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Good/Bad Website Smackdown

Forever 21 and Zara are two popular fashion retailers, each with distinct approaches to online shopping and overall user experience. Forever 21 has a visually cluttered and difficult-to-navigate website. The homepage features too many options, with text and images competing for attention, which can overwhelm the user. The layout isn’t particularly cohesive, and product categories are often hard to find. The search functionality is subpar, making it difficult for users to quickly find specific items. Furthermore, the site has some issues with responsiveness, particularly on mobile devices, which can lead to a frustrating shopping experience. The checkout process can also feel clunky, with several steps and unnecessary fields that may confuse users. While the prices are generally affordable, the site’s poor design and user experience make shopping feel less enjoyable. On the other hand, Zara offers a much more polished and user-friendly website. The layout is clean and modern, with h...
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Technology Blog #4: Learning to Learn and why it applies to College Student Affairs

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Chapter 3 of The Connected Educator: Learning and Leading in a Digital Age is "Learning to Learn" and states that real change in education starts with conceptualizing oneself as a learner prior to conceptualizing oneself as an educator. Chapter 3 starts with anecdotes of how early, informal learning experiences sparked a lifelong passion for independent learning. It argues that knowledge cannot be trapped in old walls but is conceived as a free-flowing, ongoing process from love and curiosity. The main points argued are the necessity to construct knowledge, the need to "unlearn" previous assumptions, and the need to embrace new modes of thinking that are responsive to an interdependent, global world. In short, in order to be a successful 21st-century teacher, one has to first become an eternal learner. Applying this to the practice of college student affairs, Chapter 3's focus on learning is one that closely relates to the daily practice of student affairs prof...
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March 18th Web Tool Smackdown

GroupMe is a free group messaging app that allows users to create, join, and manage group chats via smartphone or desktop. It's commonly used for quick, organized communication in academic, social, and professional settings. GroupMe supports text, images, GIFs, polls, calendar events, and file sharing, making it a versatile tool for collaboration. Users can mute chats, react to messages, and create subgroups for more focused conversations within larger communities. As a student, I would use GroupMe to coordinate with classmates on group projects, study sessions, and assignment reminders. It serves as an informal, real-time communication channel that helps foster collaboration outside the classroom. As a higher education professional in college student affairs, I would use GroupMe to engage student leaders, share event updates, and maintain ongoing communication with peer mentors or orientation teams. It’s particularly helpful for reaching students where they are—on their phones—a...
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Social Media Etiquette

  https://youtu.be/4jhaWVN6_YM?si=A_uyzLWijOXk5Qr8 Here is my video! I had to post as a youtube link as it was too long.
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Technology Blog #3: Using Tools to Support Connected Learning

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Chapter 5 of Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach's book "The Connected Educator" is about how digital tools facilitate connected learning. The chapter introduces Web 2.0 technologies such as blogs, wikis, podcasts, and social bookmarking and how they can enhance collaboration and participation. The chapter categorizes these tools into five broad categories: documenting and archiving learning, connecting and collaborating, social networking, extending learning beyond the classroom, and managing online reputation. By making correct use of such tools, teachers can optimize teaching and staff development. For student affairs and higher education professionals, these concepts are particularly relevant in enhancing collaboration and student involvement. Technology allows for the creation of professional learning networks (PLNs) that allow faculty and student affairs professionals to share research, collaborate on ideas, and stay up to date with best practices. Video-sharing websites and disc...
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Technology Blog #2: Building Your Connected Learning Community and why it applies to my future career choice

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Chapter 6 of The Connected Educator: Learning and Leading in a Digital Age explains how to create and grow a strong learning community. It highlights the importance of building relationships based on trust, shared goals, and active participation. The chapter introduces the idea of a Personal Learning Network (PLN), which is a group of people who support each other’s learning and growth. It also explains how to design an online or in-person space where people can collaborate, share ideas, and develop new skills. Over time, these communities evolve as members bring in new perspectives and adapt to different challenges​. The ideas in this chapter connect well to a career in college student affairs, which focuses on supporting students and creating an engaging campus environment. Just like educators build learning communities, student affairs professionals help students connect with each other and find opportunities for leadership and personal growth. They create support systems through s...
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Google Calendar App Smackdown

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Google Calendar App Smackdown Google Calendar is a powerful tool for organizing and managing schedules, both personally and professionally. As a cloud-based service, it allows users to create events, set reminders, and sync their calendars across multiple devices. With features like color-coded events, task lists, and the ability to invite others to appointments, Google Calendar provides a versatile platform for keeping track of meetings, deadlines, and important dates. It also integrates seamlessly with other Google services, such as Gmail and Google Meet, making it easy to schedule events, share documents, and communicate with colleagues or classmates. With its intuitive interface and flexibility, Google Calendar is an indispensable tool for staying organized and efficient. As a college student affairs professional, Google Calendar will be invaluable in managing my busy schedule. In this career, I will be responsible for coordinating programs, advising student organizations, and over...
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