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2008-11-18 15:51:50 Experience Of E-Learning: Day 3

STUDY: In an ideal world, how might technology of the future support your learning?

Hehehe! This is a fantastic question to ask a geek. I could go on about eidetic memory and mnemonics. Being able to learn new skills on the fly similar to the Matrix would be a dream come true. I could quote numerous references in science fiction where educational implants are used to enhance a character's learning. I won't though.

What I think is meant by this question is what current or emerging technology might help my learning. The answer to this is video. A YouTube video of the lectures would be fantastic. It would allow me to go back and check my notes against what was actually said during the lecture and make additional notes as needed.

2008-11-18 15:04:48 Experiences Of E-Learning: Day 2

STUDY: Think about the module that is best supported by Blackboard and describe why it is effective.

The module best supported by Blackboard is Data Warehousing and Data Mining. All the lecture slides and the tutorial notes are on Blackboard making it very easy to refer to them at any time during the week.

This lets you go over things in your own time and at your own pace, solidifying the teaching in your own mind.

2008-11-18 14:31:20 Experiences Of E-Learning: Day 1 - Part 2

STUDY:Imagine a world with no technology. How Would your learning experience be different and why?

Wow, what a question... if I am truly honest I think a world without technology would be like pre-history. Things we take for granted like electricity and modern farming wouldn't exist. It would be impossible for society as we know it currently to exist. I think society as a whole above a Neanderthal level couldn't happen.

As for how it effects my learning experience, my course simply wouldn't exist. Computers and IT couldn't exist in a technologically retarded world.

2008-11-16 19:15:42 Work

Had a lot of work on this week. I'll update the E-Learning stuff as soon as I finish this assignment. Sorry about that.

2008-11-10 15:49:20 Experiences Of E-Learning: Day 1

I am taking part in a study on my e-learning experiences. I have to explain how I use various technologies and support structures to enhance my general learning experience. Every day I have to answer a question I receive via text message as well as detail how my lecturers have used technology in their teachings.

STUDY: How is your learning supported through Blackboard?

All my course modules are on blackboard, most of the lecturers upload their lecture slides a day or two prior to the actual lecture so you can go over them and jot down questions and comments to bring up at the end of the lecture. Unfortunately they appear to mostly neglect to upload the tutorial material. The notable exception is Data Warehousing and Data Mining.

Crap, I have to run to a group meeting. I'll make a new post later.

2008-11-09 02:01:22 Best Rickroll Ever?

Have you heard the MTV awards got Rickroll'd? I nearly died laughing.

BBC News Article (no really)

2008-11-09 00:20:50 Good Beers

When I was in Leicester recently for Tom's birthday/house warming/halloween/bonfire we went to a fantastic shop called The Offie.

While there I bought a beer called Paradox. Its brewed in a whiskey cask. OMG! It is like alcoholic chocolate!

Sell body parts! You MUST try this!

2008-11-08 19:03:57 Can 1, Me 0

So I bought a pie in a can for my tea. I was going to have a load of boiled veg and things with it. However I have been reduced to the level of a caveman. I can't open the can.

I have a rotary can opener which fails to even scratch the reinforced Adamantium of the can, so I broke open my penknife and tried to use the can opener on that to open the can. I had to get a YouTube video up to show me how to use that. I manged to do a small section until the stupid can BENT my can opener!

Long live the microwave and plastic packaging.

2008-11-04 13:30:49 Final Year Project

Now that I have actually sat down and started to look into my chosen project I am starting to look forward to it.

The basis is to produce a prototype of a digital postbox for rural areas of developing countries. Bandwidth in these places will always be restricted, compared to the developed world. My project aims to help bridge the gap until better bandwidth is available in the area.

Rather than witter on about it here I will upload the project spec when it is completed for you to browse at your leisure.

2008-10-31 00:52:48 The Cycle

Well it turns out the girl I have fallen for only likes me for my technology. I have been here before. It still hurts. I think I could live with it under normal circumstances. Unfortunately one of my housemates has taken offense to me and everything I say suddenly has a racist bias that it never had previously (which upsets me greatly) and the girl I liked just blanks me on everything other than essential "passing-in-the-corridor" chat.

I know no-one reads this blog; it just helps to write it down.

I'm feeling desperately lonely, its probably not by design but I'm feeling like the butt of every joke. I'm seriously missing having a fellow geek to chat to.

This is my last chance at a career and it already feels like its slipping away. If this depressive cycle continues I might have to quit. I feel so helpless.

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2008-11-18 15:51:50	Experience Of E-Learning: Day 3
STUDY: In an ideal world, how might technology of the future support your learning? Hehehe! This is a fantastic question to ask a geek. I could go on about eidetic memory and mnemonics. Being able to learn new skills on the fly similar to the Matrix would be a dream come true. I could quote numerous references in science fiction where educational implants are used to enhance a character's learning. I won't though. What I think is meant by this question is what current or emerging technology might help my learning. The answer to this is video. A YouTube video of the lectures would be fantastic. It would allow me to go back and check my notes against what was actually said during the lecture and make additional notes as needed.

2008-11-18 15:04:48	Experiences Of E-Learning: Day 2
STUDY: Think about the module that is best supported by Blackboard and describe why it is effective. The module best supported by Blackboard is Data Warehousing and Data Mining. All the lecture slides and the tutorial notes are on Blackboard making it very easy to refer to them at any time during the week. This lets you go over things in your own time and at your own pace, solidifying the teaching in your own mind.

2008-11-18 14:31:20	Experiences Of E-Learning: Day 1 - Part 2
STUDY:Imagine a world with no technology. How Would your learning experience be different and why? Wow, what a question... if I am truly honest I think a world without technology would be like pre-history. Things we take for granted like electricity and modern farming wouldn't exist. It would be impossible for society as we know it currently to exist. I think society as a whole above a Neanderthal level couldn't happen. As for how it effects my learning experience, my course simply wouldn't exist. Computers and IT couldn't exist in a technologically retarded world.

2008-11-16 19:15:42	Work
Had a lot of work on this week. I'll update the E-Learning stuff as soon as I finish this assignment. Sorry about that.

2008-11-10 15:49:20	Experiences Of E-Learning: Day 1
I am taking part in a study on my e-learning experiences. I have to explain how I use various technologies and support structures to enhance my general learning experience. Every day I have to answer a question I receive via text message as well as detail how my lecturers have used technology in their teachings. STUDY: How is your learning supported through Blackboard? All my course modules are on blackboard, most of the lecturers upload their lecture slides a day or two prior to the actual lecture so you can go over them and jot down questions and comments to bring up at the end of the lecture. Unfortunately they appear to mostly neglect to upload the tutorial material. The notable exception is Data Warehousing and Data Mining. Crap, I have to run to a group meeting. I'll make a new post later.

2008-11-09 02:01:22	Best Rickroll Ever?
Have you heard the MTV awards got Rickroll'd? I nearly died laughing. BBC News Article (no really)

2008-11-09 00:20:50	Good Beers
When I was in Leicester recently for Tom's birthday/house warming/halloween/bonfire we went to a fantastic shop called The Offie. While there I bought a beer called Paradox. Its brewed in a whiskey cask. OMG! It is like alcoholic chocolate! Sell body parts! You MUST try this!

2008-11-08 19:03:57	Can 1, Me 0
So I bought a pie in a can for my tea. I was going to have a load of boiled veg and things with it. However I have been reduced to the level of a caveman. I can't open the can. I have a rotary can opener which fails to even scratch the reinforced Adamantium of the can, so I broke open my penknife and tried to use the can opener on that to open the can. I had to get a YouTube video up to show me how to use that. I manged to do a small section until the stupid can BENT my can opener! Long live the microwave and plastic packaging.

2008-11-04 13:30:49	Final Year Project
Now that I have actually sat down and started to look into my chosen project I am starting to look forward to it. The basis is to produce a prototype of a digital postbox for rural areas of developing countries. Bandwidth in these places will always be restricted, compared to the developed world. My project aims to help bridge the gap until better bandwidth is available in the area. Rather than witter on about it here I will upload the project spec when it is completed for you to browse at your leisure.

2008-10-31 00:52:48	The Cycle
Well it turns out the girl I have fallen for only likes me for my technology. I have been here before. It still hurts. I think I could live with it under normal circumstances. Unfortunately one of my housemates has taken offense to me and everything I say suddenly has a racist bias that it never had previously (which upsets me greatly) and the girl I liked just blanks me on everything other than essential "passing-in-the-corridor" chat. I know no-one reads this blog; it just helps to write it down. I'm feeling desperately lonely, its probably not by design but I'm feeling like the butt of every joke. I'm seriously missing having a fellow geek to chat to. This is my last chance at a career and it already feels like its slipping away. If this depressive cycle continues I might have to quit. I feel so helpless.