Now that we're halfway though the course, I see more and more how what we're learning and will continue to learn can impact what I do in the classroom. Being a Business Education teacher means I spend a lot of time with computers.
One thing that I come across that seems to continue to be an issue is viruses. Last year, we had a virus attack our entire lab and was unable to use it for 3 days. Working in a lab sometimes has it's downfall because there are some things that I am not allowed to fix because I don't know how or because I don't have the permission to. These situations leave me between a rock and a hard spot. It makes it impossible to get things done with my students and also get my own work done.
There are a few other teachers in the building that have PC labs who face the same situation as I do when it comes to viruses. Nothing worse than having to find something for 125 students to do and explain to them why they can't use the computers. I have told my students that if they turn on the infected computers that it will spread to all in the building and we'll be without them for days! Obviously not likely, but it works!
I'm hoping with the help of this course, not only can I learn how to fix some simple virus problems, but also gain the confidence to be able to assist others in fixing their situations. Also, I'm curious to find out more about where viruses originate and how they can manage to do so much harm in so little time. I get that some people are evil and find it "fun" to create such disease for computers, but it is still baffling that in such a small amount of time some viruses can wipe out all information.
Oh the world of viruses!!
Hi Allie-Viruses and how to prevent them is a huge concern, especially in a school setting where groups of children are the main users. I would assume that your school is on one big network, which would then open up the entire school to issues if something should get picked up. I am sure it is frustrating in those situations when you have to shift gears and go from a computer driven lesson back to the more traditional pen/paper. I guess your backup plan at school will not only include security and storage, but also alternate lesson plans in the event of a disaster! :) Good luck, and I hope you are able to take what you are learning about viruses back to the work you do in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteHey Allie... I too am baffled by what would drive someone to spend a good amount of time, energy and, in most cases, a substantial intelligence in computer code writing on something that is both malicious and lacking in direct gain (I am not aware of many of these viruses that are tied to profit!). Being in the military, I am pretty vigilant about who I am getting information from. I don't want to be the weak point in our cyber-terrorism safety net! But I could, almost, understand the motivations of a hacker - attempting to break into something that seems impenetrable. But to cause massive destruction for the sake of causing it is, as you said, baffling!
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