7. Create a blog post about anything technology related that interests you this week.

7. Create a blog post about anything technology related that interests you this week.

Technologically, I am extremely interested in Artificial Intelligence. If you click here
you can actually talk for a good time with an artificial intelligence. What amazes me with this technology is that it is created by man, and in a way this computer has its own mind, it thinks and makes decisions based on your own responses and questions. What is more interesting is that these artificial intelligence companies are working with the makers of human "dolls" and are making walking talking thinking artificial people. It wounds like science fiction, but when will we not be able to tell man from machine? Are we creating something we eventually will not able to control? Why would we even try? Seems that the reason is to create something similar to ourselves as a way of showing our intelligence, and promote the human race. Well.. when and how does the race end? And who exactly are we racing?

#6 More Flickr Fun

More Flickr Fun, was in fact kinda fun.
The Flickr Color Pickr lets you find public photos in Flickr that match a specific color, and was interesting being able to see a color wheel and choosing different colors to find different images. Unfortunately, most of the images were not linkable, which was an interesting problem, because I can't post the ones I would like to show. Montagr I was able to create a photo mosaic from photos found on Flickr. By Clicking on individual photos which make up the larger mosaic of photos, it was quite interesting, but once again, without screen capturing I was not able to link to the photo. In this case it was because it was made in Flash.
Next was FD Toys’ Trading Card Maker, which looked cool at first, but I personally enjoy making things myself rather than using premade templates.
Overall it was interesting to find these new tools on the web.

5. Explore Flickr and learn about this popular image hosting site.

5. Explore Flickr and learn about this popular image hosting site.

I took the Flickr tour, and found out how easy it was to Upload, Edit, Organize, Share, Map, Make Stuff, Keep in Touch, and Get updates from family and friends. You can upload using the Flickr Uploader, using iPhoto, Aperture, or Windows XP plugins, from the upload web page, from email and other third-party desktop programs. Editing photos through http://www.picnik.com/ is also super easy, but I prefer Photoshop myself. You can organize photos though flickr and have your own sets depending on your personal preferences. Sharing photos is also easy through flickr, and you can set your preferences to not share, share with friends and family, or share with the world. The maps feature allows to tag photos by location, and could be used to help people know more about a particular place. Next you can make stuff through flickr, take your photos and make prints, posters, cards, photobooks, calendars, and other fun stuff. I personally use zazzle.com for making stuff, but flickr looks like they have the right idea as well. Finally you can keep in touch with family and friends through flickr and add them simliarly to a social networking site, and share photos online.

Flickr is one of many of the photo hosting, sharing, and publishing websites available today. It was nice to learn more about one I am less familiar with.

4. List your blog's location in the Blackboard discussion on this topic and begin your Learning 2.0 journey.

4. List your blog's location in the Blackboard discussion on this topic and begin your Learning 2.0 journey.

In this step of the 29 things, I have already sent the link to my professor, and if you're reading this, you already have it.

http://seanfriend331.blogspot.com

3. Set up your own blog & add your first post.

In the 3rd of 29 things, I guess I got ahead of myself..
The 3rd thing is to create and write a response to the 7 1/2 habits.
I created my blog several steps previously, named it, and gave it a template.
In my previous post (2) I already wrote a response to the 7 1/2 habits, so in this blog I will write about creating a blog.

Creating a blog is fairly simple and straight forward, and allows anyone with a computer and a keyboard to post their thoughts to the world. I believe it is a useful for tool for anyone learning or working in any particular field to be able to find others who have similar situations.

#2 Lifelong Learning & L2

In the second of the "29 things" called, "Lifelong Learning & L2" reviewed 7 1/2 Habits of Highly Successful Lifelong Learners. Through a flash presentation, it presented, how to learn, what lifelong learning is, the 7 1/2 habits, and how to create a personal learning plan. The presentation begins with learning to learn, and different examples are shown. Lifelong learning teaches how to think out of the box, and shows examples of how lifelong learners is through experience rather than "normal" ways. Successful lifelong learners are positive, open to new possibilities, and is always learning. The presentation then dives into the 7 1/2 habits, starting at habit one, says to determine your goal first. Habit two is to accept personal responsibility of your own learning, by working toward your goal through personal diligence. Habit three views problems as challenges, which encourages learning by positive thinking, and obstacles become learning opportunities. Habit four is to be confident as a competent learner, and have faith in yourself. Habit five is to create your own learning toolbox, which is the personal experiences, classes, books and other sources which the learner has been apart of. Habit six is use technology to your advantage, as technologies improve, you can be a better lifelong learner by using these technologies. Habit seven is to teach or mentor someone, reinforces learning and gives better personal experience. Habit seven and a half is to play, playing allows for curiosity and helps for better learning. Finally the presentation goes over the learning contract, which is a tool for better learning. Setting your goal, considering the obstacles, looking at your tools and resources, set a path to your goal, check-in and sign the goal contract as a way for lifelong learning.
I found the presentation very informative and interesting, I will try the goal contract in the future as I continue to lifelong learn.

#1 Discovery has never been so much fun

The introduction to learning Web 2.0, simply put engages me, the user into learning about the web is changing to a more open interface which anyone can learn and modify themselves. The podcast provides a precise view of what the program will be about, and how I will "play" in order to make new discoveries.