Instant Messaging (IM)

Instant Messaging, or IM, is my absolute favorite way to communicate. It is quick, easy, and to the point. With phone calls you have to make with pleasantries and all the crap that goes with them, with emails I feel like you have to be so formal and people do not always get them right away. But IM, I mean, it is in the name: INSTANT. I love it while I am home and I loved it when I worked in a real office. It is perfect if I am doing work and I have a question for a client of my business partner. I especially like that a lot of IM options show you when someone has read it. That way I can tell if someone has actually received the information. It is nice to just toss a line and say hello to a friend or ask a question that I need an immediate answer for. Obviously, I do not use it if it is a long drawn out question, or I know they will have a long answer. Then I call or email. While I was working at DARPA we loved g-chat, even if we were sitting in the same office. It keeps the office quiet but you still can ask when someone wants to go get coffee or why the damned printer isn't working again.

Skype

Skype was revolutionary when it first hit the market. I remember being in Germany and people going on and on about this new thing called Skype and how easy it was to use to call home. And every Soldier's favorite part; it was free. As smartphones have become more and more popular, Skype has kind of fallen to the background. But, I still love it. I downloaded onto my daughter's iPad and she uses it to talk with her father, grandmother, cousin, and a friend that moved to England. And she loves that she can send messages on it. So, while her father is at work she records little videos and sends them to him with her 7 lines of emojis. It makes her feel like a grown-up with a grown-up phone she says (since I told her she was WAY off from getting her own phone). Now that Skype can be used on more than just a computer has made it a hot topic again. I am not sure who else is using it, but for me, it is a lifesaver. Before Skype, whenever she would be on my phone talking to a relative, I would be trying to work and I use my phone a lot for work. It was driving me crazy. Obviously, I want her to stay in touch and connect with our loved ones, but not when it costs me valuable work time. :) Skype saves me a giant headache, and to think, it was almost all but forgotten by many. *This is not an add for Skype*

LinkedIn

As many young professionals, I have had a LinkedIn account for as long as I can remember. I never used it to its full potential. In fact, I only had an account because someone in out company told us everyone should have one. Now tat I am running my own business I still find myself not using it in the capacity it was meant for. But, I continue to keep my account, just in case.

LinkedIn is a genius idea when you get down to it. Like a secondary resume for you to show off your connections and potential companies to see more than a simple resume can provide. I believe this site is very useful for people looking to get their name out there, especially if they are looking for a new job. I know a lot of my views came from people looking to hire me when my resume came across their desks. This is a great way to show off more than what you can write on a limited resume. I do suggest that you keep active on it and keep it updated. Add a professional picture and keep those connections rolling in and you will be the happier for it.

Social Media

	Facebook	Google+	Myspace
Wall/Feed	Easy to use and understand. Flows down the screen. One column of feed.	Easy to use and understand. Flows down the screen. Two columns of feed.	Odd layout. Flows to the left and right of the screen.
Friends	Called Friends. Easy to search and navigate.	Called People. Easy to search and navigate.	Called People. No search option.
Uploads	Upload option available at the top of the Home screen. Easy to use.	Upload option available at the top of the Home screen. Easy to use.	Uploads on menu to the left. Allows music upload as well as video and photo.
Communities	Throughout feed ads and communities based on things you’ve posted or viewed. Mixed in with feed.	Offers different forums you may be interested in based on your posts. On the menu bar to the left.	Offers artists and pages to Connect with. Available on menu to the left. Shows most popular.
Navigation	Easy	Easy	Moderate
Chat	Through Facebook Messanger	Through Gmail G-Chat	Yes
Mobile	Yes	Yes	No

My Podcast

My podcast is located at https://amberomega.podbean.com/mf/web/58bbib/schoolpodcast.mp3

Voki

Here is the link to my voki video: http://tinyurl.com/zf28txj

Hardcore History King of Kings

I want to start by saying JACKPOT!! At this point in my life, I am obsessed with History; any history. When I was digging through podcastalley.com and started getting bored by the titles I was seeing, it was like a special prize when I saw this channel. I will warn everyone, his podcasts are over 3 hours long and his voice is soft and even, wich can lull you if you are tired. I think what I liked most was that he gave you an entire list at the bottom of the page of where he got his information and he gives you what he calls a 'scorecard' that breaks down all the kings he discusses during this podcast. I will say what I liked most was how he speaks, it is almost like he was there and when he recites the speeches he actually puts some power behind it. I do not know if it is because I like history so much or because he catches your attention that well. This will definitely be a podcast I will subscribe to and I hope other people find just as interesting.

http://www.dancarlin.com/hardcore-history-56-kings-of-kings/

Fresh Air 'The Platinum Age of TV'

I chose this podcast because I found myself feeling a touch sad that I have not been able to watch TV as of late because of my schedule, so I thought this would connect me a little. Terry Gross from the podcast Fresh Air interviews David Bianculli's new book titled 'The Platinum Age of Television'.  I am not sure what I was expecting, but it was not this. Basically, it is a guy (David Bianculli) discussing his favorite TV from his childhood until now. They play a bunch of clips from TV and he explains why he likes the clip. It was a little weird listening to, especially the Mr. Rogers clip about assassination. The childish voice discussing assassination without a visual was a little offputting for me. If you think you can listen without watching it is nice to revisit these TV shows, but younger generations beware, they pretty much stay in the 60s. It ends with Maureen Corrigan giving a breakdown about Stanley Elkin and his soap obsession...

http://freshairnpr.npr.libsynfusion.com/the-platinum-age-of-tv

Freakonomics Radio 'How Much Does the President Really Matter?'

I picked this podcast because of the recent election. Not because I feel either way about it, but because I thought it was fitting. Apparently, so did Freakonomics because this was a bonus episode that was re-released because of this year's election. This episode does not discuss the 2016 election, in fact, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are not mentioned. While elections are mentioned, it does not discuss a particular president in detail, instead, it focuses on the office of the President and what power this position actually holds. They discuss gambling and stock markets, and they even compare baseball and the Presidency, and then the discuss the position of the President and whether he actually has power or he is just the face and behind the shadows lies the real power. Mr. Dubner has a very monotone voice but he chooses his words carefully and keeps you intrigued. At one point he mentions speaking with Lyndon Johnson's dog. If that does not catch your attention, I don't think anything will. On a closing note, I will add that the ads are a little annoying, but they gotta make money right?!

http://freakonomics.com/podcast/bonus-episode-much-president-really-matter/

My wiki

I created a wiki called AOmegaWiki and it is located at http://aomegawiki.wikispaces.com/

Teacher's salary by subject area

I read, Teacher's salary by subject area by PEGuys (http://shifthappens.wikispaces.com/share/view/49335946). Wow, just wow. Governor Christie wants to pay teachers based on what subject they teach. Who decides which subject is better and worth more? All teachers are important and each child responds to each subject differently. Just because he thinks something is more important does not mean it is. A future doctor might find math and science important, but a future pilot might find just math important, and a future director might find art more important. Teachers get bum pay as it is, they should not take a pay cut because someone with no concept of teaching children thinks their subject is less important.

Preparation of students for the future?

I read, Preparation of students for the future? by Jennifer Kolb (http://shifthappens.wikispaces.com/share/view/1658333) And she asks the very important question "Are students being adequately prepared for the future?". I have to say I think they are not. In most public schools they are stuck in the old school way of teaching kids. Some schools, sadly only ones that can afford it, have progressed to teaching kids about technology and the changing of the world but a lot of schools are still teaching the way I was when I was in school and worse the way my parents were taught when they were in school. We definitely need to rethink the way we are teaching the future.

What If?

I read What IF? by Karl Fisch (http://thefischbowl.blogspot.com/2006/09/what-if.html). While, at first, I was skeptical with what I thought he was going to say, I have to agree. By making a blanket statement that no one can use their electronic devices, you set up a system that is going to fail. I agree that there should be a school-wide meeting, as well as emails and letters home about when is appropriate and when is not appropriate to use these devices. The students should have to sign a copy and be punished accordingly if they abuse the use of these devices. The reality is, electronics are the future and they are a part of everyone's everyday life. We should embrace this and allow students to incorporate them into their learning, within reason of course.