Week 5

What I did and learned in week 5.

For discussion 1 we had to create a facebook group, a ning network, and a pbworks site. Check them out.
http://ed651environmental.ning.com/
http://www.facebook.com/bkatina groups
http://collaboandlearning.pbworks.com/
For discussion 2 we had to read an article from USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2008-12-03-digital-brain_N.htm and give our opinion.
For discussion 3 we had to create a delicious account.
http://www.delicious.com/bkatina

Week 4

This week I learned:
Facebook-Pro: I enjoyed setting up Facebook. I didn’t have to set it up for this class due to the fact that I already use it however it was very easy. I like that you can load photos directly from your cell phone. The con associated with Facebook is associated with the privacy settings. I think that everything should be private until you actually go in and change them.


Ning-Pro: I enjoyed setting up Ning as well. It was simple. The con surrounds the applications. They don’t really detail information as to how to utilize them. You have to go through trial and error but I like the personal aspect of Ning. I like that you can create a network and invite your friends to be part of it.

PBWorks-Pro: I like that you can customize PBWorks to fit your personality. You can change the color of the background, add a logo, and even control who can access the workspace. I don’t have a con for PBWorks at present however as I continue to use it there is a possibility that could change.

PBWorks best fits my ideas and needs. The use of the activity tracker, assignments page, course page, and even the syllabus page will assist me with running a successful class.



Week 4 discussion 2

I do not think that Facebook, Ning, or PBWorks can replace learning management systems at present. Because we live in a world of constant changes it is very much a possibility that it could happen but not at this time. The one thing that stands out when you think of learning management systems is that when you take a quiz or an assessment the system will show you what you missed however your results are sent to your teacher upon submission. With the social networking sites you have the ability to make changes and even delete information that you can’t bring up again. The social networking sites also make information that you post available to the public. I think that PBWorks will probably be the first to compete with other learning management systems because they do have them for educators.

Week 3

This week in class I learned that Facebook offers several applications that can be used for educational purposes. Visual Bookshelf-this application allows you to catalog your books and reading list. The application allows you to see what your friends are reading, write reviews, and recommend books. The application also allows you to meet new people who are reading your favorite book. This application can be used for learning when the students review books that relate to the course being taught and they post information about what the book offers. Trip Advisor-this application allows you to create an interactive travel map to pin the cities, towns, and even suburbs you've visited. The application allows you to see which of your friends has traveled the most! This application can be used for learning if the teacher is teaching about Geography. It can also be used for learning when the students document information relating to the towns they have visited such as the native food, culture, and customs. Amigo-this is a Facebook only application that allows users to safely video chat with random people as well as their friends. The application allows users to engage in a variety of fun activities. This application can be used for learning with students have to do presentations together and have a hard time meeting up because of scheduling conflicts they can log onto Facebook and go into Amigo and discuss the work. My Diet-this application allows you to compare your diet and exercise with your friends. The application lets you see what your friends are eating and doing. The application helps you achieve your diet goals with a food and activity diary, journal, and support from your friends. This application can be used for learning in a health class. The students can load information on healthy eating habits and exercises that may be easy for others to do. I also learned that Ning can be used for educational purposes as well. It features an events tab where you can list things that are to come for example, a spelling bee, science fair, or even a football game. The events tab also keeps track of who’s attending the event. There is a place where you can blog about the events that have passed or even discuss class assignments. Under photos or videos you can put pictures of diagrams or classroom experiments. The members tab will allow all classmates and people in the school to join your network. Different applications can be used for educational purposes as well. PollDaddy will let you create custom polls for the network. Here you can do journal assignments. PollDaddy lets your classmates see what you are thinking today. Also the Work Countdown Clock is a great application because it is a timer. It will countdown the time you have left to get an assignment turned in. You can also view the latest activity which is a real-time update of everything that has happened in your network. There is also a chat application that allows you to see who is online in your network and if there is a group assignment you can communicate in real-time. The group feature is also similar to PollDaddy because is serves as a discussion forum and here there teacher can post a question and the students and respond.

Week 3 Discussion 1

This week in my class we had to review an article about a teacher who made a statement about the school she worked for and she used an ethnic stereotype to classify the school. I was offended by the statement but after I read a comment from one of my classmates I was furious. The comment said that the teacher didn't deserve any disciplinary action. What I want to know is whether or not the comment would have been different if a different ethnic stereotype would have been used.

Collaboration and Learning in a Virtual Environment

So I am in week two of my course at Ashford and we had to create a blog and post a summary of what we learn each week. This week I learned that the term Wiki is a shortened form of WikiWikiWeb. A wiki is a collaborative website whose content can be edited by anyone who has access to it. Although wikis can be edited by anyone who has an account and is signed in you can always see the history. I also learned that you can create wikis for a classroom. I always thought that they were only online but I was wrong. With careful planning by the teacher the wiki can be one of the best tools used in the course. As long as the teacher ensures that communication with the students is effective and consistent the tool will be a great addition to the course.

Tiger Woods Divorce is '100 Percent Happening'

Though Tiger Woods was reportedly hoping to mend fences with his wife Elin after his sex scandal fractured their marriage, it looks like divorce is par for this course. A source close to the family tells Us Weekly, "It's 100 percent happening ... It's going to take a long time to go through. [But] she will go through with it. She is all about being a mom. She will do it slowly and carefully." While Tiger parties in the U.S. -- TMZ found the golfer hanging out backstage during a Nickelback concert in Florida earlier this week -- "Elin and the kids are out there visiting with [Elin's] family in Stockholm," the source says. The friend adds that Elin has ordered "nonstop construction" on her new $3 million home on Sweden's west coast. "She is definitely planning on spending a lot of time there -- they are gutting it ... She and the kids are going to be spending most of the summer there. Without Tiger." Reportedly, Elin has also looked at properties in Florida -- sources tell PopEater's Naughty But Nice columnist Rob Shuter that a full-time move to Sweden is out of the question. "No way would Tiger let Elin leave the USA with his children. You can say whatever you want about Tiger as a husband, but he has always been a great father," an insider told Rob. "He knows his marriage is probably over, but he will never give up on those kids. They mean the world to him."

Michael Jackson's Mom Kicks Grandchildren Out of House

Katherine Jackson has moved several of her grandchildren out of her California mansion, TMZ reports. Michael Jackson's mother has custody of the late King of Pop's three children -- Prince Michael I, Paris Michael and Prince Michael II (a.k.a. Blanket) -- but has also been living with four of her other grandchildren, including two of Randy Jackson's kids and two of Jermaine Jackson's kids. Jaafar, Jermajesty, Donte and Randy Jr. will be moved to a condo owned by the Jackson estate. According to TMZ, the move was prompted by the stun gun incident, where Jafaar brought the gun to the house and allegedly pointed it at Michael's children. However, the family denies those allegations.

Trina Launching 'Amazin'' Cosmetics Line

Miami rapper Trina, whose fifth album 'Amazin'' is dropping on May 4, has announced that she will be launching her own cosmetics line in conjunction with the new album.

The line -- Be Amazin' Inspired by Trina -- will feature perfume, lip gloss and eyelashes all personalized by Trina. The first product to hit shelves this May will be the Amazin' Lip Gloss in "colors that inspire Trina and her undeniable looks on the red carpet, performances or just everyday wear," according to her website. While a free gloss will be shipped with any pre-orders of her new album, Trina's Amazin' eyelashes will not be available until the end of summer release.

Trina previously announced that she is working on a clothing line, dubbed Diamond Girl, for full-figured women. "It's a beautiful line, I've worked with so many different designers that I wasn't too pleased with the work, so I put a stop to it and revamped it," Trina said in an interview. "So now the jeans are actually to fit curvy, bodacious, beautiful women.
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Tupac's Mother Arrested on Drug Possession Charges

Afeni Shakur Davis, the mother of late rap legend, Tupac Shakur, was arrested earlier this month on drug possession charges in Lumberton, North Carolina.

ABC News reports that 63-year-old Davis was nabbed by state alcohol agents and hit with multiple charges on April 16, including felony possession of marijuana, maintaining a vehicle, dwelling/place for controlled substance and simple possession of a controlled substance.

Davis has been released on a $10, 000 bond and will return to North Carolina's Robeson County District Court for sentencing on May 10. The Lumberton native made a name for herself as a political activist in the Black Panthers movement in the '70s. But since her son's death, Davis has remained focused on business and charity endeavors, including founding the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation. The Georgia-based organization helps to provide art programs for children.

Davis' Amaru Entertainment company is currently caught up in a legal battle with film studio, Morgan Creek Productions to gain full rights to the long-awaited Tupac biopic. Amaru Entertainment filed a suit against Morgan Creek in 2009, accusing them of hindering progress with other interested movie studios such as Fox and Paramount.
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Bobby Brown Dispels Death Rumors

R&B crooner Bobby Brown wants everyone to know that he's not dead. The former New Edition frontman made a surprise call into Atlanta's V103 radio station to clear up the rumor. "I'm not dead," he said. "I couldn't tell you [where the story started]. I heard about it yesterday and you know, I brushed it off."

According to reports Brown succumbed to lung cancer earlier this week. Several websites (but of course not ours) ran with the story. Once the news hit Twitter, it all but exploded causing Brown to speak out. "I think that Twitter's getting out of hand. If they kill me off that soon. I don't even Twitter but, at the same time, I'm alive, period."

"People started calling my phone. People started calling me and asking me am I okay," Brown explained. "If you don't see me or hear from me, it doesn't mean I'm dead. I'm just thankful, man. I got everyday to look for."

In recent years, the 41-year old has run into both personal and financial issues. Aside from his very public break-up from Whitney Houston, the Boston native's alleged drug use prompted members of New Edition to kick him out of the group. The group has since reconciled and are said to be prepping a new album.
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Ice Cube to Star in LAPD Scandal Film

West Coast gangsta rap legend Ice Cube will be appearing in 'Rampart,' a new film about the scandal-ridden 1990s Los Angeles Police Department.

'Rampart' is based on a screenplay by revered Los Angeles crime novelist James Ellroy, and is set in the mid-90's, when the LAPD was rumored to have had ties to the murders of Biggie and Tupac.

Cube will be playing an LAPD officer involved with the city's anti-gang program, Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums (CRASH), who were accused of committing shootings, beatings, armed robbery, drug peddling, evidence planting and perjury. The film will also star Woody Harrelson and Ben Foster, and will be helmed by Oren Moverman, director of the Academy Award-nominated war film 'The Messenger.'This is not the first time Ice Cube has appeared in a corrupt cop film; in 1995 he played a similar part in 'The Glass Shield,' which also starred Lori Petty.


'Rampart' is scheduled to shoot in Los Angeles in late August. Cube's documentary about the L.A. Raiders, 'Straight Outta L.A.,' recently premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.
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Gloria Velez Calls Nicki Minaj a 'Gimmick'

Young Money rapper Nicki Minaj isn't afraid of addressing her "haters," but now another peer is speaking up. In an interview with rapper/model Gloria Velez, the former Murda Mami described Minaj as a "gimmick" who simply had the "right team behind her."

"Nicki Minaj, you know like, you can't say [she's] hot because she's the only one out, she's just there. It's a gimmick," Velez explained, adding that Lil Wayne's Cash Money is the driving force behind her career. "If anybody else had put her out, or she was by herself, it wouldn't have popped off at all. No matter how much plastic surgery or injections in the butt."

Velez went on to say that she doesn't particularly enjoy Minaj's music, either. "I don't like her music, sorry. I think she's a gimmick, I think it's real whack, her lyrics, garbage. It's cute and catchy, but it's not hot to me. Some of it don't even make sense, like what is that? She's batting her eyes the whole time on stage. That's not a performance mama!"

Velez, who once had a Cash Money deal of her own, ultimately admitted that she'd probably make the same career choices, if given the opportunity, though she criticized Minaj for her posturing.

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Donald Faison Being Sued Over Building Debt

'Scrubs' star Donald Faison is having a major money matter.

TMZ has discovered that the 35-year-old actor owes $514,657.76 for an apartment building he owns in Inglewood, Cali.

Luther Burbank Savings just filed a suit claiming that the 'Next Day Air' star hasn't paid the mortgage on the property since Nov. and wants permission to initiate a foreclosure action.

Faison apparently paid $525,000 for the building when he purchased it in 2008.

The New York City-bred actor's rep has not issued a comment.
FRM AOL BV

LisaRaye On Why She Only Wears White

LisaRaye McCoy is finally settling back into Hollywood life after a tumultuous and highly-publicized divorce from her ex-husband, Turks and Caicos Premier Michael Misick.

The 42-year-old actress is garnering a lot of attention for her new TV One reality series, 'LisaRaye: The Real McCoy,' a show she confessed she was apprehensive about doing.

"When you're in the midst of filming the show, it's a little over whelming," she confessed to BV Buzz. "It's a little invasive and camera people everywhere and you're like, 'What did I commit to?' But the TV One people have been so excellent. They have been so on it with the marketing and so excited about the show. Their excitement made me go, 'Well wait a minute. If they believe in it then girl you are 100.' It helped me say this was the right decision, this was the right move, it was a business move and I'm excited."
Both on 'LisaRaye: The Real McCoy' and in her day-to-day life, 'The Player's Club' actress typically wears all white clothing. McCoy admits she's heard some crazy theories about her color of choice.

"It's not a method to the madness," she laughed. "It's not because it's religion. It's because one day on the weekend I went out of town and realized I had all white outfits and they looked so crisp and clean. I said can I do this for a week, a month, a year? It's been eight or nine years now. I feel like an angel."

courtesy of AOL BV

Fantasia's Reality Show Renewed

Season two 'American Idol' winner Fantasia Barrino is getting a second season for her VH1 reality series 'Fantasia For Real.'

The show debuted to stellar ratings on Jan. 11, 2010 and now VH1 is planning to rollout a new season of the docu-series later this year.

'Fantasia For Real' shows the 25-year-old singer working towards not being the bread winner for her entire family; while also trying to launch a new CD, complete her high school equivalency test and take care of her daughter Zion.
Courtesy of AOL BV

Mary Mary Singer & Hubby Welcome New Baby

Erica Campbell, of the Grammy-winning gospel duo Mary Mary, gave birth on Saturday, April 24, to a baby boy named Warryn Campbell III. The baby weighed 7 pounds and was born just four days before his mother's birthday.

The 'God in Me' singer is married to music producer Warryn Campbell (Luther Vandross/Kanye West), and this is the couple's second child.

The two also have a 5-year-old daughter named Krista.
courtesy of AOL BV

It's Jail Day for 'One Tree Hill's Antwon Tanner

Today is the day that 'One Tree Hill's Antwon Tanner reports to jail.

The 35-year old Chicago native was sentenced by a Brooklyn judge, last January, to three months in prison for dealing in stolen Social Security numbers.

Tanner will additionally serve five months in home detention after he's released from his stint in jail.

Known by his role as Antwon 'Skills' Taylor on the hit CW show, the promising actor was arrested on April 16, 2009, and was accused by federal authorities of "knowingly and intentionally" transferring Social Security cards "with intent to defraud." He subsequently admitted to selling more than a dozen Social Security numbers for $10,000 to an undercover agent.

His film roles include 'Sunset Park,' 'Coach Carter,' and 'Never Die Alone.'

courtesy of AOL BV

Ron Isley: Mr. Big Released From the Big House

R&B icon Ronald Isley, of the legendary group The Isley Brothers, is home from prison after completing a three-year sentence for tax evasion.

The 68-year-old singer was released on April 13, after a 2006 trial found him guilty of five counts of tax evasion and one count of willful failure to file a tax return.

The 'Contagious' singer requested a reduced sentence for health issues – he cited complications from a stroke and a bout with kidney cancer, but ultimately it was denied because the judge deduced that Isley was a "serial tax avoider."

Isley was also ordered to pay $3.1 million in back taxes to the Internal Revenue Service.

During a radio interview following his release, Isley revealed that he worked in the chapel while in prison, which inspired him to want to record a gospel CD.

"I was working at the chapel, and I did gospel shows every week and that kept me up," he said.

The singer, whose last CD was 2006's 'Baby Makin' Music,' also wants to record a new R&B CD for Def Jam Classics.

"I'm working on another album, and this album is going to mean so much. I've been thinking about it for three years and wondering what it was going to be like and what it was going to be like to sing certain songs. ...And now I've got the chance to do that," he shared, before adding, "Some of the people that I'm working with on this album will be Lauryn Hill, T.I., Rick Ross and Burt Bacharach."

The Cincinnati-bred singer will perform for the first time on May 8 at a concert in Atlantic City and will later appear on the Tom Joyner Fantastic Voyage seven-day cruise, beginning on May 16.
Courtesy of AOL BV

'Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family' Hits the Big Screen in 2011

Lionsgate has announced that director-producer Tyler Perry will reprise his signature role as the straight-shooting Madea in 'Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family.'

The film is adapted from his new stage play, 'Madea's Happy Family,' which is currently on tour in the United States.

"It's very important to me to make movies that audiences can relate to, and I can't think of a more relatable subject than family," Perry said. "I'm looking forward to bringing back Madea and the gang, and I'm glad to have Lionsgate with me for the journey."

"No one makes a big-screen entrance like Madea, and we're very excited to welcome her back with 'Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family.' To us, the title of the film couldn't be more apt. Not only is Tyler a cherished member of the Lionsgate family; his unique brand of storytelling, humor, music and uplift has created a big happy family of moviegoers," stated Mike Paseornek, Lionsgate president of motion picture production.

Perry's 10th film for Lionsgate, 'For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf,' is scheduled to begin principal photography on June 1 in Atlanta. Perry directs his screen adaptation of the Obie Award-winning play by Ntozake Shange and produces alongside Paul Hall. The film's cast includes Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Whoopi Goldberg, Phylicia Rashad, Jurnee Smollett, Kimberly Elise, Kerry Washington, Loretta Devine, Anika Noni Rose and Macy Gray. It is scheduled for nationwide release on Jan. 14, 2011.

Currently in theaters is his ninth film, 'Why Did I Get Married Too?' which stars Perry, Sharon Leal, Janet Jackson, Malik Yoba, Jill Scott, Lamman Rucker, Richard T. Jones, Tasha Smith and Michael J. White. To date, the sequel his brought in nearly $58 million
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Erykah Badu Pleads Not Guilty to 'Window Seat' Charges

Erykah Badu entered a not guilty plea Wednesday (April 28) on disorderly conduct charges for appearing nude in her 'Window Seat' music video. Badu who stripped down to nothing in the middle of Dealey Plaza in Dallas, caused quite a stir once the video went viral. After receiving a complaint from an unidentified citizen, Dallas police decided to go forward with the charges. The misdemeanor citation, which is punishable by a $500 fine was mailed to Badu's house in early April.

Badu maintains that the nudity was not at attempt at indecency but rather a commentary on self-acceptance. "I thought it was a move for women and men and children who feel they weren't good enough," she said in an interview. "'This is just me. I'm good enough.' I felt it was important enough to do. More pros than cons." The 39-year-old, a native of Dallas herself, chose Dealey Plaza because it is one of the busiest places in the city.

The controversy behind the video worked as great publicity for Badu's album 'New Amerykah Part II: Return of The Ankh.' The album was released March 30 and debuted at No. 4 Billboard charts selling 110,000 copies in its first week. Courtesy of AOL BV

Chris Brown Storms Out of Virginia Radio Station

It's become quite clear that Chris Brown has had some trouble getting his career back on track since his infamous assault on ex-girlfriend Rihanna last year, but the Virginia native keeps digging himself into a deeper hole.

Brown was scheduled to make a promotional appearance at Virginia's Q94 WRVQ radio station this week to promote his upcoming Haiti benefit concert in Richmond on May 15. But before the interview could get under way, Brown's anger got the best of him and things quickly went sour.

Radio personality, Kash, explained that Brown was immediately annoyed when he realized the station did not have any of his songs on heavy rotation. "Chris Brown was going to come in today to do an interview to promote his concert. But before we could even get into the interview, homeboy starts yelling at me, wondering why we don't play his records," Kash said. "And I said, 'Mr. Chris Brown ... you just don't have any hits and that's just the truth." From there the conversation, which Kash recorded and can be heard here, went south. "All I'm saying is that you don't play my s---," Brown confronted Kash. "Why am I even doing this interview? I ain't doing this s---," he said before ending the conversation abruptly.

Brown's struggle with airplay has been a recurring theme in recent months. In March, he begged fans to request his songs on their local stations, as he struggled to get his music heard again. Kash, who said that he received multiple apologetic phone calls from Jive Records following the incident, later released a statement on his Twitter account, explaining that he did not tamper with the recording of Brown that he played back to audiences. "For the record, my interview with Chris Brown was posted with the entire amount of audio I got minus dead air, I tightened it up for radio play," he said. "Apparently blogs are thinking I edited it to make homeboy look like a d-----, but no editing can create that level of d-----baggery."

Chris Brown is scheduled to take the stage for his Haiti benefit concert in Richmond, Virginia on May 15. He will be joined by Keri Hilson, Trey Songz, T-Pain, Juelz Santana, Mario and Ryan Leslie. Courtesy of AOL BV