During the first week of CD-315, we were given several tasks to familiarize ourselves to particular computer functions that we will use throughout the semester. We got connected to several programs that will allow us to communicate with each other throughout the semester. These communication connections are essential for obtaining assignments, gathering and exchanging information, and interacting with both the teacher and our peers. Our online connections are the only way that we will be able to communicate with each other during the semester and as we all know communication is imperative for learning. This weeks assignments included: reading essential class material, acquire a Marshall username/password, acquire an email account, email some technical information to the teacher, join the yahoo 315 group, email an introductory message to members of the 315 group, browse the class website, create a weblog, email the weblog URL to the 315 group, read articles and reflect on them, and finally reflect on the week’s work.
On June 10,2002, all of the members of CD 315 met to discuss the class and some of the things we will do during the semester. After a brief discussion, the class went to the library and met a library worker named Jennifer. Jennifer educated us about the online library. She gave us different ways to gather information just by using the computer. When she was finished, Mrs. McComas introduced us to the class website and how to interact with MOO. Before we left class, we decided to meet in the MOO every Tuesday at 12:45. Mrs. McComas also told us that we would meet in MOO at 12:45 the following day. Unfortunately, I was unable to meet the class on the MOO site, but I visited it at a different time. Getting connected to MOO was fairly simple. We were emailed a username and password that we were to use. All I did to connect to MOO was get on the class website, click on the MOO icon, and then enter the username and password that was previously emailed to me. I was the only person in the MOO room so I did not get to practice using some of the commands. I will get practice using them during the next online meeting.
The next three assignments were very easy. The first one was to read various information. Next, I had to have a Marshall account, which I already had. Finally, I need to email some technical information to the teacher. Because I was already familiar with using email, this was very simple. (The teacher’s email address was proved.) The next item on my to-do list was to get connected to the yahoo 315 group. I thought that all I had to do was respond to an email invitation. I responded to the invitation, filled out all the necessary information, then if asked for a confirmation number. Here is where I got confused. I didn’t have a confirmation number; at least I didn’t think that I did. I decided to check my email because the screen said something about resending the confirmation number to an email address. I did not see any information about a confirmation number in my email address. I resent the confirmation number and rechecked my email messages several times and still didn’t get anywhere. I began to get really confused and aggravated so I decided to turn off the computer and give up for the day.
The next day, I checked my email. I looked in my junkmail folder because I hate for it to stay so full. Inside my junkmail contained my confirmation number. After receiving the confirmation number, I redid all of the steps for joining the yahoo group. This time it was easy and I was in the yahoo group within several minutes. After I was apart of the group, I sent an introduction message to all of the members.
Next, I decided to browse the class website. Actually, I visited the class website several different times throughout the week because it changes so frequently. Then, I decided to look at the assignments online and click on the link to create a weblog. This assignment was also fairly easy because I have very detailed instructions throughout the process. Once the weblog was created, I emailed my blog URL to the class. The rest of the assignments for the week involved reading and reflecting, which I am all too familiar with due to previous McComas classes.
There are many ways of utilizing the web. Before this week, I was completely unaware of using anything other than email. Obviously, I knew that these things existed; I just did not have a clue about how to engage them. I am computer iliterate. I know absolutely nothing about computers. I use them to type papers, email messages, and look at different things on ebay. I cannot look at anything on the Internet without having a web address or using a search engine. It amazes me to see people who know how to do anything that they want on the Internet. My boyfriend, for example, can do anything on the computer. He gets aggravated with me when I ask him how to do something because I ask about 10,000 questions per step. If the information that I used this week is all I take from this class, then I have already gained a lot. But to be honest, I am looking forward to learning how to find different types of information. As Mrs. McComas mentioned, there are people who are afraid to click icons and try different things on the Internet. Unfortunately, I am one of those people. I do not know why I am like that, but I am afraid to try unknown things on the computer. Actually, I am afraid that I will mess the computer up. I really hope that I can stray away from that mode of thinking by the end of this class. That is the one thing that I really hope to take away from this class.

In addition, I just wanted to add some of my personal concerns. There is only one phone line in my household. The Internet is connected to the same phone line. When someone is on the Internet and someone else consistently calls, I can get bumped off the Internet. I am sharing this so that the class will be aware of this if there are talking to me in the MOO room one minute and then I am gone. If this should happen, I will reconnect as fast as I can. Another concern I have is a selfish one. I really hate to do the same work twice. This just happened to me. I typed out my journal on my blog when I was disconnected when I reconnected and tried to save my work it was gone. I do not know what I did but I lost every word that was in my previous journal. The other journal was a little better than this one but I am so aggravated right now that I have to stop writing. I hope this works better this time. I hope that this journal gets put on the weblog.