Currently we are in the middle of a course entitled Computer Systems: How They work. Our blog assignment this week was to discuss the overall content of the course and determine how it connects to us, and how it will be useful in the future.
Overall I found the course to be very informative. Some of it was review based on my past experience, and some of it was looking at computer components in a new way. The videos definitely give a great historical perspective for the class. The review of components and security is useful in helping the class to think about the technical foundation that they will need to have to deliver online learning. Especially for people who have not delved into the details of computers, this information will arm them with the details they need to use computers as tools for Instructional Computing.
One suggestion I would make for improve the course however, is to add a final assignment that applies this knowledge to a learning environment. For example, instead of just building the perfect computer, have the class outfit a lab that will be used in a school to deliver online classes. What are all of the things that you should consider? What about security? We mentioned this in one class discussion by talking about a student who could walk into a lab with a Linux live boot CD, and start a computer in an unprotected state. How would we protect against this? What other situations should we prepare for? I am sure with all of the educational experience in the class we have some terrific stories of students and their pranks. Adding those to the class might help to tie it into the overall theme of Instructional Computing. Plus it would be fun to hear the stories.
The second part of the blog was to discuss the what might happen if an unnamed sinister force were disrupt all of the computers in our lives. Having already have my car stop working because the internal computer malfunctioned, I can only imagine the havoc that would be unleashed if all of these systems failed at once. This is one area where I think the class material was very relevant. We should always be prepared for computer outages, both professionally and personally. This includes making backups, protecting against viruses, using strong passwords and security, and keeping up to date with patches. Using computers as the delivery tool for online instruction has benefits, but it definitely comes with some risks as well.
John - Isn't it amazing how much we rely on technology? Most of us never really think about what we would do if we were without a car for a few days. But can you imagine if you were without computers for one day? I think about that since I am in an area that uses the computers regularly, yet somehow I never prepare for it. I think most people would have a harsh reality to deal with if microprocessors failed.
ReplyDeleteWhen reading over your blog, I think that having a final project might be a good idea. However, when I got to the last assignment of making a computer, I was happy that I was getting to the end of the class. This class was tough for me because I have not prior experience with the internal workings of a computer. However, I agree with you when you say that this class really helped to prepare us for our computers to crash. You truly never know when this will happen, so you need to always be prepared.
ReplyDeleteI really like the videos. I found it very interesting and insightful. Imagine if Steve Jobs wasn't a key player and Xerox was? Or some the earlier players made it big - I wonder how different computers would be. I was amazed how many free antivirus programs there are. That assignment has been very useful to me. Computers and technology are everywhere. We really do need to protect ourselves as much as we can.
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