Google Docs

There was a time when documents had to be done strictly via software purchased (or borrowed/copied/smuggled/rented...), now through Google Docs you can complete projects without spending a dollar. You can create projects using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel or a nearly identical version. You can also share Docs and have people "collaborate" or only "view" your creation (which is pretty sweet--two thumbs up). I have had a few people send me Docs using this program in the past, and didn't realize until now that they are saved under my account. The "templates" provided are excellent and the ease of use is outstanding. I highly recommend using them (and am even typing this blog w/ it) and think it's a great added feature for Google account holders. I may slowly transition to using it more, although I'll have to make sure I can get online to take advantage of it. In my career I could see Google Docs being used to share team information and in-depth stats, scouting reports and player info., game and travel schedules and more.

Nuggets hold locker-room aide close to their hearts

Nuggets hold locker-room aide close to their hearts

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This story is a must read! I just saw the television version during the halftime of the Lakers/Nuggets game. Very inspirational stuff...

I also took advantage of the Web 2.0 features to link it here... I googled "Nicholas Owens Denver Nuggets" then found the ESPN link to the article. Once I opened the article I chose the "share" option and then sent it to my Facebook and Blogger account. Very cool...

Lightning in the Sky

The night was capped off by lightning and thunder oh my...

Ouch

...it's going to be hard to find a job with just a Sports Management certificate...

I've really enjoyed exploring Google Reader (RSS feeds) and recently updated my subscriptions as part of an assignment in this course which is titled Technology in Kinesiology. If you haven't already, I'd highly suggest taking advantage Google Reader and adding sports page feeds such as the New York Times and the L.A. Times as it truly is more time saving compared to visiting the sites regularly.

I also have a good read for you here from the NY Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/27/sports/27class.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Magic Strike--Lead 2-1

LJ's 41 were not enough to stop DH and the Magic from beating down the Cavs earlier tonight in a 99-89 win.

Social Media in Education

In this week’s assigned reading I started with “Web, Library, and Teen Services 2.0” by Kimberly Bolan, Meg Canada, and Rob Cullin. I found this article interesting and learned about RSS (Really Simple Syndication), Commentary and user-driven rating functionality, Blogs, Wikis, Social networking sites (like Facebook & MySpace), Photo sharing sites (think Flickr and Photobucket), Audio and video sites (like YouTube), Personalized alerts, Interactive Web services (think IM), Personalization and “My Profile” features, and Folksonomies, tagging and tag clouds (like keywords). I enjoyed reading how 2.0 can engage teens through social networking sites in a positive way. “Libraries can create accounts on social networking sites to promote events, garner teen input, and link back to the library home page…Public Library, use MySpace accounts to advertise new books. A social networking site can also be an excellent way to connect with teens by linking to popular authors and teen advisory group members with their own accounts or profiles.”

The second article I will comment on was “Neomillennial User Experience Design Strategies: Utilizing Social Networking Media to Support “Always On” Learning Styles” by Derek E. Baird and Mercedes Fisher. The article touches on the vast amount of technology available for use in today’s modern learning environment. In the article abstract the authors explain “Raised in the “always on” world of interactive media, the Internet, and digital messaging technologies, today’s student has different expectations and learning styles than previous generations. This net-centric generation values their ability to use the Web to create a self-paced, customized, on-demand learning path that includes multiple forms of interactive, social, and self-publishing media tools.” I enjoyed reading about the Duke University program and how it incorporated iPods in 2004 to incoming freshmen to “help encourage the use of technology in learning across all spectrums of campus life.” I can see how this program helped to launch the current way in which many professors incorporate classroom activities onto iPods through podcasts etc. The Duke students “found innovative ways to use the iPod, including recording lectures, taking notes, and downloading audio files from their professor’s course Website.” I have a newfound appreciation for the use of this technology, and recently enjoyed submitting a podcast to the instructor of this course on some current events in sport as well as an upcoming outdoor life program. Now I know what is behind these various applications and can appreciate more the effectiveness as well as personal enjoyment that may be attained along the way (i.e. the current list of podcasts that I regularly subscribe to).

The third and final article I will touch on from this week’s assigned reading comes from Alfred C. Weaver and Benjamin B. Morrison titled “Social Networking.” I again gained some insight on the technology that has changed the platform for learning. I have some previous knowledge of the various forms of social networking sites mentioned but learned a lot in particular about Wikipedia. Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia that I have referenced a few times in papers I wrote in a previous program. One of the things I did not know about Wikipedia is that it stems from a nonprofit organization seeking only “to develop and maintain open content that allows anyone to contribute…” without advertising. Editors are continually monitoring information added to listings and may edit and change what is added or altered around the clock. The reliability of Wikipedia has been questioned and is still a debatable topic. According to the article “Encyclopedia Britannica has released reports claiming that Wikipedia contains more errors than a traditional encyclopedia that experts compile. However, other reports have claimed that Wikipedia is just as reliable as a conventional encyclopedia.”

Incorporating Technology into Coaching/Education

As a basketball coach I can see microblogging as a form of PR... For example, I just blogged about Notre Dame's Charlie Weis and how he is currently using Twitter. The process brings the fans closer to the program's current happenings in a more immediate fashion compared to the typical media coverage. I could also probably see it as a recruiting tool (as well as social network sites such as Facebook and even blogs), a communication device between players and staff, and even family during a busy road trip. As far as a teacher, I think microblogging can be used to inform students of assignments and as a reminder and feedback forum. The possibilities are pretty substantial... One of the points that have been addressed is the privacy of it all and the separation between work and personal time. I believe that microblogging can help and hurt in certain areas—it all just depends on what is made public and who gets their hands on the information.

Podcasts have a ton of potential in the education arena (as discussed in the various assigned articles)—lectures, research info and on and on. Wiki, Flickr, Google Reader, Blogger, and LibraryThing are also great avenues to research and connect with people sharing similar interests—all can be applied to education and coaching. The bottom line is that we now have numerous opportunities to utilize the various technologies explored in this course and apply them to our profession as we deem necessary. The whole idea of attaining a professional degree online is only happening because of sites and feedback forums the 2.0 generation provides.

Chuck Weis is Tweeting

As soon as I opened up my required Twitter account, I decided to follow Notre Dame's head football coach Charlie Weis (who has been on Twitter since March 31st--http://twitter.com/NDHFC). I've really enjoyed Weis's press conferences via the official Notre Dame website (http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/nd-m-footbl-body.html) for some time. The guy is insightful, straight forward, and blunt. He gives great detail into the program and the weekly opponents personnel and schemes. So now CW has been updating fans on the daily off-season schedule of the football team and coaching staff in one of the more popular technology crazes out there in Twitter--which is great PR.

...and we're all praying the team is actually pretty dang good this season too...

If you're interested, here's a recent article from the Detroit Free Press that touches on Weis and his mentioning of the upcoming scUM (I mean Michigan) game on Twitter: http://www.freep.com/article/20090513/SPORTS06/90513071/1054/Irish+coach+Weis+tweets+about+Wolverines

Lookout

Check out this Red Wolf in my yard...

Just playing, it was at the Chaffee Zoo in Fresno. It was a hot day, but a good two hours spent at the zoo...

...and here's a hungry eagle

Technology Hangover

couldn't help but post a song I once heard...

Nice Shot!

Check out this sweet shot from our game at Fresno State back in November. My wife captured this from our digital camera. We ended up losing the game but turned around and won @ San Francisco two nights later.

Ultimate Fighting Teacher

In case you don't have the privilege of reading the amazing Fresno Bee Sports page (chuckle chuckle)... here's a link to a pretty cool story: http://www.fresnobee.com/sports/story/1406172.html

...and he won the fight: http://www.fresnobee.com/sports/story/1408606.html

sacked

It should be interesting watching former Dukie Greg Paulus flop as he plays quarterback at one of the nation's worst football programs in sacks allowed... Go Cuse!

Nice bike man! Where you put the battery?

Check out our new Electra bikes... Now we just need a beach!

ouch!

and the finalists are?

As soon as the basketball season ended in March, I chose to watch every American Idol episode with my wife. It's the first time I've done this. So to put a little sporting twist on it we wrote down our "Final 9" in the order we thought they'd finish....and let's just say I'm redeeming myself after she smashed my NCAA bracket! I've gone 4/6 and have all three of my finalists--1) Danny, 2) Adam & 3) Kris. My wife is 1/6 and has two of her three finalists--1) Danny, 2) Kris & 3) Allison. If Adam or Kris win we're both wrong... Anyway, fun times dog!

Yo Nate!

Today is officially Week #21 in baby Nathaniel's odyssey! Our Dr. is sticking with the due date of Sept. 26th despite the Tech's date of Sept. 13th. Here's a look at the 20 week ultrasound images...

Welcome

...to the Random Walker Ramblings blog! This blog was created to fulfill a requirement in a graduate Kinesiology program. Topics will be of significance and non-significance to the appropriate subject matter. Enjoy