Week+1

= Week 1 =

1) Course Outline 2) Student Introductions 3) Course Website Introduction and Exploration
 * Class Agenda:**

Reading:
This week's reading causes me to think about my own undergraduate degree and how technology has had an influence on it. My undergraduate degree was in geography, and during my four years I took quite a few courses in GIS and Geospatial Analysis. During these courses, we created a number of maps, all of which were computer generated. During the 21st century, these computer generated maps are being favored over the more traditional cartographic maps and designs. I believe that digitized maps are more effective in both portraying information as well as their ease at which analysis can be carried out. Maps are even now being stored on the computer and not printed, so that an individual can just call up the desired map, preform the designated analysis and interpret the results all without ever touching a single piece of paper. Though this is a more environmentally friendly approach to cartographic design, I feel that holding a hard copy version of a map is at times a much more effective means in which spatial analysis can be carried out and geographic information can be generated.

For a copy of the course reading entitled "Understanding Digital Kids" by Jukes, McCain and Crockett click the following link: This weeks reading was entitled "Understanding Digital Kids: Teaching and Learning in the New Digital Landscape" by Jukes, McCain and Crockett. For summary notes and minor conclusions on the reading, click the following PDF file.

Connecting Video:
In consideration of this weeks topic and theme, this video expands the notion that society as a whole is becoming increasingly digitized. In relation to the reading, it could be understood that as technology progresses, a greater number of DFL speakers are being "born".

Technology of the Week: Wiki's
Wiki's Wiki's are online databases that are an extremely efficient method for presenting information that can be viewed and edited by others. This group communication method is a way in which users can both keep in touch and remain updated on information. They are usually fairly easy to compose and even nontechnical individuals, such as the those who speak DSL, can learn production methods with relative ease.

Wiki's and Education:
As an educational tool, I believe that Wiki's are a device that allow for students to voice opinions, share thoughts and transfer skills. By creating the online database, students are able to develop content in a comfortable environment which can be accessed at any time. This can also be developed and used as an organizational tool where ideas and notions can be formulated. This tool is useful because it brings an approach used in the past (database development) and brings it forth into the present day digital realm.