Educ 3412: Computers In Education

Assignment 1. Platforms and Perspectives: Macintosh Operating System (OS) X and Windows XP OS Comparison/Contrast

Description:

This assignment is an opportunity to explore, compare, and contrast current operating systems for Mac and PC computers.

Goals:

• Increase your comfort with Mac OS X and Windows XP operating systems
• Critically think about similarities and differences in the two platforms
• Analyze and reflect on how operating systems and idea/concept maps support teaching and learning

Rationale:

Professional educators spend a great deal of preparation, teaching, and assessment time via technology. It therefore makes sense for technology users to consider the options available to them. On this note, consider the following statement:

"I spend more hours a day looking at and interacting with my OS than I do with my wife, more time looking at it than looking at trees, clouds, the ocean, or anything beautiful--combined! Millions of people log billions of hours in front of their OS's. For the sake of the soul, OS's at least need to be less aggravating, and at best to be things that are a pleasure to the eye and to the soul. I won't make any claims as to which OS I think does this better, but consider this next time you're pulling an all nighter in front of your computer.

--From An Appeal to the Soul: (From http://www.xvsxp.com/final-score/ accessed 9/15/04)

Overview:

• In teams of 3-5 students, explore the Mac OS X and Windows XP Operating Systems.
• Use the suggestions below or go beyond these if you choose.
• Take notes of how you accessed each of the following.
• Also make notes of what each item allows you to do.
• Organize your findings into an Inspiration Software diagram.
• Use an Inspiration Software template via File>Open Template>
  • Thinking Skills>Comparison
  • Thinking Skills>Venn Diagram
  • Language Arts>Comparative Analysis
  • Language Arts>Literary Comparison
  • Or create your own original diagram.
• Whatever you choose, modify the template as you see fit.
• Analyze your findings regarding each OS
• Reflect on uses of Inspiration Software to aid teaching and learning in your licensure/subject area
• Electronically submit one completed assignment for your team (see checklist below for specifics).

Part I: Introduction

1. Using Inspiration Software, create a text box and record your names and 3412 section.

2. Create a new text box and define "operating system." Use a technology reference, but translate the definition into your own voices.

3. Create an original OS analogy (OS is to computer as __________ is to _____________).

Part II: Comparing and contrasting operating systems

Recommendation: The following OS Tutorials provide help in understanding operating systems.

• Macintosh OS X
  • Help>New to Mac OS X>For Windows Switchers
  • OS X Tiger tutorials
• Windows XP
  • Help and Support>What's New in Windows XP/Microsoft Interactive Training
  • Windows XP tutorials

1. For each item below, compare and contrast how to access each item and what each item allows a user to do.

1. Using OS help
2. Using System Preferences/Control Panels
3. Modifying Desktop/Screen Saver
4. Modifying OS Appearance
5. Modifying Display Resolution/Settings
6. Using Apple Menu/Start Menu
7. Modifying Dock/Task Bar Contents
8. Using View Menu To Change View Options
9. Expanding, Collapsing, Closing Active Windows
10. Using Find, Spotlight
11. Accessing Applications/Programs
12. Accessing Recent Items/My Recent Documents
13. Using Keyboard Shortcuts
14. Using Control Click/Right Click
15. Using Get Info/Properties
16. Emptying Trash/Recycling
17. Using Restart, Sleep/Stand By, Shut Down/Turn Off
18. Using Force Quit/End Task
19. Creating New Folders
20. Duplicating/Copying Files and Folders
21. Renaming Files/Folders
22. Modifying Appearance of Files/Folders
23. Using Expose/Desktop Button
24. Locating Documents/My Documents
25. Ejecting/Removing Peripherals, Storage Media, etc.
26. Other(s) such as:
    • Accessing Widgets/Accessories
    • Modifying Keyboard & Mouse/Mouse Properties
    • Modifying Sounds/Sounds & Audio Devices
    • Changing Default Applications/Programs
    • Comparing OS's Proprietary: Web Browser, Media Players, Image Software, Email, etc.
    • Receiving Software Updates/Automatic Updates
    • Locating Hard Disk/Hard Drive
    • Creating and Deleting Application/Program Aliases/Shortcuts

Part III: Analyzing your findings

Explain your analysis of:

1. Notable strengths of Mac OS X.
2. Notable strengths of Windows XP.
3. Notable limitations of Mac OS X.
4. Notable limitations of Windows XP.
5. To what extent are the two OS's essentially the same?
6. To what extent are the two OS's importantly different?

Part IV: Reflecting On Teaching and Learning

1. How might you use concept mapping or idea mapping software to enhance learning in your areas of licensure/subject areas? Be specific.

Checklist: The following must be accomplished in order to have your work evaluated. Incomplete work is returned without a grade until completed.

1. Document is free of spelling and grammatical errors (use Inspiration>Tools>Spell Check or spell check button on button bar)
2. Names, sections of group members identified in document
3. All items from Parts I, II, III are present
4. Save your Inspiration file as UsernameSection.isf (Insert your own username and Educ 3412 section); submit only one file for your entire group
5. On due date, please submit your group's one Inspiration document electronically via Mulberry as email attachment to dglisczi@d.umn.edu
6. Duplicate your Inspiration file and be sure each group member has a copy of it on your UMD MYFILES storage space (Finder>Go>Connect to Server>MyFiles)

Evaluation Rubric: Your work will be evaluated on form, comparison/contrast, and analysis/reflection.

Friendly challenge: Evaluate your own form, comparison/contrast, and analysis/reflection by using evidence from your work to classify each item as beginning, developing, accomplished, or exemplary. This type of critical reflection may have powerful effects on your learning about technology, assessment, and self-knowledge as an emerging educator.