Saragib’s Weblog

 After last week’s failure to download the open source version of Photoshop, I had to force myself to actively try out other open source software. Once I did, like almost everything in this class, I am truly amazed by what is out there. It is incredible what you can do when you know what is available.

On a practical level, OpenOffice seems to be just as accessible as the Microsoft version. In addition, it comes in a huge variety of languages. I can only imagine how this would transform a foreign language classroom. The ability to compose and edit papers, on the computer, in the language you are learning makes routine writing assignments seem more relevant. With email, students can communicate with native speakers and other students learning the same language. Teachers could even ask students to blog and respond in the languages they are learning. It is almost overwhelming to think about how the availability of this software would have transformed my learning experience in college. Even today, I am pretty excited about being able to download and use a Russian version of OpenOffice to brush up on my very rusty language skills.

I found the article to be a really good guide to some of the things that are out there. The OpenCourseWare concept is really cool. It strikes me as a great way to encourage lifelong learning. I am often curious about issues that come up during the course of the day, week, etc. but rarely get the chance to go to the library, check out books and follow up. For example, I wish that I knew more about the history of the Middle East so I could make more educated evaluations of news, policies, etc. Searching through the OpenCourseWare options, I found and downloaded a class on Islamic Societies offered by Notre Dame. In addition to a wealth of information on the topic, the class materials included the backgrounds and biographies of the teachers so that students can evaluate where they are coming from on a particular issue. I don’t know that I would ever complete a whole course online but it seems like a great, additional resource for gaining information on a topic.

With all of these possibilities the challenge for me is how to use these resources constructively. Every one of these tools opens up the world a little more and while it is exciting it is also a little disconcerting. There is so much to do and so much that can be done that sometimes I feel a little lost . The fact that I can read a lecture on Islam while downloading OpenOffice in Russian is really cool but at what point do I just stop, reflect and process things. All of these cool things, the internet, Facebook, podcasts, etc. take up time in my day. I am not anti-technology and see many benefits to them but to insure that my priorities remain in balance I feel they demand active accountability and self-reflection on my part.