Wii IS FOR MEE

The Wii system has created hype throughout all age groups. I have to agree that this is console is more then a hype. The Wii is a gaming system which all game system’s wish they could do; be more then a game. I don’t think you could comment on this question without playing the Wii. Before the Wii I had realized that all game systems where the same and I was waiting for a revolution. When playing the Wii, it’s more then a game its life. It brings you into the game and lets you experience hands on exactly how gaming should be. The Wii system is the 5^th console made by Nintendo, and one of the best. The best part of the Wii is the distinguishing feature of the wireless remote controller which detects rotation and motion. The Wii game system was made in Japan and it was envisioned by Nintendo’s DS system. Another important factor was the name Wii wasn’t trying to be like other game systems, but to create a revolution which was the codename of the console. The name was spelt like that because the two lower case ii represent two people standing side by side. As well Wii sounds like “we”, meaning that this console could be played by everyone, and could easily be remembered. For someone who has experienced Wii they will agree with me that it is one of the greatest game consoles every made. Over 3.25 million+ have bought this console worldwide and each minute that number grows. The Wii system is more then a hype it truly is a “technological revolution”.

THE GENOGRAPHIC PROJECT

WHERE DO I COME FROM??

The Genographic Project was made to study the human journey and explain how we arrived to where we are today. The genographic project feels that we are all from Africa, but the question was how so many ethnic groups grew. The Genographic projects consist of collecting DNA from over 100,000 people and find which haplogroup we belong to. It explained that we are all part of a haplogroup which describes our genetic marker, and the history of humans that share the same DNA markers. The science behind this project is Phenotype data is collected and transmitted to the Genographic Project DNA analysis in Washington D.C. Scientist then use advanced technologies and data sorting to interpret the samples and discover new patterns to help us learn more about human history. This project is a great idea and it’s something that everyone would have wanted to learn a long time ago. This project couldn’t of happened 100 years ago because I don’t think there where as many ethic and diverse places as now. Indigenious groups are very important because they contain key genetic markers. Both traditional and indigenious groups need to be sampled to complet this. The Genogrpahic Project hopes to be a 5 year effort, and to collect DNA from people around the world. There are 3 core-components involved in this project which are, Fied Research, Public Participation and Awarness Campaign, and Genographic Legacy Project. Hopefully when this project is completed it will let us all know our history and journey of how we got where we are today. This project was a great idea, and the migration patterns should still continue to be watched even after this Genogrpahic Project. In 100 years the next generation would wonder the same question. How we arrived to where we are today?

>>Reading Iin Cyberspace<<

It seems as though Google has been expanding more and more throughout these years because of how modernized the Internet is. The Google book search is broken up in three parts. First is Pd which is the section where you get full contexts of books that you are searching. Next is OPP which allows you to get only what the publishers chooses to give you. Next is IP which is only little snippets of words that your working with. It seems that when we look around the Internet more and more “suing” is going on from music to movies and now books. Yahoo and Microsoft want in on it to. Of course they would because there not getting the same attention as Google. The information that is accessed is the information that publishers give. So in the end it’s the say of the publishers, if there aren't any publishers then Google is safe and only gives snippets. Liberians shouldn't’t feel threatened because nothing wrong is occurring. If someone doesn’t have access to a library or doesn’t have a card then why are we holding them back and telling them no. Of course the Liberians want a piece of what Google Is making because it will get larger and larger as people realize what a great idea it is. Personally I am 100% for it, for one I don’t even have a library card anymore, and to get one its complicated. This way it’s easy, and fast, and a great way for authors books to be seen. Google is an amazing site for information that you need others shouldn't’t be upset just because they didn't think of it first.

WAR VIDEO GAMES AT HOME

MySpace Codes

Why are war video games so popular now?

Why I believe that war video games are so popular now is it seems that people like pretending then leaving. They like the fact that they can be in an unrealistic world. It seems that war games are the new craze. Its popular because of the advertisement around it, as well always be in our face no matter how hard we try to run away from it. I do understand that people like the action of video games but war games have become more developed and action packed. It’s what everyone wants to play and want in both playstation and Xbox. Another important fact is when the game systems like playstation develop so do the games meaning better visuals, better missions, and better people. Who wouldn’t want that realistic theme of a war on there TV?

2. "If it's not realistic, it's not worth playing," is a quote in the article. Do you think realistic war game desensitize people to the horror of war or is it just fun?

To some it’s like a fantasy they know they will never be in a war but they still want to feel it. My opinion I think its horror. I do have an older brother and when I do see him playing his war games its kind of scary watching the effects. In his case its different he is in the army and its kind of a practice. He wants to feel it and see it, but to him it’s just a game. When I see others its more like life to them. In the game there a different person, they have a life in there own "game world". I agree with that quote because to me it is a horror. If I had kids I wouldn't want them playing some of those games that I see others playing. There's a certain audience that these games can focus on but for the young ones it shouldn't apply.

3. What do you personally think of war video games?

Personally I don’t like them and I don’t play them. It's hard to see how video games have changed from Sonic, and Pac man, to fighting and war. I don't enjoy games like these because to me killing someone isn't fun. My opinion is war games should be less advertised compared to other games. It seems that these games are being advertised to the wrong crowd and wrong message. To me if i had kids I wouldn't want them to play games like these because as i said before for some it's there own world. Next thing kids will be using excuses saying they learned this move on a game. As i said before we need to be more careful and stop attracting the wrong kids sooner then later.

AN IPOD CLASSROOM!!!

1. The article suggests that iPod video lectures are effect for "kinesthetic learners", who tend to be hands-on, active and require frequent breaks." Do you think that you would learn well using an iPod? Why or why not?

Yes I do believe that I will learn well using an iPod video because the main reason for coming to ward was avoiding having to listen to teachers. I believe that I learn better being more independent and asking questions when I need it. I feel that when I go to school seminars I tend to be less concentrated or distracted easily if I go with friends. If we where to have iPod seminars then I could listen to it in the comfort of my home with less distractions. I do agree with that statement because I am more of a hands-on person. If I had the chance to use iPods to learn then I would do and understand better.

2. An advocate for "v-casting" through the iPod says that "Its more interactive and more self directed" Do you think that Mary Ward, with its commitment to self-directed learning, should embrace such technology for education? What are some advantages or disadvantages?

Although I like the idea of iPod classrooms, I think that the disadvantages would outweigh the advantages because a loss of communication would occur. Just imaging the whole school walking around watching their iPods? Well although I do see a lot of that I think it would be harder to control. Mary Ward is a school which is independent but still keeps the doors open to speak and have contact with your teachers. I think that the advantages would be more likely to occur with the older students since they have fewer courses and don’t get distracted easy. If we had the whole school like that then gr.9s coming in won’t understand and it would be hard to maintain. I think that Mary Ward could offer this to students who would want it and it would then do those students a great deal. For now Mary Ward doesn’t need 1000 students walking around with iPod videos.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Modern Day Communication

Each year our world advances through technology if it’s new cell phones, or instant messaging. There are both advantages and disadvantages of modern day communication. First I'll talk about cell phone cameras, which have advanced more and more throughout the years. Cell phones in general are a big factor in most teen’s life. The advantages of cell phone cameras are one, easy access to take a picture of anything. That’s why now if you go to a concert instead of cameras they have there phones. Also the size, carrying a camera around is somewhat a burden to fit in our bags, a cell phone fits in our pocket. We can easily see a picture we want then take it, although there are advantages there are disadvantage. The biggest disadvantage is privacy, already in Saudi Arabia they've banned camera phones, and there are also concerns in many other countries. The problem is people are taken photos of things that should be kept private. Depending on how you use your camera phone they can be greatly appreciated or greatly abused.
Another Modern Day communication is MSN or text messaging; both of these consist of fast ways to communicate with your friends. MSN and text messaging do have advantages, on MSN you can talk to your friend’s instantly with text messaging you don’t have to be on a computer you can be anywhere. There is one big disadvantage to instant messaging which is cyber bullying. This happens a lot since people feel safer to say mean things through MSN or texts. I remember an incident when I was being bullied over MSN which ended up being a joke but for others its not, many people get physically and mentally hurt. Another disadvantage to instant messaging which happened to me was I sent a personal text to someone, but I sent it to the wrong number. In cases like those it’s hard to fix since you don't know who’s getting the message. Although instant messaging has its con's its very convenient if you’re safe. Overall modern day communication is increasing more although there are disadvantages the advantages outweigh them. As long as where safe then modern day communication is great.

Welcome

Hello I'm Chantee Dardaine, this is my introductory blog about myself. The only thing that comes to mind is the reason I choose my nickname Speedz I love running track and I also represented Mary Ward last year in OFSAA. I love media and hopefully as I continue and advanced through this course I will learn more and more.

Yours Truly

Chantee Dardaine