In Class Blog Sept 26

After a few weeks of doing our group research, I have come across a few ways that the West Nile Virus have been handled. In one of my books, there was an outbreak in New York. Officials, both, local and state wide reacted accordingly. First they treated those who were affected b the virus. They then proceeded to educate the community on exactly what the West Nile Virus is, how to prevent it from getting the West Nile Virus, and also how to treat it if you were to get the virus. I, myself need to do more extensive research on how the virus is passed down from mosquito to human. Where exactly does the virus stem from? By gaining this knowledge, it will narrow my focus down so that I am able to do research on prevention. Help my readers understand when they are most at risk to contract the virus, will bug spray help? I have not had to rethink my question. As a group we are educating on the West Nile Virus and I feel as if it would be appropriate to also educate on prevention. I plan to further research my topic, both online and in the library, so that I am able to have the best available knowledge for our group.

September 24 Hmwrk Filter Bubbles

Eli Parise generated a brilliant presentation on Filter Bubbles. I always knew that the internet and things that we have access to are limited, but I had no idea that our searches and moves on the internet were being filtered and monitored to this extent. I feel as if the filter bubbles plays on both sides of the fence. They are beneficial because they’re able to filter through junk and spam that can bring forth viruses. It also narrows down searches so that we don’t have to file through every webpage that appears after a search. It can be viewed as building a personalized box full of information that picks and chooses what you will need and be interested in when using search engines. The negative side of filter bubbles is that it does not allow you to fully explore the internet. Certain websites and information may be withheld due to your location or a certain computer you are using. Filter bubbles affect academic research in the same way. It withholds information because it may feel as if it isn’t important or will not benefit your research. Some suggestions that I’ve actually done are deleting web history and cookies. The reason I did it is because I thought it would improve the speed of my computer. I had no idea that it related to the filter bubble. I will continue to delete cookies and web history with hopes that it will affect the filter bubble, ultimately giving me the best search results available.

Sept 19 In-Class Blog

What I've learned in this class will relate to the rest of my classes ere at UWG. I will be able to find quality research and recognize which  are scholarly . I'm now able to pinpoint great websites and phony websites. Those that are great are up to date, professional, informative and direct. Those that are phony usually are out of date, poorly constructed, has no author and filled with adds and spam. Learning how to research will not only benefit my collegiate career, it will also translate to the work field when I am assigned to do any special projects that my employer may ask of me.

Citation 9/12/2012 Homework

Howard, R. D. 1., Forest, J. J. F., & Moore, J. C. (2006). Homeland security and terrorism: Readings and interpretations. New York: McGraw-Hill.

1. The book that I chose to do my section of the research gives examples of real life experiences and outbreaks of the West Nile Virus.
2. I believe it is credible because I would be able to relate to their experiences which will enlighten me so I would be able to inform my readers on what exactly the West Nile Virus is and how to go about handling outbreaks.

3. It could be used to answer our research question because it informs me on how a real West Nile Virus outbreak was handle. By me reading and researching I would be able to inform my fellow peers




Link for our Google Doc: https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1BUWgWdCT2No0L-KY86kPnLDhtdtUsW402hI1dFB9Ng0

Gil- Find vs Hugh Schoool Library Search

Gil-Find vs High School Search

I found the Gil- Find beta to be more useful than searches that I've done in High School or public libraries. I didn't have any problems finding the two books i used in Ingram. It took maybe 10 minutes to find both books and i had to go to the second and third floor to get them. In public libraries I feel as if there isn't a system or the librarians do not educate the public on how to use the system if there is one in place.

Sept 10, 2012 Hmwrk.

I used West Georgia's Gil-Find Beta to search for books in regards to my topic of the West Nile Virus. Four books came up in my search that were currently on shelves in the Ingram Library. I chose to review Homeland Security and Terrorism and Beating Back the Devil. I chose to thoroughly read Homeland Security and Terrorism because it focuses on what exactly the West Nile Virus is and an event when New York City had a West Nile Virus outbreak and how officials went about handling the situation. I wold use the book to raise awareness of the virus and some tactics in handling people that may come in contact with it and prevention tips.