EPortfolio

• • I think that in creating an ePortfolio, I will be able to use it for professional exposure. I have always liked the idea of being able to have a sense of social media that can be used purely for professional purposes. In knowing exactly how the internet can misconstrue information, having a portfolio allows for individuals to monitor exactly what goes onto their website, and who can see it.

    In the workforce especially, people are constantly updating their professional resumes and adding into the newer material showcasing both their achievements and applications. In having an eportfolio, students can both submit paper resumes and submit links to their eportfolios so that managers and administration can view their progress and capabilities.

    I believe that implementing eportfolios into younger classes wont have as much of an impact as implementing it into the curricula of 7-12 classes. I know that in my highschool we had folders that were in a sense our “portfolios.” Every year we were to add work and essays into that exemplified our best work and they were passed to our next years teachers to do the same. At graduation, we were able to take home our folders and use those assignments as exemplars or inspiration for future pieces of work. I think that in k-6, this would be a better strategy than having these younger kids create e-portfolios themselves when they have less mature pieces of work, this is also practice for them in learning how to create resumes.

Social Media????

In this day and age, we have seen a boom in science. The “technological age” we are growing in is specifically known for the internet. This milestone has seen many big names like: YouTube, Amazon, Ebay, Google, Bing, and Yahoo. Recently however, the internet craze that has both teens and adults using more internet now than ever has to do with this concept probably most popularly recognized when Tom Anderson invented MySpace. The social media site found ways to connect people and personalize a page where people could simply get to know you.

This was the beginning of an era that sprung different ways to socialize: Instagram (via pictures/comments), Facebook (pictures/games/group chats), Twitter (constant updates), Tumblr (blogging).

Like everything with good, there is some bad about social media. Any criticism presented in Clay Shirky’s lecture about social media also had its upside. Cyberbullying and CyberStalking has been one of the largest reasons for people trying to put an end to social media, however– it has also brought many people together. In my own personal experience, I have been able to stay in contact with several friends that either moved out of state, or went to different colleges up and down the coast. I am able to comment, share, and view different pictures of their experiences and have enjoyed seeing their lives flourish wherever they’ve planted their roots.

I’ve also used it to my academic advantage, I have been able to keep in contact with several professors, peers, and colleagues throughout school as well as conduct several projects with the use of social media and about social media.

I  know for a fact, I plan to continue to use social media as I grow. As far as social media used in education, I believe that the internet can be used without using social media. Social media incorporates a very personal touch, and I believe there should always be a barrier between the teacher and students. Media sites that do not incorporate the use of such personal information I am ALL for. There have been plenty of sites that I have found to be of use in the classroom as learning tools, but in looking at the way that others use sites like Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, etc. I do not believe the use is educational whatsoever.

Cloudware

Cloudware is data that is built, deployed, delivered via one big remote server to any device. Essentially, it delivers data with the help of some software on the internet. Some forms of cloud ware you might be more familiar with are Google, the Apple App Store, and Yahoo Finances. Cloudware is used to deliver all of these services to us as technology users.

Cloudware in most cases allows us to simply subscribe to an application rather than download or purchase it.

For example, google is used on a daily basis to deliver information, store files, and transmit data, but we never download google onto our laptops, we simply use the search engine and online cloud to create slides, manage documents, share pictures, send e-mails, etc.

In my experience, cloudware has been an immense help to me. I use google daily and for EVERYTHING. Most of my files are shared online with groups in different classes or colleagues. Due to the fact that cloudware is even possible, I am able to edit other people’s files, access them, and/or share. Now- I know this almost sounds sketchy but cloudware also has a series of security systems. Bots and Viruses aren’t usually found in the popular pages that come up in Google, Yahoo, etc. (unless you look for them). You can also ONLY share files with your permission.

That is not to say cloudware is a perfect form of internet security, recently, there have been issues with forms of cloudware that have allowed for hackers to break into important data sites like credit bureaus. However, with the help of internet geniuses, and firewalls, the FBI is doing all they can to ensure that Cloudware remains a safe internet environment for all its users.

Recently they have come up with these tips to ensure that we do our part in keeping cloudware safe:

“Here are some tips from IC3 to help protect against CryptoWall:

• Use a firewall and antivirus software from a reputable company and allow automatic updates.
• Use popup blockers.
• Back up your device’s content elsewhere.
• Don’t click on emails or attachments from sources you don’t recognize, and stay away from sketchy websites.
• Immediately disconnect from the Internet when alerted to an infection on a device.”