Course Reflection

I have to honestly say, I enjoyed this course a lot more than I thought I would have. I somewhat dreaded taking this course at first because I felt that it was an unnecessary requirement to apply for the Radiology program. At first I did not understand why taking this course would apply to my future in becoming a radiographer but after taking this course, I feel that it was very beneficial for my future. Learning more about cultural diversity and technology was very interesting. Working in a medical office, I interact with a number of different people that are of different ages and different cultures. I do not feel that it has changed my way of communication yet, but it makes me more aware and has helped me to understand some of the things I have encountered in my past. I use to work customer service in the retail industry and it wasn't until reading, "Diversity Consciousness," that I realized that I was slightly on cultural cruise control. I use to get upset when Jewish individuals would come to get checked out and would put their money on the counter to pay for their items. I use to get pissed off and feel that they were being extremely disrespectful not understanding that it was part of their culture. I was to busy acting as if my values, beliefs, and experiences are universal. I now realize that I have to continue to unlock that cruise control, as well as so many others. It's not fair for people in America to feel that because people from other countries come to live here, they should Americanize themselves. What is it to be an American actually? America is made of a diversity of people and it continues to get more diverse each day. So with the projections of 2050, of America becoming an even more diverse society, how can anyone say that if they come to America then they need to act like Americans. So I can definitely say that this course has opened my eyes to a variety of different things and has made me more educated on the subject. When I interact with individuals I do find myself more aware of my interaction so that I may not offend anyone, because I myself prefer to not be offended. I also find myself now correcting and educating other individuals to their interactions so that they will not continue with ignorance. I feel to continue to let ourselves and others walk around in ignorance is a great unjust. I can honestly say that course has not challenged my views but has educated me a great deal and has helped me to take my blinders off. I no longer try to gravitate to those that are like me but try to have more diverse relationships. When you gravitate to those that are only like you, have the same cultural background, share the same religious beliefs, the same family structure, you close yourself off to having limitations, to knowing only of a small group of people. But when you open yourself up and interact with a more diverse group, you learn so much, you realize that while you may have had your perceptions of this group, your perceptions were wrong and that your cultures do share similarities. Even when there are differences among the different groups, it sometimes these differences that make the interaction, the friendship, the relationship, worth having. For my future, I continue to want to develop relationships with individuals of different cultures because it will make me a more knowledgeable and more well rounded person. I also hope for the same for my children because as they grow, the world will continue to grow in diversity and this will impact their future within employment, education, relationships, and so much more a great deal. I have to say that I really enjoyed this course and I am very glad and appreciative that it was a requirement so that I could gain the new knowledge that I have.

Tech Chapter 8 Assignment

I enjoyed looking over the 2014 International Consumer Electronics show article. Being that we are now towards the end of 2015, some of the things that I reviewed in the article are things that I have already seen in the stores but I still find them interesting actually reading about them. Like I am extremely interested in the 4K televisions. I have actually seen these ultra HD televisions in stores and in a hotel I have stayed in and there picture is absolutely beautiful.  The picture is so crisp and the speed is of the picture is incredible. It seems like the video you are watching is kind of moving in fast forward with out fast it moves. The televisions themselves have even gotten smaller being 4K and are extremely light weight. My next step will be to purchase one of these 4K televisions unless they come out with something even better next year. (2014 CES: Must-see gadgets of the trade show. Andrea Domanick.) I was also interested in the feature of the connected cars. I've seen this advertisement for the Chevy vehicles that have the wireless internet connection so that people can still pick up the wi-fi from their vehicle. I hope to invest in one of those vehicles in the future because my kids would be so happy if they could still connect to Netflix and watch their videos while we are on the road. And then I absolutely love the two-in-ones that they spoke of and are currently out. I have actually been looking into purchasing one recently. I own a tablet but I would like a small laptop for school purposes and my husband had mentioned that I should buy a two-in-one so that I would have the best of both and give my tablet to my oldest child. I do like the idea and I'm still mulling over the idea because it would be a nice gadget to have. After reading this article about all these new inventions, I definitely have to look into the one for 2015. (The 2014 Consumer Electronics Show: 8 Trends to Watch. Tim Bajarin.)

Globalization

IT has improved health care a great deal. IT has improved prevention and control of emerging infectious diseases, it has improved patient to health care provider interaction, rapid spread of information, has improved the responses to outbreak situations, and so much more. I myself work in health care. Because of IT, we have access to EMR and no longer have to deal with paper charts, if someone is seen within our network, we instantly have access to patient information without having to wait for it to be mailed or faxed. With IT, patients are able to access some of their medical information right from their very own home, along with sending questions and concerns to their provider without having to deal with waiting to speak to someone on the phone, they are able to request medication from their provider, along with make an appointment. With the help of technology, health officials are able to obtain more information about outbreaks of dangerous infectious diseases with the rapid collection and transmission of detailed patient data to medical labs or public health centers. Digital records and images utilizing cameras have made it possible for doctors around the world to share information and offer advice on treatments for complicated ailments. For example, using internet connections made it possible for doctors working in remote regions of Northern Uganda to rapidly transmit their findings to experts during the deadly Ebola outbreak. IT makes so many things possible in so many areas. Through IT, individuals like myself and other working adults that want to further their education are possible to do so with online distance learning. Even individuals in other countries are able to make this possible. Though it may not be as easy or as accessible for individuals in other countries, IT still makes it a possibility in some parts. Tanzania has been a country developing a great deal from distance learning. Since 1994, Tanzania has opened the door to distance education so that students may obtain higher education. (www.academia.edu. "Open and Distance Learning in Developing Countries: The Past, the Present, and the Future. Cosmas B. F. Mnyanyi.) Open and distance learning contribute to development and poverty reduction. The acceleration in higher education is believed to have personal and social benefits.

Tech Chapter 7 Assignment

Technology has definitely come along way.  Assistive devices have been created for PCs to help individuals with visual impairment. Apps have even been created to help visually-impaired individuals use smartphones. According to an article I read on Mashable, Roger Wilson-Hinds, director and co-founder of Screereader, a software application that attempt to identify and interpret what is being displayed on the screen, also built an app called Georgie. Georgie is specifically to help blind users navigate day-to-day obstacles like catching a bus, reading printed text, and knowing exactly where they are at all times through their smartphone. Georgie uses fingers and gestures to let users navigate the software. With Georgie, you hold your finger down, wait for a beep and hear the function you're touching read out loud, whether it's to make a call, send a text, or determine your location. (Andrea Smith. July 2012. "Android App Makes Smartphones Accessible for the Blind.)


We are a world that is moving technology forward every second. With the creation of laptops to tablets, to now 2-in-1's, technology is always moving forward. Though we are a world that is always moving forward, we still have a digital divide. Digital divide is used to describe the disparity in access to technology between the rich and the poor. The digital divide has become a metaphor to describe the perceived disadvantage of those who either are unable to or do not choose to make use of technology in their daily life. According to an article by Danica Radovanovic, technology experts and activists have for years attempted to bridge the gap between those with access to technology and those without.(Danica Radovanovic. January 2014. "Bridging the Digital Divide: Mobile and Social Media.) They have been trying to bridge this gap by using innovative products and initiatives, like the $100 laptop developed by the organization One Laptop per Child (OLPC). There have been other organizations such as Close the Gap. Close the Gap is an international non-profit organization that aims to bridge the digital divide by offering high-quality, pre-owned computers donated by large and medium-sized corporations or public organizations to educational, medical, entrepreneurial and social projects in developing and emerging countires.


E-waste is the term used to describe old, end-of-life or discarded appliances using electricity. It includes computers, consumer electronics, fridges etc which have been disposed of by their original users. According to an article I read posted by Ayesha Anam Siddiqui, new "green" and innovative ways are being created to reduce the amount of e-waste. (Ayesha Anam Siddiqui. May 2013, "Green Computing: E-waste Management through Recycling.") Green computing is the study and practice of using computing resources efficiently and eco-friendly. Green computing is also known as green information technology, Green IT. There are four approaches used to promote green computing, Green use: minimizing the electricity consumption of computers and their peripheral devices and using them in an eco-friendly manner. Green disposal: re-making an existing computer or appropriately disposing of, or recycling, unwanted electronic equipment. Green design: designing energy-efficient computers, servers, printers, projectors and other digital devices. Green manufacturing: minimizing waste during the manufacturing of computers and other subsystems to reduce the environmental impact of these activities.

Tech Chapter 5 Assignment

The Arab Spring has been called the bloggers revolution. Social media played a tremendous role in this revolution. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and so many more. In 2011, when the fruit vendor Mohamed Bouazizi was publicly killed, many cell phones recorded his protest and the videos kick-started the uprising. According to the Huffington Post, "Mohamed Bouazizi, a Tunisian who set himself on a blaze protesting police corruption, became literally the torch that lit the Arab Spring revolution..." (Andrew Lam, 9-14-12. From Arab Spring to Autumn Rage: The Dark Power of Social Media). Social networking websites has played an important role during modern day activism. Many activists who played crucial roles in the Arab Spring, used social networking as a key tool in expressing their thoughts concerning unjust acts committed by the government. Through social networking, Arab Spring activists not only gained the power to overthrow powerful dictatorship but it also helped Arab civilians become aware of the underground communities that exist. So I would say social media played a huge role in Arab Spring.

They say be aware what you may post on social media sites because it can make you or break you. With Lindsey Stone, it broke her because she was fired over a picture that she posted on her Facebook page. I find it unfair the jobs and the government look into peoples background by also using social media sites. I do not agree with some of the things that are posted on social media sites but I don't feel that it should be held against you when it comes to things like business, employment, and education. That is basically saying that we as people do not have the right to freedom of speech and freedom of expression. Like I said I do not agree with some of the things posted on social media sites like the naked and inappropriate photos and videos, the inappropriate so-called jokes but that is a person's right. Like there was controversy of a gay couple posting a picture with their daughter starting their day, that is their right. A mother posting a picture of her breastfeeding her child, her right. So because these people posts these pictures they should be held back or even fired from a job that they are extremely qualified to do and would and are a great asset to the company, completely unfair. I feel that people should make better choices on the things they post, I feel that 100 percent but I do not feel that they should be punished for them. If they post is a criminal act, then yes of course but not if they are posting a picture of themselves in a provocative outfit, or posting a picture of themselves with their spouse and they are a homosexual couple. People should not be faulted for unharmful expression.

 I myself tend to monitor my digital presence. I have a twitter account but I do not use it. I have a Facebook account but I only post tasteful family photos and memorable photos with my friends. I do not discuss or make post or statuses about my personal business. Anything I post is something that will not be incriminating for me in the future. I do not having any arguments within social media because that is just distasteful and immature. Forbes actually released an article called, "4 Tips to Manage Your Online Reputation," by Ty Kiisel on 11/20/12. According to the article the tips were: 1.) Don't forget your brand is every touch point, meaning don't say or do anything on social media that would reflect poorly on your personal brand. 2.) If you argue online, you lose, meaning arguing on social media is public to everyone and makes you look like an immature idiot. 3.) Be polite and remember the golden rule, meaning regardless of the topic and how passionate you feel about the topic, be polite and considerate online. 4.)Remember what happens online, stays online, meaning the internet never forgets, every response or picture is captured and stored on a server someplace so Google can link to it. Now there are probably more tips to managing your online reputation but I feel that these are the most basic and the key ones to follow. I know I follow them so that what I do can not come back to bite me.

Diversity Chapter 1 Assignment-America

What does it mean to be an American??? This is a question that will get several different responses depending on who you ask. To me, being an American means to represent diversity, ideas, freedom, higher education, and religious freedoms. I feel that this is an American because to me this is what America represents. America is a land full of diversity, a land full of different nationalities, full of different cultures. According to Larry Craig (What it Means to be an American, Part 1. Western Journalism. June 14, 2013.), our country was founded with people from six different European nations: England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Holland, and Germany. This is one of the only places that you can see such cultural diversity and I love it. Being an American is having the freedom to have ideas and opinions, though some peoples ideas and opinions may not be politically and sometimes culturally accepting, it is the fact that you still have the freedom to have ideas and opinions. In America you have the right and freedom to pursue higher education which I feel is a wonderful freedom of being an American. The freedom to better yourself. And being an American is having religious freedoms. America is the one place where you can have a variety of different people with different religions and where a person can practice more than one religion or has the right to choose or change their religion. I feel that the current Miss America, Kira Kazantsev, is a good representation of an American. She was born to Russian immigrants who left Moscow in 1990 to pursue a better life here in the US, making her a first generation American in her family. She is a college graduate and drives the issue of protecting women against domestic violence. She represents diversity of having Russian culture, having the drive to better herself with gaining a meaningful education and furthering her education.

I currently did a comparison of my city, Owings Mills, with Rosedale. It was an interesting learning experience. Owings Mills tends to have a larger population than Rosedale with Owings Mills having a population of 30.622 versus Rosedale population of 19.257. The diversity of each city intrigues me as well. The racial makeup of Owings Mills consists of 28.5% white, 53.4% black, 8.2% hispanic, 8.0% asian, 1.3% two or more races and 0.6% american indian. Rosedale has 58.4% white, 31.4% black, 5.3 % hispanic, 1.6% asian, 2.5% two or more races, and 0.8% american indian. I honestly did not know that Owings Mills had a higher percentage of black people than white people especially when I see more white people and arabs in my neighborhood than black people. It was also interesting to learn that the median household income is higher in Owings Mills than Rosedale. I found the information very informative. And according to an article I read by Joel Kotkin (What American Demographics Will Look Like in 2050. Newgeography.com. March 15, 2010), we will have a boost in our US population. With the US being more fertile and having the highest fertility rate they are projecting to see another 100 million by 2050. Kotkin projects to see an even more diverse population with the large amounts of interracial and homosexual marriages. With these projections I project that my children and grandchildren will be exposed to an even more diverse society and may have larger families. I also project that growing up in an even more diverse society that my children or grandchildren will have a more cultured family with the possibility of marring someone of two or more races. I am excited about the idea of my children and grandchildren growing up in an even more diverse society because I feel that they will be exposed to more culture and the growing population portion, I just pray that the jobs will grow as well so that we do not have a huge population with high unemployment rates because of lack of jobs. So with this information, I plan to steer my children and grandchildren in a direction where their education will beneficial to always having a job in a high demand field.

A Class Divided

After watching the video "A Class Divided," Frontline (1995-2014). A Class Divided. Retrieved from http://http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/divided/etc/view.html, I had so many mixed emotions. I am a black woman, so to see a demonstration that was a class full of white children with a white teacher teaching them about prejudice and discrimination had me with mixed emotions. I find the teacher Jane Elliott admirable for what she did because she was an individual conducting this demonstration for positive reasons and not for self gain.What I liked about the video is that you have this white woman that took it upon herself to create a demonstration to each third graders about prejudice and discrimination. That in itself I like because this is a woman that was from a town and teaching in a town where the majority were white individuals. She wanted these children to have true knowledge and a encounter of discrimination in a way that they would really understand. I also liked in the video how they also applied this demonstration to adults because it showed the difference in the understanding of the situation. Children are more impressionable than adults. I have to honestly say that I did not like how in the video when Ms. Elliott did the demonstration with the adults how the white woman that was in the blue-eyed group that was being discriminated against said, "You don't have to be black or Jewish to feel discriminated against..." Though this is a true statement, it still showed that she did not understand true discrimination. She is a white woman that wakes up white everyday that is not targeted or looked down upon because of the color of her skin. Though she was the one being targeted in this discrimination, she will never truly understand the pain that us minorities feel and have felt. With her being a white woman she will never understand a black persons problems and struggles of being looked at and treated lesser just because of the color of our skin. I was not surprised of how the blue eyed children treated the brown eyed children. They are children and children are impressionable. Once the teacher taught and embedded in their mind that just because they had blue eyes they were superior, there was no doubt in my mind that they were going to belittle and treat the brown eyed children like trash. That is how racism, discrimination, hatred was formed because individuals felt that they were superior than another group of individuals and had the right to mistreat them and began teaching this hatred to others and their own children. I feel the scenes that I will still remember a month from now is the how the children treated each other just because they felt they had a since of power, the statement that the blue eyed lady made that was being mistreated, saying that you don't have to be black or Jewish to be discriminated against, and the response that the brown eyed lady had in response, and the statistics that showed that because the one group that was being treated superior did better on the learning exercises than the group that was treated lesser. I feel that these scenes will stick out to me even a month from now because I find all of these things remarkable. Though this was a demonstration that was developed because of mark on history which was the assassination on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., these are still issues that we face and will continue to face. Racism, discrimination, and hatred are still alive, if it wasn't then we wouldn't be out here still having to show that BLACK LIVES MATTER.