Week Off....

I think we need a week off from homework!

If you did a good job on last week's piracy topic (100 points)...
enjoy this week off.

If you missed last weeks blog or want to spiff it up...
take the extra time to get it done this week.

Happy Holiday...

MsK  :)

(S6) Internet Piracy

Computer piracy is a controversial issue with modern technology. 



  

LOOK at the links provided BEFORE you comment

Money is lost by musicians and producers because music can be acquired for free.  Money is lost by developers and designers because software can be downloaded for free. Money is lost by actors and movie companies because film is copied and distributed freely. Websites like "The Pirate Bay", "bittorrent" and "utorrent" offer free downloads and share files to anyone who visits their sites.

So what do you think?  Look at this Infographic Look at these quick Facts

1. In the past, people bought blank cassettes and blank DVDs and copied music, software and movies onto them. What did you think of that? Right, wrong? After all, why sell blank DVDS if you were not going to copy something?

2. What about now?  Is Pirate Bay cool? Software is so expensive. Pirate Bay is free.

3. Do you think the consequences of pirating or filming copyrighted motion pictures are fair? Some of the penalties have been up to $ 250,000 in fines and up to 10 years in prison. Are there clear consequences for copying or pirating material? FBI Charges MegaUpLoad

4. What if you were a musician, movie maker or software developer trying to make a living? How would you feel if you created an amazing game that took you months to create and after you put it on the market to reap the rewards... everyone just shared it for free? What would you propose to happen then? Would you try to get a ban against those sites on the Internet?

5. What do you think the future looks like regarding this issue.... for artists and...for pirating?  Great link: All Songs Considered / Hot & Trending

6. What are SOPA and PIPA? Do you agree / disagree with these policies? Why?

(This is a combination of two student blog entries) 

 ➡ NOTE: Please don't comment with ideas off the top of your head! DO some RESEARCH.

(S5) Bitcoins

Bitcoins Explained

Bitcoin interview with Bruce Wagner

1. How do you think the increasing use of Bitcoins will change the way we handle money in the future? Identify some potential good features / bad features.

2. Would you use Bitcoins now that you know how they work? Why or why not?

3. Had you ever heard of bitcoins before this blog?

(S4) Web 3.0

Web 3.0 – What will it look like? Is it already here? It’s always difficult to tell just where we stand in terms of technological chronology. But if we assume that Web 1.0 was based only upon hyperlinks, and Web 2.0 is based on the social, person-to-person sharing of links, then Web 3.0 uses a combination of socially-sourced information, curated by a highly refined, personalizable algorithm.  HUH? 

1. What are the distinctions of Web 1.0?  Web 2.0?  And what really is Web 3.0?  What is 3.0 also called?  Research and put these ideas in your own words!
2. Do you think we are experiencing any signs of web 3.0 right now?  If so, what are examples of 3.0 now? 
3. How might Web 3.0 change our lives?  Good?  Bad?  

(S3) ipad Controlled Home

1.  Check out this video.  Would you like to live in a home like this? Why/not?  What are your favorite and least favorite features?

2.  Are there better ideas using this technology or is the Savant home the best?

Compare other systems

3.  What add-ons or modifications would you make?


4.  How hard is this to design and build?  Do you think you could do this... someday?

Setting up an automated home

(S2) New Tech

January is a big month for New Tech.  The CES 2013 is usually the debut event for new gadgets, media electronics, digital devices, and more.  It's always exciting to see what's out there!  I've combined  two GenYES students blog entries here, but several more  "new tech" ideas will appear in future blogs.   Have fun exploring!

1.  Check out these "new tech" devices first and compare the two.  Which interests you the most?

Hands Free Video Call Headset The Hands-Free Videophone captures the user’s face with three cameras in each of the left and right sides of the frames. The video sent to the other person is created by combining the pictures with a pre-rendered 3D model of the users face. 

HUD Google Glasses  These glasses have a front facing camera used to gather information and could aid in augmented reality apps.  It will also take pictures.  The spied prototype has a flash- perhaps for help at night, or maybe it was just a way to take better photos.  The camera is extremely small and likely only a few megapixels.


2.  Check out some other new technologies launched last week.  Which items do you think will significantly impact our lives?  Which ones do you personally like the best?  

1.  CES 2013

2.  New Technology 2013

3.  Popsci 2013 

(S1) Paper vs. Digital

Is this the end of paper?

• Paper or Tablet?  What's best for young children?
• Paper because...
• Replacing paper: ipad
• Do students prefer digital over paper textbooks?

1.   From the links above, list the good/bad points you discovered for using paper   -vs-
      good/bad points for using digital devices in school.   (The paper videos are funny!) 

2.  What's your opinion, as a student for school use?  Paper or digital device?  Why?

3.  Assume the role of a teacher.   Pick a subject you would teach.   You want to implement the best learning environment possible for your subject.  How would you ideally equip a classroom of 40 kids? How would your present your lesson?  How would the kids perform the task you give them?  How would you test them to see if they 'got it?'   

Welcome Back!

:: Happy New Year ::

The next post starts the series of blog topics written by you!  

I have combined a few similar blog entries so more students can reap the benefits.   Also, I've modified a few blog entries.   At the end of the semester you will have an opportunity to guess who wrote each blog. So put on your sleuth hat for a prize package of: free lunch, 50 points, noble recognition and world wide fame... if you are the closest guess in May! 

Students Take Over!

Last blog of the year by MsK!  

The next blog will be yours!

1.  Review all the blogs from this year.  Comment below on your favorite and why you chose it.  (No don't do Thanksgiving or other freebies!)  Follow blog rules for this question.  (50 Points)


2.  Write the blog for next year!  Go here.  It's all yours now.   (100 Points)

New Technology

This week you will be presenting some new and innovative technologies to use in the classroom.

Check out some new technologies developing in the world today.

• 23 Incredible New Technologies

• 15 Hot Technologies that will Change Everything

• Gizmag

1.  After investigating all three sites, comment on the two or three ideas that impress you the most.  Try not to repeat a previous post.

2.  What are your ideas to inspire teachers to use more technology in their teaching?

Note: Don't confuse new technologies with gadgets.  We'll explore cool gadgets next month (just in time for holiday shopping).  Pick the topics you discuss this week based on "making a difference' in life in some manner.