Neal Dennis

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• Week 2
  1. Educational Technology paper:

     Professional Organizations
     Non-Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA)
     NCOA
     
     This site provides current information on what has happened in Washington, D.C. and around the country and how members can let their thoughts be heard by those that make decisions. Interested individuals can gather information from hundreds of web-sites related to military, government or defense subjects easily accessible through this site.

     I personally am a member of NCOA for the simple reason that military personnel, even though we work for the government, often feel alienated from the system. By being a member I get reduced rates on certain items i.e. merchandise and insurance, and I also get a voice in the U.S. Congress that is listened to by many. These things though small in comparison to the system we work for do give the enlisted military member a realistic powerful channel to voice his or her opinion.

  2. Curriculum resource:

     Curriculum Resource
     Sikorsky Helicopter Website
     Sikorsky

     This website would be beneficial to all newly assigned aviation personnel with Military Occupational Skill (MOS) identifier of 67T-utility helicopter mechanic/crewchief. The website gives a brief history of how the concept of verticle flight was tackled by its founder, Igor Sikorsky, at the turn of this century. It gives examples of how their aircraft are being used in day to day situations by use of a news letter that is accessible through their website. Also they inform the reader that the aircraft in use today are not stagnant in their development but are being modified and that totally new and inovative aircraft are bing designed to meet tomorrow's mission as well.

     The website also has a "Recruiting" section that list skills needed by the company to fill real positions within the Sikorsky organization. This in itself would show young soldiers that the job skills they have acquired so far and continue to develope are marketable after they leave the military. The only downside to the site is that the virtual cockpits of several aircraft are still under construction and have not been updated sice July 1997.

     Regardless of this one fault, which in time will be corrected, this site can be a valuable teaching tool to the newly assigned soldier in Army aviation. It gives them a foundation to build on and direction in which to aim.

  3. News article:

     Technology In The News
     Internet, Video and E-mail Are Coming To Your Car

     Automotive research and developers at France's Peugeot Citroen and the computer chip firm Intel are teaming up to bring the driver of the future full computer access by simply using their voice. Not only can drivers get a "heads-up" on the way to work by downloading specific news items that interest them, they may also review information that could affect their business day. When traveling, these on-board computers also could allow the kids in the back seat to watch videos or play games all while wearing individual headsets, possibly making the trip quieter.

     The computer-equipped car of the near future would also be safer according to developers. An on-board GPS (Global Positioning System) and voice activated software would allow for hands-free direction assistance without fumbling with maps. Police and emergency vehicles could also be notified if an airbag deploys or if the car owner activates an alarm in case of theft. Such advancements, though unheard of several years ago, will only add an additional $1500 - $2000, starting price per system per vehicle. This price increase, says Intel group general manager Ron Smith, is worth the added bonuses of e-mail, video, and internet access all in your family car.

     For additional references related to this topic access website http://www.excite.com/ (area, Sci-Tech; title "Internet, Video and E-mail are coming to your car" by Neal Boudette.)

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• Week 3
  1. Educational Technology paper:

     PROFESSIONAL JOURNAL
     Soldiers Magazine, On The Net or Off

     Reliable information has been and always will be critical to completing a task or operating a business , and that statement is true with the military . Though not a business per say but an operation that lives depend upon. And a reliable place to get accurate information , for over 30 years , on a monthly bases in the U.S. Army has been "Soldiers Magazine". Now that same information is accessible on the Internet at (www.dtic.mil/soldier/sep97/index.html).

     Soldiers Magazine is a simple publication , relevant information concerning the soldier ( i.e. pay charts , award auhtorizations , base housing improvments ) is compiled and the magazines are sent out to Army units world wide , free of charge to the troops. Whether at Ft.Bragg , N.C. or deployed to Bosnia every effort is made to deliver one magazine per every seven troops. Now that this same information is available on the Internet with the option of down-loading past issues , no further back than 1994 , soldiers in every command can feel that they are in touch with the rest of the military. Text can be viewed on your home computer with or without photos just by clicking on the corresponding icon. The photos take longer to down-load but add to the overall story and look of the magazine.

     In all the magazine gives good reliable information that cuts through the political jargon of the day and tells the soldier what he or she needs to know to stay competative with their peers and where they might be deploying to in the future.

  2. Curriculum resource:

     Curriculum Resource
     THE NEW FM 22-100

     There are three basic FMs or field manuals that enlisted soldiers study for all boards or exams. They are FM 25-100, 25-101, and 22-100. This year FM 22-100 "Army Leadership" is being rewritten to put more emphasis on character building in leaders. Says Lt. Col. Cranson Butler, co-author of the new FM, "The revised manual focuses on character because Army leaders have a tremendous responsibility to the people they lead and to the American people they serve." The new manual will also consolidate five current manuals and one DA pamphlet on various aspects of leadership.

     Co-authors Lt. Col. Butler and Lt. Col. Tim Challans emphasize that the revision is not the result of recent sexual misconduct incidents in the Army. These changes to the FM were considered in early 1995. Butler continues, "Leadership, despite all of this great technology, still remains the same - influencing and motivating people to get the job done."

     This newly revised manual, though essential to every Army leader, will hopefully be more interesting than the last. If it is written in the dry-as-toast format of the others, the changes, no matter how enlightened, will have little affect. For further information, the manual can be downloaded from ftp://160.149.109.31/cal/1dd.

  3. News article:

     TECHNOLOGY IN THE NEWS
     Filters for the Internet, Parents Beware

     Software packages to filter or screen Internet web-sites for questionable material aren't as efficient as writer Brock Meeks of MSNBC reported a few weeks ago on their web-site. Since that time the writer has reversed his opinion that today's filters are an easy fix to the seedy side of the Internet. Meeks writes that he was under the assumption "that such software can be tweaked or manipulated so that only pornography gets filtered, thus allowing the gamut of the Internet information to be accessed." This process is far more difficult than the writer first imagined.

     Most of the filtering software contains encrypted databases of "objectionable" web-sites that the manufacturer deems inappropriate. There are two problems with this system. One, which are the "inappropriate" web-sites chosen and two, do the consumers really want a software producer controlling what comes into their house via the computer? For myself the answer is no; I'll be the judge of what is considered objectionable in my home. Whether it's music, television programs, or computer use, the owner or parent should have the final say on what is allowed in the home.

     As for children accessing questionable sites while at the public library, the librarians can construct "front end" navigation tools. This enables the user to view many sites of interest while screening unsuitable information. The ultimate responsibility of ensuring a moral society, however, continues to lie with the parent and not with a government agency or computer chip.

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• Week 4
  1. Educational Technology paper:

     GRED 614 W3P1 "ED. TECH"
     NEAL DENNIS

     E.R.I.C. JOINS THE MILITARY

     The Educational Resource Information Center (ERIC) is a nation-wide educational reference center founded in 1966. ERIC is the world's largest source of educational information that is supported by the US Department of Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement and the National Library of Education. ERIC can and is being used by educators and students of all ages and interest. By accessing their 16 subject-specific clearinghouses and support components, via the computer or the monthly ERIC Digest, interested parties may review bibliographies, research summaries, computer searches and referral services.

     The clearinghouse that interested me was the "Adult, Career, and Vocational Education". This clearinghouse gives information about students in the vocational fields of study. Since my degree is in Industrial Technology with a major in drafting and I'm currently a squad leader in Army aviation this clearinghouse seems to be the most useful to myself. Not only does it have information on young rural students, where I hope to teach, I also found an article titled "Teaching Adults: Is It Different?" by Susan Inel 1995. The article discussed several types of adult teaching technics and how adults perceive education at their age and economic level. Some of these teaching styles could be used in the military since we do get a wide variety of social and economic backgrounds enlisting in todays Army.

     ERIC though at first not intended for the military can easily be used to help train our troops. And even though the military's curriculum is structured, teaching technics can always be improved.

  2. Curriculum resource:

     GRED 614 W3P2 "CURRICULUM RESEARCH"
     NEAL DENNIS

     WEBSITE 7-2 SOCIAL STUDIES

     Mrs. Ross has constructed a fun and very graphic learning website for junior high Social Studies students. The site at http://users.gisco.net/users/toross would seem to more than meet the requirements set forth by the NY State Standards for Social Studies. Students using the site are able to dig as deep as their curiosity permits them because Mrs. Ross' site is also linked to other websites of related information.

     Requiring the students to also use traditional sources for collecting information, as stated in the Vision and Objectives statement, will also be less intimidating to students who may not be as gifted with a computer terminal as they are with a card catalog.

     In all this site looks like a fun way to learn and parents should feel comfortable with the content since they too can access the information anytime they wish.

  3. News article:

     GRED 614 W3P3 "TECH IN NEWS"
     NEAL DENNIS

     EUROPE SEEN LAGGING IN INTERNET RACE
     (Yahoo News - Reuters 22 Sept. 1997)

     Companies in Europe seem to be falling behind in the information technology race says US technology consultant Patrick McGovern, chairman of the International Data Group (IDG), who spoke in Paris at the European Information Technology Forum. Mr. McGovern said countries like South Korea, India, and Indonesia are in the forefront of Internet/computer awareness, followed by US companies, thirty percent of who believe that the Internet offers unlimited electronic commerce to the consumer of the future. Only sixteen percent of European companies appear to be preparing or concerned about home computer shoppers of tomorrow.

     If there is a downside to this for the US then it escapes me at this time. Maybe stores will quit sending out tons of junk mail trying to drag shoppers out of their houses to spend money. People will get e-mails instead, easily deleted. Roads will not be clogged with bargain hunters every weekend searching for the cheapest prices. Instead the information highway may be filled up from time to time, if that happens buy a faster PC with a redial function.

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• Week 5
  1. Educational Technology paper:

     GRED 614 W4P1 "TECH IN ED"
     NEAL DENNIS

     ON SECOND THOUGHT; USING NEW COGNITIVE RESEARCH IN VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
     ED # 27269986

     The learning theory of "Learning Styles" by definition of "an approach to learning that emphasizes the fact that individuals perceive and process information in very different ways,"1 seems best to describe how I help to integrate them into the military and my outlook on people in general. This learning theory actually asks not "Are you smart?" but instead "How are you smart?"

     Learning Styles explains the different ways people gather, receive, process, interpret, use and recall information. The article gives a few examples on how to teach students using this style of instruction, in a way that they may be better and more proficient learners throughout life.

     "This new view of learning has given rise to the concept that learners are not passive consumers of information , learners determine what they learn by the decisions they make; therefore in adequate learning is due to inadequate decision making."2 I myself treat all arriving enlisted personnel to the unit this way. They're adults, they choose to enlist in the Army and they are big enough for the responsibilities I give them while in the unit.

  2. Curriculum resource:

     GRED 614 W4P2 "CURRICULUM RESOURCE"
     NEAL DENNIS
     DIFFERENCES IN "HAWKS"

     This resource area will definitely be a part of my website if I can arrange it in the way I'm hoping. The information I found was in the Sikorsky website at " http:// www.sikorsky.com/" and is under the programs area. In this area, interested aviation personnel can read for themselves the differences between the UH-60A, UH-60L, and the MH-60K; all US helicopters in the service at this time. In each aircraft's description, of three to four pages, are its listed characteristics. Included is its available power, maximum cruise speeds, engine differences and maximum weights.

     This website will be a good reference for UH-60 crewchiefs in training. Though all 67T come out of Advanced Individual Training (AlT) knowing basic aircraft maintenance, and I stress basic, they all must be trained to prepare and fly with their assigned aircraft. To accomplish this task they must know their aircraft and be familiar with its limitations and restrictions.

     This site, though no way close in comparison to the aircraft's detailed - 10 manual, could be a friendly introduction to the Blackhawk.

  3. News article:

     GRED 614 W4P3 "TECH IN NEWS"
     NEAL DENNIS

     WHEN SEEING IS NOT BELIEVING
     ABC NEWS.COM
     22 SEPT, 97

     As in George Orwell's novel "1984", a one time hero is now an enemy of the state and is removed from the pages of history. All photographs are altered to incriminate him, and all papers reflect only his guilt. In the past it may have been difficult to achieve this without being noticed but with today's technology it's very easy for the computer literate.

     Even early in this century photos were altered to entertain, distort the truth and to harm another's reputation. The Soviet Union, under Stalin, had thousands of so-called unpersons. In America, political parties used altered photographs to get their agenda voted into the government.

     Unlike the past where powerful bodies converged to create the type of truth they needed at the moment, today creative people with reliable computer and a piece of software like "Adobe Photoshop" can fool millions of unknowing citizens. Forrest Gump can shake hands with President Kennedy, Oliver Stone can tell us how President Kennedy was assassinated and how a cover-up happened or Fred Astaire can dance around with a vacuum cleaner as in the commercial.

     Entertainment is one thing, but we should be aware of these advancements and not be lulled into believing every piece of information handed to us by the media or their creative computer counterparts. Every advancement in communications has had its propensity for misuse but today's danger is different. People will not start doubting every piece of news their exposed to, but how do we as a culture differentiate between what is true and what is not?

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• Week 6
  1. Curriculum resource:

  2. Portfolio:

     PORTFOLIO "WISH LIST"
     GRED 614
     NEAL DENNIS

     1. Training location, time, and course title.

     C-10th Avn. Regt. Hanger, M-F 0700-1700 (Night Shift 1530-2300) UH-60 Aircraft Phase Maintenance.

     (Phase Maint. on UH-60's is a 500 aircraft hour inspection that involves a complete tear-down, inspection, and reassembly of the aircraft.)

     2. My role as trainer.

     As a aviation squad leader my job is to prepare, coordinate, and guide the work flow so that the work is done quickly, safely, and right the first time. The training we do for the troops is job vital, not only on the military side but also on the aviation side.

     3. Anticipated Outcomes

     To train all of our soldiers to be able to preform common to complicated task on the aircraft with confidence whether supervised or on their own crewing an aircraft.

     4. Target Group.

     All soldiers of the rank of E-1(private) thru E-5(sergeant) in Army aviation.

     5. Ed. Tech. To Help Accomplish This Task.

     Assorted military / aviation websites, aviation videos produced by the manufactor or the military, and technical manuals.

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• Week 7
  1. Educational Technology paper:

  2. Curriculum resource:

  3. News article:

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• Week 8
  1. Educational Technology paper:

     GRED 614 W5P1 "TECH IN ED"
     NEAL DENNIS

     HANNAFIN AND PECK DESIGN MODEL

     This simple three step model is what I use mostly to identify and correct problems in my squad.

     1) Needs assessment phase - All 67T10 level aviation soldiers need to know how to look up, identify, and find any part needed on the aircraft that is in for repair. The part may be on the units "bench stock" or may have to be ordered through the supply system.

     2) Design phase - soldiers are given specific tasks on the aircraft that are not time critical and requires both bench stock items and parts to be ordered. Soldiers are monitored by their squad leaders to ensure work is completed in a reasonable amount of time. If any soldier has problems with any part of the task, the squad leader will assist where necessary.

     3) Development and implementation phase - After a squad leader is satisfied with the progress of his soldiers they will be given individual tasks to complete on the aircraft that have to be done in a restricted amount of time and still be in accordance with all safety precautions. The completion of the task is solely the responsibility of the individual soldier, but at all times the squad leader will monitor job performance.

  2. Curriculum resource:

     GRED 614 W5P2 "CURRICULUM RESOURCE"
     NEAL DENNIS

     VIDEO MOVE

     While viewing Module 5 to pick a non-computer item to write about, I chose video because there are hundreds of helicopter videos I thought I could easily talk about and use for the paper. But while I was on the Internet looking for specifically 3-D video I found an unusual website that uses the Internet to try to bring about a more democratic world.

     The main purpose of this website is to show mutual interest between the alternative media movement organizations and how they can help promote democracy on a global level. Many of these media activities around the world face obstacles such as restrictive legislation and distribution regulations that hinder their development of video articles and website pages.

     Myoung Joon Kim at the Labor News Production in Seoul, South Korea is the executive director of the website and welcomes all users who are active in democratic audio visual medias whether in news broadcasting or not. This group also welcomes all like websites and ask that they be e-mailed so that they are aware of their existence.

     Though I wasn't able to completely research the group to be sure of their motives all the areas I went to concerning them showed no malicious intent in their organization. I feel that if video can teach, demonstrate and maybe even help democracy grow in otherwise less-lucky countries then this website can possibly do a lot of good.

  3. News article:

     GRED 614 W5P3 "TECH IN NEWS"
     NEAL DENNIS

     VIRTUAL REALITY GOES NUTS AND BOLTS

     This article written by Gene Kopowski brought me up to date in an area I thought architects had already ventured into, it was about virtual reality being interwoven into the design and construction of a building. True, I've been in the military for eight years, but I thought CAD (computer aided drafting) had already advanced to this stage.

     The article relates that researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago, along with $100,000.00 from corporations, are developing 3-D software built in C++ and Java script. The software runs on a PC as well as on the Cave Automated Virtual Environment. This is a room-sized VR theater developed at the university where graphics are projected on three walls and the floor.

     This computer program will allow architects to continually change and view their full drawing in 3-D. It will also allow for interested parties in various geographic regions to view and supply input into the development of a project while it is still in the creation stage.

     There will be huge commercial potential if marketed in the right way to architects and designers. In the past architects were usually good artists. With this PC software being able to visualize a project and tap it into a keyboard will be more vital than putting pencil to paper. This idea will probably not sit well with more than a few architects but it probably is the wave of the future

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• Week 9
  1. Sounds:

     beeth.wav

  2. Pictures:

     
     

  3. Network:

     

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• Week 10
  1. Flowchart:
     
     Gantt chart:

     

     PERT chart:

     

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