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[my2468]

Take care!

Thank you everyone for making this class as great as it was! I have two more courses to take this coming spring until I graduate so aside from possibly seeing you guys then I just want to wish you all the best!

This Tumblr account has been in used for the purpose of posting blogs and uploading assignments related towards my online Collaborative Computing class. Along with sharing content with my fellow classmates to allow for a better immersive experience. To sound off this class is my Immersive Education Collaborative Computing class at Boston College. View the link below for more information about the class.

http://ImmersiveEducation.org/@/bc

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Class 14, Homework 2: What is Dropbox?

This is your Dropbox home screen, from here you can easily navigate the site and get a good idea with the help of the tour as to what this site is all about and how it is used. Dropbox much like Google drive is another way for groups of people, classes, friends etc. to reach one another and are able to easily share content by simply clicking and dragging the desired files they wish to share. 

The difference from google drive and Dropbox however is that Dropbox unlike Drive seems to be much more dedicated when it comes to sharing files and the protection that goes along with it. Sure both sites offer the option to share said data to people only you have specified to see them but Dropbox going one step further allows users the option to upgrade their accounts based on both safety and whether or not you’re an individual using their site or part of a team or group of people using the site to send and share large amounts of data. This is where the site offers users the choice to purchase a subscription based off of their usage. Such subscriptions include plus or professional for individual users or standard or advance for groups or teams of people. 

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Class 14, Homework 1: My Google Drive folder

Here it can be seen as to how one goes about creating a new file in their google drive account as seen in image one. As for the second image this is the actual file where I have since gone ahead and dropped a few files into it for sharing with my fellow classmates to view. This process can be done by simply dragging said file over to this file located in your drive and it will upload on its own. 

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Knowledge Tokens a new way to Gage Online Learning.

Knowledge tokens also known as Knowkens are new way of teaching younger generations as well older generations wishing to learn more about Blockchain and crypto currency. Having been at this years summit it was discussed more about what exactly Knowkens are and how they can be used in today’s educational system for both Blockchain education as well as your standard education within the classroom with the use of immersive technology. What I will be discussing below is the many features and advancements Knowkens can have for education. 

The first thing that caught my eye after having attending this years educational summit is how knowkens work and how they are used within the educational system. However before we get into that area of discussion a important difference to note is that Knowkens and Crypto Currencies are not the same thing. The key difference is that Knowkens are something that is earned rather than your standard crypto currency. Knowkens when being looked at from an educational standpoint can be used in a variety of ways. One of such ways that was discussed and actually implemented during the conference is how either using you mobile device or your laptop you’re able to take the code from the power point presentation and you’re able to earn those Knowkens and use them at a later date.  

As for using ones Knowkens their are a variety of ways that they can be used. For starters Knowkens can be accumulated allowing for those who have earned them through their instructors to save them up and eventually go to approved websites that allow for Knowkens to be redeemed and exchange them for prizes of all sorts. In some such cases owners of Knowkens are able to if they have earned enough exchange them items such as i-pads, phones, etc.. For families who may not have the financial stability to pay such items having the ability to earn Knowkens is a great way to aid them. To go even one step further some schools allow for the exchange of Knowkens as payment towards tuition and other expenses that accumulate while attending college. 

Moving back to the educational aspect of Knowkens aside from how they can be exchanged it is important to note that while they do allow for such purchases to be made as a result of a students hard work they are also doing wonders when it comes to motivating students to work hard. Students as a result of Knowkens not only feel more valued when they perform highly and pay attention but that they are also more inclined to stay focused on school and how important it is with the incentive that they are in a way being paid but not without putting forth their best to do so. Students through the use of Knowkens are able to be challenged knowing that if they complete the goals the prof. has given them that they are able to receive Knowkens as a result. 

Overall the whole idea of using Knowkens at an educational level is something that I find to be great. Comparing it to when I was in Junior High it is similar to when a teacher would have a power point presentation and would either ask students individually or in groups questions regarding certain topics and if they get them correct they earn points and the group or individual with the most points is able to earn some sort of reward for performing such an outstanding job. Such rewards would usually either be candy, homework pass or extra points towards and upcoming quiz or test. This of course when we look at how Knowkens work is a little different in the sense that rather than having small class study sessions the Knowkens are already encouraging students to go above and beyond in the classroom with the knowledge that if they do well and complete all necessary tasks they will be rewarded for all their hard work.

http://ImmersiveEducation.org/news/2017/11/14/knowledge-tokens-announced-immersive-italy-2017

http://ImmersiveEducation.org/LearnToEarn

http://ImmersiveEducation.org/Knowledge-Token/Aaron-E-Walsh-Knowledge-Token-Knowken-INTERVIEW.pdf

http://summit.ImmersiveEducation.org/Boston

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Class 14: Searching Slack

From the main screen of Slack there are quite a few tools that one can use when trying to do perform research for independent studies as well as for group work. One such tab is located in the upper right hand corner which is your typical search bar that when opened allows the user to search any key words to help find information on the topic that is desired. After having typed in the word or phrase you can then adjust the search results to help pinpoint either where you are trying to get your search results from or to simply narrow down the types of results you may be wanting to receive. Such as results from other groups or users you are not apart of and whether you would like to see posts from them or not. 

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Knowledge Token blog post

What is a knowledge token? This is something that up until a week ago at this years educational summit I would have never known what was being discussed. However between reading articles and attending this years summit I have come to understand what a knowledge token is a little better and how it is used in today’s online teachings and how it can be used in a variety of ways moving forward. However to answer the questions as to what exactly a knowledge token is and does is that it is a virtual coin that can be attained by using a working link and code which can be attained through the completion of various tasks that a prof. or teacher may ask students to complete. In a sense it is a virtual reward for those who complete tasks and at the same time shows that the people being taught are understanding what is going on by showing that they were able to successfully attain said tokens. 

http://ImmersiveEducation.org/LearnToEarn

[my2468]

Class 13, Homework 2:  Dropping Office Files into Slack

Here you can see my slack account and the same files from earlier that were uploaded to my Google Docs that have now been uploaded to my slack account for my fellow classmates to view. 

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Class 13, Homework 1: Turning Microsoft Office documents into Google files

The photos above show the before and after of converting Microsoft Documents into Google Drive Docs. The six photos show the conversion from word, power point and excel docs into Google Docs.

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Immersive Education Initiative

These two pictures are of the panel which is comprised of people who work at John Hancock. Centralized on cyber security.

This picture is showing students using Virtual Reality at the Museum of Science while they are being spoken to in real time from people on the site they are exploring.

Here you can see an old American fort that is now both a leaning and tourist attraction. The goal for the students was to recreate this historical site using Minecraft and VR.

Overview of the Blockchain Educational Summit.

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Class 12: Getting Into Slack

Here is one of multiple chat channels that can be used in order to collaborate with your fellow teammates.

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CLASS 12: Google Hangout with VOICE CHAT.

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Class 11, Homework 5B: My own Prezi presentation.

Here is my presentation created through prezi.com to help summarize my gaming report that I completed earlier this semester. The presentation template I chose felt to be the best suited to clearly show what it was I was trying to convey to my readers as well as making it easy to follow along regardless of whether or not there is a presenter present. 

Link to my Prezi presentation: https://prezi.com/p/s0um27pdj2_v/

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Class 11, Homework 5A: My Favorite 3 Prezi presentations.

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Class 11, Homework 4: Google Documents as HTML files.

What we are seeing here is a file from my Google Documents that has undergone a transfer from being a google doc. to a HTML file zipped saved on my computer. From this file we then extract the date within it by unzipping it or decompressing it and then opening it in my web browser for viewing. 

This second image is a continuation from the first just the second half of my report being visible for viewing again having been converted from a google doc to decompressed HTML file. 

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Class 11, Homework 3: Hypertext Markup Language (HTML).

After having watched the two videos on what is HTML I have gained a better understanding as to what it stands for as well as how and why it is used in everyday society in today’s world. To put it simply HTML also known as HyperText Markup Language is a computer language to allow for website creation. 

Through HTML we are as we already know able to create websites for millions of people to use and view. Again as we already know HyperText is what allows for hyperlinks which as a result allows for certain key words within articles and on websites to be clicked on which will allow us to be redirected to the website or even a document that that the hyperlink is associated with. The M in HTML is known for markup. This terms refers to the tags that are linked to the hyperlinks we previously talked about; these markups mark text as a certain type of text such as being italicized or even highlighted.  

The real question now is how does it all come together in order for us to have a working HTML. To put it as simply as possible it starts with short codes that are imputed into a text file by the creator of either the site or the links themselves. Afterwards the text is then saved as a HTML file which is then opened in a browser that is able to read the codes behind the text thus allowing for it to be able to redirect the person clicking upon it. So long as the codes are imputed correctly and the tags associated with it are correct the link will work just fine. In the event that one of these requirement above are not correct the hyperlink may either redirect you to the wrong site or will simply say this link is broken. 

[my2468]

Class 11, Homework 2: Collaborative Web Pages with TogetherJS

The screenshot above is a brief overview of what TogetherJS is and how it has many applications that it is made up of.

Here it can be seen some of the applications that TogetherJS has to offer to its users.

The screenshot above is showing how one might use the grocery to list on their website and how it can make shopping simplified by using key words and categorizing each item by department. 

Here is a closer look of what a list may look like when one starts to put together the items they need before shopping. 

This is yet another application offered by TogetherJS where either yourself or with friends you can draw and create art and drawings using the tools on the top and to the right of your drawing space.

This last application that I tried out I found to be the most interesting out of the ones tried. This one allows users to watch videos with one another via YouTube. This is something that I can easily see myself using with friends of mine rather than sharing a video I can watch it with them. 

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Class 9 Homework 4: Video Games - More than a Game

As we become engulfed into the world of video games it can become quite hard to describe what exactly a video game is and how one may play it given the amount of technology there is and how much is still coming out today which as a result is constantly changing the way we as players have to describe to others the certain aspects as to what a video game is. Despite this we have still managed to describe the basics as to what a video game is as well as how one goes about playing a game. Of course there are still far more possibility's as to how a game ought to be played and depending on what kind of person you are it can make things that much more easy or in some cases harder given how different they are. 

As discussed in the first IBM gaming report there are a variety of ways in which video games can be played. Some examples as to how one may play a game include learning, entertainment, communication, stress  relief, etc. What the IBM report took notes on was not just the game play itself but rather the individual person and how he or she uses their time while playing video games. Serious gaming was what this particular study found. They honed in on how some players play games to compete with others and attempting to be the best player. Both leadership and strategy where the key elements that the researchers were looking for when it came to a gamer. One such game that comes to mind that I have played that focused heavily on strategy and having a team leader was Supreme Commander Two. 

In just about any video game that is out there it is going to take at least a little time for one to get a hold of the controls. This is a huge part for any gamer and non gamer to understand in order to be able to play a game without the need of directions the entire time. Some games such as open world and strategy games may even require a little bit more time to master the controls. In Supreme Commander depending on what controls one uses and how quickly they use them can easily determine the battle and whether or not you will be able to put up a fight or if it is better to simply accept defeat while you can. 

Another highly popular and addictive game is Minecraft. This game unlike the previous one requires far less strategy in order to be good at it. Rather if there is any particular skill set one ought to know for this it would be to have a good memory and to be able to player a game for fun rather than to win. Minecraft throughout the years went from being a small sandbox type world forever in a beta stage to a game that was able to be picked up by Microsoft and transformed into a game where anyone can play it. In the world of Minecraft it the only thing stopping you from learning is your imagination. This game allows for so many things to happen and what it makes it even better is that if you get tired of playing alone you can invite a friend to play with you which as a result allows for the formation of communication and social activity with others. 

Throughout my time playing video games during this class and outside of this class I have come to play a variety of games, some highly complex while others being fairly straightforward and simple to grasp. One of the my favorite games I have personally always been a fan of is Halo. Sure to many it may be viewed as being just another FPS First person shooter, but to me it tells a story unlike any other game series I know. The story is the main reason I play this game. Similar to someone waiting for the next part of a book or television series to come out I will wait patiently until the next Halo game comes out in order to see where the next chapter takes me. 

Links:

http://IBM.com

http://ImmersiveEducation.org/minecraft