Society and Technology

When we think about the word 'technology' we tend to think of it as a ‘new’ twentieth century word – one thinks of machines, computers, washing machines, airplanes and so on. However, when we think carefully about the meaning of the word, we begin to understand that technology has been around since time began. Technology, throughout history, has simply been the practical outcome of the application of human or scientific knowledge. In other words, from earliest times, people have thought how best to improve or change a particular activity, idea, tool or skill and technology and technical change has been the result. We are all familiar with the big technological breakthroughs - the development of metal tools, the invention of the wheel, the move to steam power during the Industrial Revolution. But technology is all the little things too. For example, when the first humans began to farm the simple idea of a bag, slung around the waist was a more efficient way to carry seed for planting than returning to get a handful of seed from a sack every few minutes? What resulted from this simple idea was a 'new technology' as well as technical change.
Also, technology can acquire a dynamic all of its own. One famous example is that of the invention of Velcro. Many other technologies have developed in this way and it is these aspects of technological development that tend to lead us to equate technology with 'progress' and as something unstoppable. Just think about it, how often have you heard people express the view that 'you can't stop progress' and that 'technology is taking over'? Yet the example of the person who devised the 'seed bag' all those years ago, reminds us that technical change definately comes from people making decisions about completion - from trying something out and deciding whether or not to use it. People decide to invest time and money and develop technologies which are usually, in the modern era, for profit. So technology, like science, is the history of human invention and innovation. Although it doesn't often feel like it, human beings can and do shape the direction of technology and technical change.
The find more research on this topic, go to this website:
http://www.socitm.gov.uk/Public/default.htm

How Do You Learn the Best?

Have you ever thought that if you were to learn something in a different way, it would make things so much easier to grasp? For instance, some people obviously are visual learners, and others learn directly from text. How fair is it that we have to be stuck in a classroom with other students who learn differently and at different speeds. I decided to research this. I went to multiple websites and came across many interestin ideas. Most articles that I read said that the majority of people who do well in school, learn better from visual aids. What makes this so interesting, is that it just goes to show that many people have a photographic memory in a sense. I know I learn much better if I have something in front of my face that I can remember by how it looked. Reading a text about a subject is so much more difficult for me than to see a presentation on the same subject.
A thought came to my mind. Why is is that, if people learn at different rates, we have to all be together in one classroom at the same time. Online classes are the best classes that have been brought to my attention. I was lucky enough to enroll in one last summer. I am definatley not a person who enjoys history as much as I do other subjects, and an online class seemed in order. Everyday I would schedule my classwork around everything else going on in my life. This was so convenient for me. I know that I am not drawn to history, so if there was a set time of the day were I had to listen to a teacher talk about something so boring, I know I would never go to class. The online class allowed me to be free with the time I had to do other things, and when I was in the mood to learn about history, then I got to choose that time. Online classes are all around more convenient and I really dont understand why there aren't more available all the time. At the end of the summer i realized that I had learned so much more than i would ever learn if I had to actually go to the class, especially during the summer. It saved my life.

Problem Solving

Have you ever wondered if you are REALLY solving your problems, or if you are taking the wrong steps for the situation? I felt there was a need to realize ezactly the truth behind this question. I found a website that was very helpful: http://206.152.229.6/Problems/strategies.html

What is the "right" way to solve any type of problem? Here are four steps to take to look at what type of problem you have, and how to solve it:

FIND OUT

Look at the problem.
Have you seen a similar problem before?
If so, how is this problem similar?
How is it different?
What facts do you have?
What do you know that is not stated in the problem?

CHOOSE ASTRATEGY

How have you solved similar problems in the past?
What strategies do you know?
Try a strategy that seems as if it will work. If it doesn't, it may lead you to one that will.

SOLVE IT

Use the strategy you selected and work the problem.

LOOK BACK

Rethink your deicision..do you think it is a valid one?
If so..good job!!
If not..Repeat the previous steps.

I decided to use these steps for a problem of my own. Statistics 119. I have never really been good at math. I was in honors classes in high school, however i always had to ask for help. I really had to work at it to get a good grade. When i came to san diego state, I figured I would take my math classes early to get them over with. However, Stats 119 is NOT an easy class for me. Anything to do with any type of graph really messes me up. There was this one problem in the final review that I was looking at earlier today, and I could not figure it out. So when i came across this website, i decided to try it out. I went through all the steps and it honestly helped me so much. This sounds cheesy, I know, but i wanted to test it out. I now understand it is always better to take your time to think about a problem you may have, regarding how difficult or serious it is, and to really think about your decision.

The Art of Tagging

So before this class, I had no idea how important tagging is to a search. I realized it helped, but never really knew the importance of it. I was working on a project this past week, and I had to find a picture of a certain type of bird. I searched on google, and came to find there were way to many pictures of birds. Not only were there pictures of real birds, but pictures of people dressed up as birds and such. I feel that the tagging of pictures and blogs help searching for ANYTHING so much easier. I have officially decided that flickr is my new best friend. This might sound weird, I know, but honestly how much does it help?? So much I think. From here on out, there is no way I am going to search anywhere for pictures other than flickr. I believe it was a great way to help people feel less stressed when they had to find a certain type of picture for any task they had to do. I truly think that this helped technology as a whole. Not only can you tag pictures, there are many cites out there that you can tag a lot of things. Different websites, blogs, etc. Tagging is definately helpful!

Thoughts on Technology

After reading into future technology, http://www.i4u.com/article3347.html I came across something very interesting. It seems as though in Japan, there are now thoughts of vending machines that supplies Apple iPod's. The name they provided was "Gadget Slot Machine." When i think of technology in past decades, there would never be a thought that would cross my mind involving a vending machine supplying something you would buy at Best Buy or Circuit City. There have been so many improvements in technology and it seems as though this will never end. Don't get me wrong, this is a great thing for society, it just boggles my mind. Some things that have been thought of to invent, or have already been invented make no sense to me. Honestly, a vending machine with iPod's? This seems a little extreme to me. Why is it such a big deal to go to the store and buy one? Doesn't that seem more reliable? However, the location of this machine was very convenient. In the Atlanta airport in Georgia, there is now one of these machines. Just think about it, you're waiting for you plane to leave, and all you want to do is listen to music but you forgot your iPod at home. How convenient would it be to just walk through the airport to find a vending machine to solve your problem? This made a very good point as to why this would be a great idea. For those purposes only, vending machines like this would be awesome. However, if I were to walk down the street and see one, I would definately think that to be unecessary. The improvements in technology are having a large impact on our lives, and it is always a great idea for convenience when thinking about future technological oppurtunities.

Brainstorming

what did you learn today?

brainstorming is key when trying to solve problems.
visual brainstorming is more clear then just thouhts in our mind.
diaries are grea source of self venting.

how could you use any of this in our life?

when i come across a problem, i will learn to brainstorm before i take action, and while brainstorming, i will have a visual rather then just thoughts.

what from today remains unclear in your mind?

nothing