There's an App for That Update

   This week we began work on the There's an App for That project.  In this project we split into groups and work with a teacher here at Nipmuc.  We talk to the teacher and find some apps she or he may be interested in.  Then, we create a presentation to inform the teacher about using these apps in the classroom.
    My group consists of myself and Joe.  We have begun talking with Mrs. Maloney, a Spanish teacher here at Nipmuc.  We have begun to outline some apps that she might be interested in.  She teaches in a very technologically informed manor, so finding some more apps for her to integrate will be great.

Techy Teacher Tuesday: Mrs. Alibozek

    Mrs. Alibozek teaches my Honors Pre-Calculus math class.  Throughout the year she has utilized technology in her class to aid us in understanding different topics.  Right off the bat in the first week of school, we used Web Assign to test our skills with PreCalculus.  This allowed her to see what areas students were struggling with.

     We also exclusively use iPads to access our textbooks.  It is nice to not have to lug around a large textbook.  Also, I never forget my textbook because I need my iPad for all my other classes.  We also use graphing apps often to visualize what we are learning.  Overall, Mrs. Alibozek actively uses technology successfully in her classroom.

App Review: Robots for IPad

This week I downloaded an app called Robots for IPad.  This app is essentially an interactive data base about robotics.  It allows the user to browse, learn, and interact with a large data base of information about specific robots.  Each page gives information about the robot.  For example, the user can look at the cost of making the robot, history of the design and building of the robot, or information about the designer of the robot.  The app also integrates videos, pictures, and interactive 3d models of the robots.
      The app also provides general background knowledge about robotics.  The history of robots, the integration of robots, and the future of robots are discussed.  There is also an interesting article about the Uncanny Valley.  This is the area of facial structure and shape that is near human but just different enough to make it off-putting.  Over all, the app is very informative and easy to use.

This Week

This week in help desk, I and a few of my classmates helped a teacher to prepare his website and Twitter page.  Mr Clements uses a weebly web page to inform his students of homework and class information.  He was having trouble creating a new page on his website for a new class he was teaching.  He was also having trouble creating a new Twitter page because he had accidentally entered the wrong Twitter handle.  A few classmates and I went over to his classroom and helped him with these issues.

Help Desk Reflection

          The IT student help desk is known as the place at school where students and teachers alike can go to get help with their technology.  Because technology is always changing and issues occur, the resource of a trusted place to ask questions is vital.  I have found that help desk is an important part of the Nipmuc community.
          At the help desk, I have played many roles.  Due to my experience working as a technology assistant and salesperson at a popular office store, I was able to jump right in.  I have helped students access applications, connect to wifi, back up data, and learn to use new programs.  We have helped teachers with Google Forms, using Apple Tvs, and solved issues with iPads.  Each of these interactions left the "customer" with a solution.  This is one of the things that I like about help desk. It allows us to provide people with solutions to their problems, which is a rewarding thing to do.
          Help desk in its current form does provide solutions, but not for all of the visitors we recieve.  Any issue involving catalog apps or MURSD accounts cannot be solved by us.  We send these people to administrators who are often not at Nipmuc. This is a large chunk of students that ask for help that are sent away.  I think that a good change that can be made is to give help desk students more tools to help with these issues.
            Overall, help desk has been a great class. It allows me to practice customer service and solving technology issues.  It is a rewarding class and I am glad I took it.  I can't wait for the rest of the year.

The Importance of the First Follower

The importance of the first follower is often underestimated.  The first person to take part in a movement tells outsiders that it is normal to follow.  The first follower encourages others to follow as well.  Ultimately, the first follower is more important than the leader of a movement.  A single leader without a first follower is nothing.  The first person is what makes a leader's idea a movement.  A good example of this is a chant at a pep rally.  A single person shouting is not a movement. Once one person joins in everyone else sees that it is normal to chant with this group and many people join in.