Tagging

When I first read this week's assignment about tagging, my first thought was of the popular website, Facebook. Users tag photographs all the time from other users' profiles and place them in their own profile. So it is highly ironic that, a Facebook tagger myself, had not a clue what the tagging in this week's assignment was about. At first the process almost seemed like plagiarism (except that it was approved by a teacher!), with taking a website and all. When you tag a picture from a friend's Facebook page, aren't you taking someone else's work? But then, of course, appropriate credit is given. All in all, tagging is a very efficient and simple way of finding more information on topics.

Definition of Tagging
Wikipedia's definition of tagging; offers links to other websites associated with tagging.

Information on Tagging
PDF report on tagging; great statistics on tagging.

The Art of Tagging
Definition and examples of tagging.

Communication and the Challenger tragedy

Communication is fundamental in every aspect of life, from relationships to employments. Many disasters throughout history have been the result of incompetent communication. One of the saddest examples of this is the Challenger tragedy that occurred on January 28, 1986. A faulty O-ring ended the lives of seven brave men and women. Pressure from outside sources pushed the launching, and I am a firm believer that if the researches would have taken the news of the O-ring and announced it to the public, the seven heroes would be with us now, telling us what it is like to be in outer space.

Technology + education = success?

Every year, technology is becoming more and more advanced. From online classes to PowerPoint presentations, technology has pushed itself into the classroom. I believe that technology is helpful and beneficial in many ways.
This is my fourth class to take online and I think technology in education is extremely helpful in many ways. Everything a student needs, from the syllabus to directions, is right at one's fingertips. There is no need to worry about losing papers because it is all easily stored in the computer. Students who have some difficulty talking to a professor face-to-face can breathe a little easier knowing they can still ask their questions through e-mail, thus preventing any embarrassment. Students who might be forgetful at writing down assignment or quiz due dates can simply click a button and find every due date until the end of the semester. There is also an advantage with an 11:55 pm deadline; instead of rushing to prepare assignments for an 8:00 am class, students have leisure time and can space their homework apart that fits their schedule. Then, of course, there is the enormous blessing of not having to drive an hour to get to class. It saves money on gas, as well as gives me more time to spend studying.
However, I do have one problem with online classes. Each of the four classes are extremely different (and sometimes complicated) to use and get used to. Another problem may arise with students prone to procrastination. Just because it is an online class and the deadline is so late doesn't mean the assignments are any less challenging than those given by a professor in a classroom. It is very, very easy to fall behind.
Technology in the classroom is also something I see as beneficial. Teachers can use programs such as PowerPoint or even go on the internet from a projector to show detailed examples of literally anything.
There are a few potential problems that could go hand in hand with technology in a classroom. Professors must know exactly what they are doing, or else they may just end up confusing already confused college students. If every student is given a laptop, those guilty of wandering attention spans must be careful with sites like MySpace and Facebook. Checking out a friend's page might lead to missing important class information.
All in all, I believe technology in education is constructive and convenient.