

The Starwood Hotel chain is very dedicated to making a guests stay pleasurable, through the use cold technology. Within the next three months, Starwood plans to begin using an app to unlock guest doors in two of its hotels. Anyone with an iPhone or Android will be able to automatically receive their room key, and will be able to unlock their room using Bluetooth technology. Starwood Hotel believes this will be the new standard for hotels, because no one will lose their keys, and it saves time checking in when you first arrive. If the app works well, Starwood will include this luxury in its 1,150 other hotels with the next year.

Some other uses of technology among the Starwood Hotel chain are using solar power and an iPad-specific app. Starwood has begun giving discounts during a "Cyber Monday" sale as well. Also, now used on its websites is Instagram integration, which lets visitors see images that guests have posted in Instagram.

Educational Technology and Copyright Law

Image by Timothy Vollmer

I recently read the article Educational Technology and Copyright Law. Honestly, I learned quite a few things from the article, and it clarified a lot. Something I didn't know prior to reading was that almost everything is copyrighted automatically. I was always under the impression that you have to file paperwork and pay to have something copyrighted, but this is only true for licensed works. Copyrighted works are available for free use as long as it is for educational purposes or credit is given to the author. I previously believed that you either had to give credit and/or pay for use of the material. This article told me a lot of things that I didn't know. It will definitely help me with future assignments, and I'm happy to have a better understanding on the issue of copyrights now. The article was extremely helpful, and very informative.

Faster Movies for Comcast Custermors

On February 23, 2014, Comcast confirmed that it will allow Netflix to connect directly to its broadband network. It has been stated that the more direct service is "already delivering an even better user experience to consumers." Netflix and internet service providers have been disputing the huge amount of bandwidth Netflix streaming uses. Sometimes Netflix traffic can be 1/3 of all U.S. broadband network traffic. Because of this, internet service providers have wanted Netflix to pay them for the bandwidth. Early this year, the problem slowed Netflix streaming speeds for customers of Verizon FiOS by 14%. Speeds for Comcast customers have also been really slow, until the new agreement took place.

Click here to view the original article.

3D Printing

Make Create Innovate Convention

• 3D printing was created in 1983 by Chuck Hull.
• Hull was working for a small business that made tough coatings for tables using ultraviolet lamps. When he suggested a new way to use the UV technology, to quickly turn computer designs into working prototypes, he was given a little lab to run experiments.
• 3D printing is used to create models for medical purposes, engineering, architecture, art, and many other types of businesses. The machines have even been sold commercially for the average person.
• The machine still uses stereolithography, like classic printers. A photopolymer liquid is kept in the machine as ink. When a UV light touches the liquid it turns into a solid plastic.
• Since the first machine, companies have been competing to increase accuracy, speed, and quality of 3D printers.

The whole premise of this technology has been to foster creativity, and change in product design and manufacturing, and so forth. This is a means to convert something on the computer to reality in a straightforward way.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/13/tech/innovation/the-night-i-invented-3d-printing-chuck-hall/index.html

US History II

http://wood-ridge.schoolwires.net//Domain/208

I am currently taking US History II this year, which is taught by Ms. Garvin. She is an excellent teacher. You can really tell that Ms. Garvin is passionate about what she teaches. While she is an understanding and sometimes lenient teacher, Ms. Garvin is tough, as well. She constantly has work, activities, projects, tests, and quizzes. Although some of the work is meant challenging, she does accept it late with a deduction of five points for each day. Overall, Ms. Garvin is an organized, enthusiastic, and helpful teacher that knows how to make class enjoyable.

I somewhat knew what to expect out of the class this year, since I had US History I with Ms. Garvin. I expected to learn American history from the end of World War II, where we left off last year, to the present day. In class, so far, we have covered basically only things from the time period of the Vietnam War. This includes, tons of movements and events, thought, like the Civil Rights movement, multiple presidential elections, and the Hippie movement. Ms. Garvin is able to keep all this boring information interesting by always having different types of activities for us to do. With group work, a field trip, trivia games, and handouts, Ms. Garvin always keeps the class positively interactive.

http://my.hrw.com/ (online text book)

One part of the class, that makes US History II interesting is Ms. Garvin's application of technology. For every chapter that we cover, Ms. Garvin has a PowerPoint presentation of important notes. I find this really useful, because I will have all the information I need to study at easy access on her website, and I'm able to concentrate, during class, more on the content of the information than on taking notes. Once in a while, we will even watch videos, during class, which of course makes the class more enjoyable. Lastly, we are occasionally assigned online projects, like creating presentations on https://prezi.com/login/?next=http%3A%2F%2Fprezi.com%2Fyour%2F. Ms. Garvin creatively incorporates the use of technology to make US History II a lot more interesting.

Mission Bit

•Mission Bit teaches the 70% of students in San Francisco who have no technology classes, basic computer science courses.

•Students can take either introductory classes using HTML, CSS, and Javascript, or an intermediate class that teaches Ruby, SQL, and JavaScript.

•Classes are taught by volunteer experienced engineers. There are so many volunteers that the student to instructor ratio is 2:1.

• Between the 2013 and 2014 school year, overall student enrollment tripled. Out of the 89% of students who had never worked with programming 40% were female. (In contrast, only 21% of Computer Science AP test takers in California were women last year.)

• Last semester, students created video games, made websites, created chat clients, and visualized audio.

• Mission Bit offers students high school credits, experience companies look for in computer programmers, and internships with San Francisco technology companies.

http://techcrunch.com/2014/02/05/missionbit/

Welcome!!!

Hello, my name is Cora and this is my blog. You're going to see a lot of tech articles for my Web 2.0 class on here. I, also, take English II, Spanish III, US History II, Chemistry, and Algebra II. At my school I'm involved in many clubs, like band, choir, art, robotics, and soccer. I love playing on the soccer team, as well. I really like listening to music, but I find country music extremely boring. I play video games a lot; my favorite video game is Black Ops II. I've been a vegetarian for five years now. I live with my six family members and my dog named Braxton. I hope you enjoy being on my blog, and find its information useful. Thanks for reading. :)