July 30, 2011 - Last night I took my final for CTE 444. This blog is a part of that class so I am now faced with the question of whether I want to continue using this blog. We shall see. The class was great. I learned how to make a movie, how to do some editing, use special programs to create a better teaching environment. It's a part of my life's road trip.
Don't we all ask ourselves during our life, "Have I made a difference to the world? Have I accomplished anything worthwhile?" Some people despair over that question; others just shrug their shoulders and say, "Nothing I can do about it, so why worry?" Me --- I think that we all contribute (positive or negative) to the world - as long as we keep the "world" in perspective. Instead of thinking it in terms of being famous world-wide whether as a celebrity or a scientist or politician - we need to stop and think about the world around us, personally.
Have I made a positive difference in the lives of my spouse, my children, my family and my friends? Have I contributed to the bettering of my community, my church...and ultimately, have I done all I can for God?
The final outcome is actually out of our hands. We're born, we grow, we live .. we die. Belief in God makes all the difference, to me anyway. That's all for tonight. My decision concerning this blog will determine if there are anymore to share.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
A Web Tool I Love
Wikipedia - yes, I love this tool. When I became an instructor for the USAF, I thought I would be teaching my expertise...i.e. radars. That surprisingly, was not the case. I found myself tossed into the networking world - network assurance, network addressing (class-full and class-less), subnetting, etc. Then I was also handed the additional area of technology called multiplexing - and there's a plethora of aspects in that area as well.
Where to go to find this? Well, I did what many people do - I "Googled" the topics I needed and invariably at the top of the list would be Wikipedia. I'd not used it before so took a chance. Was I pleasantly surprised.
I am a knowledge junkie. It started when I was a child and I would sit on the floor next to the book shelf and read the Encyclopedia Britannica. I need to know things, I need to learn. Wikipedia gives me the knowledge I need to do my job. One nice feature of Wikipedia pages is that there are additional links outside of their site that leads to more knowledge. For instance, if I type in "Cicsco Routers" in Wikipedia, it will have an article about it, then a link to Cisco itself. That's just one example.
This is a tool that I use everytime I need knowledge and it's usually just the tip of the iceberg. If you've not done it - check it out for yourself. Here's the link! Wikipedia
Where to go to find this? Well, I did what many people do - I "Googled" the topics I needed and invariably at the top of the list would be Wikipedia. I'd not used it before so took a chance. Was I pleasantly surprised.
I am a knowledge junkie. It started when I was a child and I would sit on the floor next to the book shelf and read the Encyclopedia Britannica. I need to know things, I need to learn. Wikipedia gives me the knowledge I need to do my job. One nice feature of Wikipedia pages is that there are additional links outside of their site that leads to more knowledge. For instance, if I type in "Cicsco Routers" in Wikipedia, it will have an article about it, then a link to Cisco itself. That's just one example.
This is a tool that I use everytime I need knowledge and it's usually just the tip of the iceberg. If you've not done it - check it out for yourself. Here's the link! Wikipedia
Ethics in Technology
Just in contemplating the title, the first thought that comes to mind is that technology itself is just a tool - incapable of possessing morals or ethical qualities. Obviously when discussing technological ethics it's about what humans do with technology. In developing a technology itself certain moral questions come to mind: How is it to be made and developed? How is it to be used? Does this technology help others or does it hinder? Does this technology develop individuality or does it threaten it?
As an instructor in computers and networking these are questions I face when discussing communications security, specifically network security. Computers are a wonderful device if used in a thoughtful, positive and innovative way - even used for amusement.
But they can also be destructive in nature. For instance, there are in the network community people that are called hackers. These individuals take code and create viruses, Trojans and worms - all malicious tools that are used to invade other computers - individual, corporate, government and military. As a former military man and now a government civilian employee these are things I have had to deal with on a personal level.
At the time of this writing, we are a nation at war. This war is not just about guns, bombs and bullets but about ideologies, thoughts and beliefs that culminate in violence and death of innocents. The way that these ideologies and beliefs are spread are through the use of computers, websites and blogs that are developed to entice and deceive others to an extreme way of thinking.
A person can argue that this is about freedom of choice and a matter of perspective of what is ethically right or wrong in this war of thought. I admit that it is about freedom of choice - but when a technological tool is used that does not enhance human growth but its destruction; when it is used to spread beliefs that enslave women and children (such as the Taliban have in Afghanistan) - then the moral ethics involved are clearly in the wrong.
In our country, we are to hold ourselves to a higher ethic in using this technology. Yes, we use computers and networks in our fight but we is it in defense of what we believe is freedom and liberty. May we not lose sight of that higher calling.
As an instructor in computers and networking these are questions I face when discussing communications security, specifically network security. Computers are a wonderful device if used in a thoughtful, positive and innovative way - even used for amusement.
But they can also be destructive in nature. For instance, there are in the network community people that are called hackers. These individuals take code and create viruses, Trojans and worms - all malicious tools that are used to invade other computers - individual, corporate, government and military. As a former military man and now a government civilian employee these are things I have had to deal with on a personal level.
At the time of this writing, we are a nation at war. This war is not just about guns, bombs and bullets but about ideologies, thoughts and beliefs that culminate in violence and death of innocents. The way that these ideologies and beliefs are spread are through the use of computers, websites and blogs that are developed to entice and deceive others to an extreme way of thinking.
A person can argue that this is about freedom of choice and a matter of perspective of what is ethically right or wrong in this war of thought. I admit that it is about freedom of choice - but when a technological tool is used that does not enhance human growth but its destruction; when it is used to spread beliefs that enslave women and children (such as the Taliban have in Afghanistan) - then the moral ethics involved are clearly in the wrong.
In our country, we are to hold ourselves to a higher ethic in using this technology. Yes, we use computers and networks in our fight but we is it in defense of what we believe is freedom and liberty. May we not lose sight of that higher calling.
Concept maps
While taking this course on Career Technology Education I was introduced to concept mapping as a planning tool. I found it rather fascinating. It's like putting your very thoughts and ideas out into the open - visually vice using words. The printed word is the only way I've ever really considered using in making a plan. This new idea for me I discovered to be self-educating and something I will use in the future as the occasion arises. It gives a visual representation of an outline only not as rigid plus you can put interesting pictures, different graphics and even place links to sites online for a student to pursue an even deeper understanding of a subject.
I have a couple of pictures of my concept maps to share. One is the plan map and the other is the lesson map. Unfortunately these are not real classes to teach because I do love horseback riding, which was the concept map I chose.
I have a couple of pictures of my concept maps to share. One is the plan map and the other is the lesson map. Unfortunately these are not real classes to teach because I do love horseback riding, which was the concept map I chose.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
This is a project I made for William Carey University. I'm aiming for a B.S. in Career Technology Education. I made this a serious video. It's a reflection of who I am. God and nature go together but sometimes we can't go out into nature to find solace. There are times when we have to drop to our knees and find peace with God right then and there - no matter where we are or our circumstances. He is our River of Solace...the Everlasting Water that has no end and washes our sins, our mistakes and worries out to sea -- far, far away from us. It's not about a church or a religion - it's about a person, a mortal, going straight to the throne of heaven and seeking God and His never-ending love for humanity. No matter how dark, He'll bring light to us all.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Long Days, Short Nights (or long nights depending on your point of view)
Here it is - another post that's indicative of the phrase "few and far between". I am not too good at blogging apparently. Much has been happening on this Road Trip. At this time in our country, our leaders in Congress and the White House can't seem to agree on how to get a budget together. Depending on their philosophy, some want to just spend more, tax more (Democrats and Liberals - the same thing). The others are like my own household - spend less, don't go over budget...
The only reason I mention this is because it may affect my employement. I am a federal employee and if Congress and the Prez can't get it worked out, I may just not be going to work for a few days in the near future. We'll see.
More to come...
The only reason I mention this is because it may affect my employement. I am a federal employee and if Congress and the Prez can't get it worked out, I may just not be going to work for a few days in the near future. We'll see.
More to come...
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