Concluding Thoughts

Our IST project is almost at an end (sadly) and I thought I would post some of my concluding thoughts on this week's class. It was really interesting to learn about the field of IT and how it is such a diverse area of study. Now I know that you can apply Information Technology to any field of study all over the globe, just as Dr. Maitland, one of our IT guest speakers, studies developing countries. Throughout this week, I learned how to create a blog and even communicated with Indian students to exchange information about our cultures. We also discussed the role of technology in our lives and how it can be considered as good or bad. (See the refridgerator example in the above post!) With the amazing amount of information available on the internet, IT is truly a Gateway to the World. A perfect example of which is that in only one week, we were able to communicate with students across the globe. Two of my favorite activites of the class were the cell phone redesign activity because it allowed us to be creative and focus on the people side of the ITP triangle and the creation of the movie, which summed up nicely this exciting week. Among the numerous interesting things I learned was the wide array of careers available in the IT field, how so many people resort to virtual realities such as There and how so much money is spent online, the amusing cultural blunders (Pepsi will bring your ancestors back from the dead!), Alicebot and how we are Time magazine's most important person of 2006. This week was really exciting, interesting and rewarding and I learned alot about IT! Thanks so much, Sharoda and Joey! You were great teachers and I had alot of fun!

Reaction to Guest Speakers

Today, our two guest speakers were women in IT careers involved in both teaching and researching. It was interesting to learn that both Dr. Maitland and Dr. Kvasny did not initially choose an IT career but worked in another science field (such as engineering) and eventually gravitated towards the freedom and "newness" of IT. Dr. Kvasny is involved in a very interesting application of IT: she studies HIV cases in Philadelphia and looks to understand how different victims of this disease view HIV (especially African Americans and Latinos) by searching on blogs and also how other people view such people suffering from the virus. Dr. Maitland also has chosen an interesting field of study regarding developing countries and how people in such countries use PDAs to control individuals into seeking healthcare in return for food. It was surprising to learn the array of options one has within the field of IT and how very diverse it is in its applications.

Questions for Guests

Well, I had a few questions in mind to ask our guests tomorrow. First, I would like to know why they chose careers in IT. Secondly, I would like to find out what type of opposition or challenges (if any) they faced as women in such a career. I will find out soon!

What I learned today...

Well, today was my first class in the IST (Information Science Technology) project at Penn State. I learned some interesting things: I never before realized how technology has the ability to control our lives. Our society's quest for new gadgets and inventions creates a consumer demand which was before nonexistent. Take for example, a calculator. Before, students had to keep fresh in their mind how to do simple mathmatical problems. Now, there is no need (most of the time) because calculators are always present to be used. Also, technology has an impact on societal relations and personal habits. In the old days before electricity and the refridgerator, families gathered together and ate dinner as a family unit, so the prepared food would not spoil. Now, fridges keep food fresh for as long as needed and families no longer eat together as a neccessity but as a convenience. Another note on technology is that it can be considered good or bad. Take the refridgerator for example, it allows us to reheat food and do not waste it. However, we now eat unhealthy and not fresh foods. These are just a few of the many cool things I learned today. Look for my post tomorrow about class!

Important Technology

The computer is an essential part of my daily life. Using it (especially the Internet), I can search for information, exchange information and post information. It truly is the information highway. I usually spend about 1-2 hours a day on the computer checking emails, talking to my friends on aim and looking up information for school/ personal needs. The computer is now my new best friend! haha

Another important technology in my life is the telephone. I spend alot of my free time talking to my friends and family on my phone and it helps me keep in touch with people who live far away or who I just like to talk to alot.

I love to watch television in my free time. I have alot of favorite shows that I watch religiously (CSI, NCIS, Grey's Anatomy, House and Monk). Plus, I can tune into the news or educational shows like on the History or Discovery Channel if I feel like learning anything.

The microwave is another important technology. I often reheat leftover food or quick make something to eat if I do not have alot of time.

Welcome to my Life

Hi! My name is Jessica and I live in Pennsylvania near Philadelphia. I am sixteen years old and I will be a senior in the fall. I have one younger sister and a chiuhuahua named Sammy. Some of my hobbies include reading, playing the piano and spending time with my friends.