Hackers Attack Facebook

The recent attacks on Facebook users have drawn the attention of the media. The attacks have come in various forms, but all of them have been serious and potentially dangerous to Facebook users. Go to the link below and read the article. Write a reflective comment that shows you have read the article, expresses your views, and addresses my questions.

As you read the article, which of the threats that were mentioned have you heard of? Why do you think people do things like attacking other people’s accounts? If you have a Facebook account, have you ever been attacked or do you know someone who has been attacked? How would you recognize an attack and what would you do about it?

Hackers Attack Facebook Article

iPods for Freshmen

Our school has a policy that prohibits the use of iPods in class. In the United States, some universities will be giving students iPods when they come to school this fall. Go to the link below and read the article. Write a reflective comment that shows you have read the article, expresses your views, and addresses my questions.

What are some ways that you could imagine using these mobile technology devices if you were attending a university? If you were a professor, how would you react to the introduction of iPhones and iPods at your school? What could professors do to make their classes more interesting? How could we use these devices at our school?

iPods for Freshmen link

Profit From Pirated YouTube Clips

Most of us have seen YouTube videos. There are lots of different kinds of videos available to watch at the YouTube site. Some of the videos that have been posted are pirated, though. This week’s article looks at how some companies are using these pirated videos to make a profit. Go to the link below and read the article. Write a reflective comment that shows you have read the article, expresses your views, and addresses my questions.

Is adding advertising an appropriate solution to the copyright infringement problem in YouTube videos? If you were in charge of one of the companies, how would you deal with the problem? What do you think about Video ID technology and its use? How could Google get more companies to follow the practice of adding advertisements to videos?

Pirated YouTube Clips Article

Google offers online personal health records

This week’s blog will be the last for this school year. The article is not long, but it should lead you to think about the social and ethical issues involved. Google is now offering to store personal health records online. There are implications to this that involve security concerns and questions of accurate information. Go to the first link below and read the article. Then, go to the second link and view the tour of Google Health. Write a reflective comment that demonstrates you have read both Web pages and have addressed my questions.

Keeping personal health records on the Web has potential good and bad aspects. What do you think would be the greatest advantage to this system? What do you think would be the greatest disadvantage? What personal information would you be willing to put in your online personal health records and what would you want to withhold? How much control should your doctor have over your online records?

Google Health Article
Google Health Tour

Parents Are Unsure

This week instead of reading an article you will view a presentation that has been converted to a PDF format. To see this file you will go to the assignments section of our course on Blackboard. View the presentation, think about what it says, and write a reflective comment on this blog.

The presentation summarizes a survey of parents that was conducted by Common Sense Media and the Joan Ganz Cooney Center. As you read the results, think about how digital media use relates to you. Which of the parent opinions do you agree with and which ones do you think are wrong? Do you agree with the parents’ opinion about communication and collaboration and how well the Web helps students learn these skills? Respond to the following quote: “Our kids are adapting to change at breakneck speed. Adults who nurture children are trying to catch up to ensure that the new, ubiquitous digital diet is balanced and educational.” What can you do to help your parents? How should we help your parents understand the potential and the risks of digital media? Do you agree with the teachers’ opinions about video games, MP3 players, and cell phones? What recommendations would you make to educate parents and teachers? Can you think of any creative uses for video games, MP3 players, and cell phones in education?

Blackboard Link

Virtual College Fairs

The thought of going to college is exciting. It is a major change in your life and a de facto step toward independence in your life. The preparation for this requires research, resources, and resilience. Going to visit colleges is part of the process, but that can be expensive – especially if you want to visit a college that is far away. One company has a potential solution: virtual college fairs. Go to the link below and read the article. Write a reflective comment that addresses my questions and expresses your thoughts about the topic.

How useful would a virtual college fair be to you? When would be the best time to have one? We missed the fair that was held in March, but there will be another one next fall. Go to the CollegeWeekLive website and look at the information that they offer on their Web pages. Identify some aspects of the website that would be beneficial and some that would not be worthwhile. What do they need to add to make their virtual college fair better? Should our school make students aware of this website? Seniors, even though you probably have already decided on a school, your input would be helpful for those who are coming after you. Would you recommend that students investigate this website?

Virtual College Fairs Article
CollegeWeekLive website

Video gamers keep spending despite downturn

Video games are popular with people of all ages. This week’s article may provide some surprising facts about gamers in light of recent economic changes. Go to the link below and read the article. Write a reflective comment that demonstrates you have read the article and expresses your views about the topic.

Video Gamer Article