Newscast Blog Posting

By: Brandon Muller, Rosalie Cimmillo, Tim Latif, and Arber Hasangjekaj

Web 2.0: Do Now 12/15

          Things that ignite my desire to help make this world a better place include anything I see that seems not fair or there is something that makes me feel sad. For example, when I see animal being mistreated or when I see a commercial about animal abuse, it makes me sad. That makes want to do something about it, like raise awareness and make money supporting a cause that helps abused animals. My life goals can also contribute to the community as well as my own needs by making it a win-win situation. For example, a life goal of mine could be to help out at least one cause to anything. By supporting that cause, it fulfills my goal as well as support the cause that I am helping out. It is a win-win situation.      

Blog-Post Assessment

          My favorite restaurant would have to be TGI Fridays. It is located along Route 17 South in Wood-Ridge, New Jersey. They pretty much serve meat, specifically steak, as well as anything else. They can serve mashed potatoes, salad and anything to your preference. They also serve delicious desserts that are awesome. Some desserts include Oreo Ice Cream Sand-which and the usually ice cream sundae.

          My favorite dish from the restaurant is the Oreo Ice Cream Sand-which as well as the Rib-Eye medium done steak. I don't know much about the history of the restaurant. All I know that it is a fast food chain that is commercially owned. It was created on March 15, 1965 in New York City. The founder was Daniel R. Scoggin.

          This is my favorite restaurant because of the atmosphere and environment. It just seems so family friendly and could create memories among families. If the restaurant closed down, I guess I could go to IHOP or Sonic, but it would not be the same. I will forever love TGI Fridays and their food. I usually go their twice or once a month.

          Click here to go the official TGI Fridays website. Click here to see the food menu of the US TGI Fridays food menu. Finally, click here to see their wine and drink menu, of course for adults only. The food they have there is amazing. I highly recommend it to my family and friends.

 

RSS Feeds Project Responses

1. Why did you select the sites you subscribed to?

I picked these sites because I love sports of all kinds, and I like to be informed of all different kinds of news sources whether it be around the world, restricted for the US, or from CNN or ABC. It does not matter to me where I get my news from or my sports info from.

2. Was it easy to find feeds and to subscribe to them?

It was difficult, actually. Sometimes it would be easy like right at the top right corner. Othertimes, it would be all the way to the bottom of the page and scroll, which is a hassle. It would not even be on the page and I had to type "rss" into the page's search engine. It was just annoying and difficult to find in general.

3. Which sites were your favorites?

If I had to pick a favorite, most likely ESPN.com and NBA.com were my favorite sites to look at and read. I just love sports, specifically basketball.

4. What else can you use RSS feeds for?

RSS feeds can be used for a variety of ways. You can use it as a shortcut to find info on certain topic. You can use it as a possible source for an essay since you are still researching on a topic. Finally, you can use it as a message to let your friends know on news if they did not know about it yet.

5. How likely are you to continue to use RSS feeds in the future?

For me, not very likely. I know it is a form of a shortcut, but it takes just as long to find what I am searching for by using the search engine as it is to even find the RSS icon, let alone copying and pasting into the digg reader. By the time I do that, I would have already found what I have been looking for.   

Tech Article 12/5

The Olympus E-PL7: The Best Available Camera

This is what the E-PL7 Camera looks like. Personally,
I like the design and the old retro look it brings.

• The current price is $599.00
• Has great high notes like with its flexible display and its great set of controls
• However, it is not recommended for rookies due to its complexity
• Replaces the 2-year old PEN E-PL5 model
• Of course, it has newer technology
• Some enhancements that were added to this model include: an updated autofocus system and imaging engine, a better LCD that flips down, and much more
• The size of the lens in the US alone is 14-42 mm collapsible lens (an available kit)
• The only colors available are the black and silver models
• Use the same sensor and image processing as the E-M10 camera
• The test photos taken looked degraded and blurry a little bit
• The video quality to the CNET testers seemed average
• When testing the performance, they saw that the power on and focus times were decent
• It has that retro, two-tone look according to CNET
• There are two control dials: the mode dial and the adjustment dial
• They are next to each other, which will take some time to get the hang of
• Overall, it is a great camera with a better performance and photo quality comparing with other cameras of the same price
• CNET's article that I got the information from can be found here 

Web 2.0: Do Now Writing Prompt

          If I were a teacher in this school, I would add an astronomy class in this school. The class would meet during the 2nd semester, specifically the 3rd marking period. This would most likely be an elective course for grades 9 through 12. The students would learn about the 8 main planets in our solar system. They would also learn about different constellations as well as what it takes to be an astronaut. 

          The room would look like if they were in a shuttle. It would feel like they were on a rocket in the deep part of space with the windows looking just like stars in space. The things the students would do to show or demonstrate their learning is by doing a project once every two weeks. They will get into groups of 3 people and they would do a presentation on a planet or constellation. They would have to describe the said planet or constellation in great detail.   

Tech Article 11/21

Super Smash Bros for the Wii U Review

One of the promotional posters that you can buy for
your room or anywhere. I like the expanded roster
they have this year, including Little Mac and Mega Man. 

• The game costs $59.96
• Introduces a multiplayer of up to eight people, the highest of any of the Smash Bros games in the series
• There are many modes to play
• However, the tutorial, according to reviewers, is too short and leaves the player at a lost
• Super Smash Bros is a series of games containing many Nintendo characters
• These Nintendo characters fight each other until one is left standing
• This also came out for the 3DS a month ago, but was hard to control the characters
• However, it is not hard to control with the Wii U
• Found it's Pro Controller the easist to handle with
• Nintendo is selling a Game Cube adapter for the Wii U, however, for $30
• The three things that make the game experience better for the Wii U instead of the 3DS is the fact that it had better control, the screen size and detail, as well as the fact that there is an eight-man multiplayer feature
• Makes a great present for all ages of any gender
• A very difficult game to master
• With barely a tutorial, you are off on your own with only button mashing to get you so far
• You can get what looks like figurines that come with the game that serve no purpose but to store game data, but dosen't save the game 
• They are most likely for promotion purposes; they are just for show
• They are expensive, though: $13 for one figurine 
• In conclusion, I think this game will be a hit when it hits gaming stores in the USA on November 21, 2014
• The reference article link is located here

Wiki Dissection & S.S.

1. What is the purpose of this Wiki?

      The purpose of this wiki is to inform disruptive technology in the classroom.

     2. When was the last post?

      The last post was on November 7, 2007.

     3. How was this Wiki created?

     This Wiki was created by using Wikispaces.

     4. What would you add to it?

     We would add more information regarding disruptive technologies in the classroom. For example, phones are disruptive in classrooms. They get taken away in classrooms everyday.

     5. What did you learn from it?

     We learned that there are different forms of disruptive technologies that disrupt or interrupt classroom lessons.

     6. If you had to create a Wiki with a team, what would be the specific topic(s)?

     We would create a wiki all about basketball, baseball, and football stats and the history of each sport.

     7. How can Wikis be used in the classroom or in education?

     We can use a wiki to put notes of a lesson that we just learned and use those notes on an upcoming test or quiz.  

  

Tech Article 11/14

Microsoft's First Smartphone: Microsoft Lumia 535

These are the new phones Microsoft is creating this year.
No plans for the USA, but I think
 it will be a hit

• Microsoft gets rid of its Nokia phones and makes new Microsoft brand phones
• Has a quad-core 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor  
• Has a 5-inch 960x540-pixel display
• Runs on Windows 8.1
• While although Microsoft plans to release the phone in developing countries between now and January, they actually have no plans for a US release
• It's a "sequel" to the old Lumia 530
• It runs just like the Lumia 530, but now looks just looks bigger and slimmer
• At 9.4mm thick, people like how comfortable it feels when they hold the phone for the first time
• For now it only comes in bright green, blue, orange, dark grey, black and white 
• This new phone comes with front and rear 5-megapixel cameras
• Has 1GB of RAM, 8GB of actual storage in the phone, as well as a microSD card slot that can hold up to 128GB cards
• Powered by a 1,905mAh battery and has 2 SIM-card slots
• The slots will support 3G connectivity
• Unfortunately, it doesn't have 4G LTE
• It costs $135.00
• To see the article where I got this information, click here

Web 2.0: Wiki Research

1. How can a wiki be used in a current class on your schedule (not this course)? Pick a class and be specific how the class could create and use a Wiki on a regular basis (tip: Use the Internet, here is a good source).

A wiki can be used in my US History I class by creating presentations. We have presentations once every month. Our class can create a wiki and put all of our group presentations on that wiki instead of using Google Drive and using the presentation app. That way everything is in one place and people don't have to log in and get their presentation every single time. 

2. What are the benefits of using a wiki in class?

Some benefits of using a wiki are creating better presentations, creating nice glossaries, making a study guide, and students can share notes so that people can understand the lesson better.

3. How can we create a wiki in this class, what would we contribute to it and how would we utilize it on an on-going basis?

We can create a wiki by using the website Wikispaces.com and we can contribute anything that's educational, specifically notes and maybe any projects that the teacher would assign. We could utilize it on an on-going basis by checking back on it and reference it to anything we learn. For example, we could put notes of a lesson on our wiki and we could study off it for an up and coming test or quiz.

4. What experience do you have using or creating wikis?

I have never created or contributed to a wiki. But, I have used one. I have some good experience in using a wiki. I would use it to get background information for an essay I would write. However, I would never use it as my only source; I would dig deeper for info. I would also use it for anything I have a question on. If I wanted to know who Lebron James is and his career stats, then a wiki is where I would go first.    
    

My Upcoming Vacation

          Over the summer in July 2015, I will be going to Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts. There, I will be participating in a Leadership in Action program. I will be dorm at the university with people all over the US. I think it will be a nice experience that will also be an once-in-a-lifetime one. I will staying in Boston for a week seeing the sights of Boston and also taking a tour of the university. 

Click here for detailed information on this awesome trip!

Tech Article 10/24

Early Payment Glitches Ruin Apple Pay's Recent Launch

Apple Pay is a new service that has its bugs,
but it will pull through

• There are bugs in the system of Apple Pay
• For example, people using Apple Pay may be double charged on a payment accidentally 
• In-app purchases aren't doing well either
• Apple Pay launched when both the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus came out
• Apple Pay is told to be a simpler way to purchase things
• You must be near a payment terminal and both the phone and terminal must have a NFC chip (near-field communication)
• This limits the in-store service availability (NFC chip)
• If you can't get the NFC chip, you can pay with the touch of a finger (fingerprint scan)
• Saves people time putting in credit card information over and over again
• The doubled charge problem is not Apple's, but the bank's technology at the time
• Apple will help banks cancel the duplicate charges for customers
• There are less than 20 terminals with this NFC chip
• Apple can work with companies like Staples and Target 

 http://www.cnet.com/news/early-payment-glitches-mar-apple-pay-launch/

Tech Article 10/10

Google Releases New Weather App 

These are the different pages you can go
on the Google News App

• New weather app from Google for iOS
• Besides weather, you can see different topics such as World News, Sports, and Health
• Of course, it will show the temperatures as well as today's and the future forecasts
• You can also see other news reports by tapping any news headline
• App provides news coverage of over 65,000 different publications
• If you want news and weather from a specific location, just type it in the search engine and it will come up
• It was previously only available for Android phones
• Has 60 different country versions
• Other companies such as Yahoo and Microsoft do have their own news apps as well
• "An easy to use app" is what the reviewer had said in his closing statement
• Today, it is still available for Android users at the Google Play Store 

http://www.cnet.com/news/google-releases-news-weather-app-for-ios/

Tech Article 10/3

Apple's New iPad is in Gold

• There is a new color coming out for the new iPad coming out this month; Gold!
• The new iPad's length is 9.7 inches
• The face of the iPad will be white
• There are rumors going around that not only have they been working on these 6th generation iPads, but...
• It's also rumored that there will not be any design changes and that it will include the A8 processor
• With the creation of the "Golden iPad," the new iPads will be matched with its latest phones as well
• The 5S, 6, and 6 Plus all come in gold, black, and silver, just like the iPads
• Several other companies, including LG, are all jumping this "Gold Bandwagon"
• It's also revealed that the 7th generation iPads will come out next year, reported to have a whopping 12.9 inch screen 

http://www.cnet.com/news/apples-ipad-set-to-go-gold-later-this-month-report-says/

Do Now 9/29

          An editorial is a type of blog that pretty much talks about the opinion of the author about a specific topic. This article is about Wikipedia and its aspects about how people use it for everyday information. The opinion is from the author who wrote it: Bruce Maiman. He thinks that it is a great way to start researching on a topic. He states that over 500 million people use Wikipedia every single month.

          My teachers told me that Wikipedia is not a reliable source. They say that since anyone can revise any article they want, that they may give false information. They said that I can't use Wikipedia as a source. As stated before, they said that it could be wrong information. However, I never really asked why we can't use Wikipedia.

          After reading the article, my thoughts have never changed. I always liked using Wikipedia as a source for stuff that I have never learned about. After all, the author stated that even Ivy League schools used Wikipedia here and there. I just love using Wikipedia. Most of the time, it's never false and it wouldn't be a bad idea to use it as a source on writing a paper or looking up quick facts.  

Tech Article 9/26

The iPhone 6 is the New Gaming Handheld

• The new iPhones and iPads have better graphics and bigger screens
• Have better processors with the new A8 processor
• Should bring better looking games than previous models
• Look better because screens are bigger
• 3DS XL has a physically bigger display and sold more copies than 3DS
• Shows that size does matter
• iPhones do it better with a bigger display and resolution than the 3DS XL
• Most people said that the iPhone 6 and 6 plus fell like a large iPod Touch
• The thinness of the phones makes it easier to hold
• The large phone is easier to hold in landscape mode with fewer hard edges and buttons are close to the edge of the screen
• It's smaller than Playstation Vita and Nintendo 3DS
• The tester rated the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus- 4 out of 5 stars  

http://www.cnet.com/news/can-the-iphone-6-replace-your-gaming-handheld/ 

Tech Article 9/19

The Sound Bar of the Century

• New kind of sound bar
• It is the Paradigm Soundscape sound bar
• It weighs 20 pounds and its dimensions are 5.5 by 42 by 5 inches
• The tester said it was bass heavy
• The tester stated that he has seen worse, meaning that it's terrible
• He expected a better and easier read menu from a very pricy bar ($1274)
• More powerful than any subwooferless bar
• A subwoofer is the speaker itself 
• Has great sound quality and beats out the new Klipsch R10-B
• Any audiophile would love this; I think it's great too

Paradigm Soundscape Article

Web 2.0: Multimedia Blog Pre-Posting

                                                    Web 2.0: Multimedia Blog Pre-Posting

          The teacher that I will be writing about is Mrs.Gaven. She teaches US History I for my class. She is right across from Ms. Garvin's room upstairs. I think she is married and I don't believe she has any kids. The things I expected to learn from her class were to know about the Constitution. I also thought I would learn about the US Presidents.

          So far the only thing I learned so far is part of the Constitution. The first three articles about the Constitution to be exact. Her grading policy is 80% for tests and quiz combined. It is 20% for homework and classwork combined as well. An interesting aspect about her class is the way she teaches. She always gets the people involved in her class. 

          The way she uses technology is by PowerPoint. She uses PowerPoint as a notes reference that we copy off from a skeleton notes sheet. We just fill in the words that are missing. We just got Chromebooks and we will be using them tomorrow. I think she is a great teacher. She always knows how to be interactive with us and the lessons.         

          

http://wood-ridge.schoolwires.net/Page/734 (Her Homepage)

http://wood-ridge.schoolwires.net/Page/1986 (Her Course Expectations)

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bO7FQsCcbD8  (Constitution Video)                                                                                        

Educational Technology and Copyright Law

Educational Technology and Copyright Law

The things that I learned from this article is that a copyright is an US law that states that it can protect "works of authorship." Also, all work is most likely immediately copyrighted. Once you have a copyright, you have four rights. Those rights are: reproduce the copyrighted work, display the copyrighted work publicly, prepare derivative works based on the copyrighted work, and distribute copies of the copyrighted work to the public by sale, rental or lending, and/or to display the image. There are also such things as fair use and licensed images. With licensed images, you can either use the image following the license or don't use it at all. That is what I learned in this article. 

Tech Article 9/12

Microsoft plans to get rid of Nokia and Windows Phones

• The company Microsoft wants to no longer create the Nokia and Window Phone brand
• The news about this came from a leaked posting by a tech blog called GeeksOnGadgets
• This isn't a shock because in April 2014, Stephen Elop (former CEO of Nokia) stated, "Doesn't see the Nokia name sticking around for long at Microsoft."
• This is kind of a quick decision to me because Microsoft just bought Nokia for $7.2 billion in April 2014 as well
• However, they will still plan to use Nokia to help promote Microsoft's Windows Phone mobile operating system