Internet Giants Collide

Facebook has exploded in media attention in the past few weeks reaching 500 million users, the release of "The Social Network" movie and a seemingly evolving trend shift from 'informational' to 'social' web searches.

Read this short paragraph. Notice the date:

Why Google Should Fear the Social Web

Google has been an Internet leader for many years.  So what's going on here?

Facebook vs Google

Google vs Facebook 

Facebook's Future Plans

Google's Future Plans 

 

This might strike you as a little crazy especially since some of you may not even have a Facebook account!  

Assignment: 

Read through all 5 links above before answering the questions.  Most are short!

1. Do you think Internet use is changing?  Yes or No.  Why?  Cite specific references to the readings (or provide new links) to support your answer. 

2. How do these buttons factor into all this?

3. Predict how the graph will look for Google vs Facebook for the next 5 years. (Don't let the one article totally sway you!)

4. How will this affect YOU in your future use of the web?

Company blogs: 

Google

Facebook

Worrisome Websites!

Below are 10 strange websites.  But some are stranger than others because a few of the websites below are totally fake! The info is totally wrong and the whole website was designed to fool you!  But...hey you are GenYES you won't be tricked!  Right?  Your task is to determine which ones are real and which are fake.

Part 1.  Make a list of the sites.  For example:  Fake = 1, 2, 3..  Real= 4, 5, 6..

NOTE: You can fool your pals here by posting bad information and then re-posting a revised list at a later time!  This assignment is all about foolery! Make sure your final list is the real one though because you will be graded for "right" and "wrong" answers out of the ten websites.

Part 2.  Give an explanation of how you determined which ones were real and which ones were fake. 

Part 3.  What is the "lesson" of this assignment?

The Websites:  

1.   Giraffe Mania

2.   Fishcam

3.   Northwest Tree Octopus 

4.   Pantagonian Mara

5.   Safe Cloning

6.   Leafy Seadragon

7.   Angora Rabbit

8.   Pen-Tailed Tree Shrew 

9.   Floral Body Sculpture 

10.  Havenworks

Tech Term Story Jumble!

Below are 40 tech terms that are quite common in various arenas of the tech industry. 

Your challenge this week is:

1. Pick 3 terms from the chart below and identify clearly in your own words what they mean.

2. Write a little story and connect how your 3 terms could work together.  Be as crazy as you like, but your story has to make sense based on the correct definition of your terms.  Have some fun with this! 

Check the blog entries before you.  Each term can only be used ONCE!

Click here for clearer image of chart

Tanner, Ian and Emily... you have all earned a “Free Homework Pass.” Congratulations on doing ALL the levels!  Great Job!  You can use your pass this week or another week this semester.  You must send me an email by the Saturday deadline specifying "I'm using my homework pass" to earn the 50 points. 

Spirit of Discovery

Fun homework!  Is that possible?

Hoshi Saga game.  Lots of critical thinking and discovery!
Here is the workaround if you are at school: Hoshi Saga Safe

Your task this week is to play the Hoshi Saga game and discover the stars in each row which will open up all the squares with the ? marks.

Uncover all the ? marks in the first level.  You must also collaborate in this blog with your colleagues by leaving (at least) one hint below about any star box.  You can also submit questions on some of the tough ones if you want!

Accomplish all the ? marks* and one comment hint in the blog and you are done with this weeks homework!

Challenge!  If you choose to go on and complete the next levels, the top player will receive a free homework pass for next week!  All homework entries due by Saturday Midnight!  See note below

Submitting your homework entry: Take a screen shot of your final board. Try to catch the score at the top.  Email it to me.
 
dkovesdy@pvschools.net

* (if you fail to complete a row thus leaving a ? mark = -5 points per ? each remaining on your board)

Have fun!

PS It used to release new levels when you completed the board.  Now they are separate and actually different too!  So if you want to do the "Challenge!" here are a few more levels:

Hoshi 2
Hoshi 3
Hoshi 4
Hoshi 5 

That's it!

Battle of the Bands Conundrum

Check out the short story of this high school videographer:    Newman's Story

1.  Do you think she did anything wrong?  Explain.

2.  Theoretically...what about the money for the sale of the tapes/CD's?  Who should get a cut?

• School?  
• Performers? 
• Metallica? 
• No one! It all belongs to Newman

3.  21st Century students have cameras in hands fairly often.  What things should students consider when shooting video to avoid a visit to the principal's office? 

4.  How does YouTube factor into this discussion?

5.  ONE WORD ANSWER -> Do you think digital citizenship should be taught in the school curriculum?

The "Physical Web"

It's the future of the web. It's happening now. You might be using it.  What is it?

Read this story:
Physical Web: How Apps Can Move Atoms and Bend Time

Download and watch this short PowerPoint:
Physical Web by Shasta Ventures

Ubercab, Nike+iPod, Webkinz, Gowalla  are four examples of Physical Web applications.

Your blog entry this week is to pick a physical web application.
NOTE: You may pick one of the examples above, but no one can duplicate an entry.  So you will have to read the blog entries before you!


1. Describe a physical web application and how it works relative to this equation:

2.  Describe how you or someone you know would use it specifically.

3.  What is your apps potential to grow, expand services over time?  How do you think it will happen?

As always, please number your comments.

mac vs pc

A geeks favorite controversy!  Your task this week is to approach it from both angles.  Pick two of the newest comparable products and compare a feature of each.    Be sure to number your responses.   Pick different features for 1 and 2.

1.  MAC vs pc.  Sell me a new mac based on a wonderful feature that a new pc is inferior.  Specify exact models and OS and fully describe the feature.

2.  PC vs mac.  Sell me a new pc based on a wonderful feature that a new mac is inferior.  Specify exact models and OS and fully describe the feature.

Check out this link...
mac vs pc

File name formats

A filename extension is the data to the right of a file name.  This extension tells you properties of the file and often what application it will work with.  Some file extensions only work with certain operating systems.  Read about file name extensions:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filename_extension

Explore File Names Examples:
http://www.fileinfo.com/
http://www.file-extensions.org/


You will be providing 3 comments.  Please number each one.


1.  Name a file extension that only works with Windows/Microsoft products. What would be an analogous file for mac? (10 pts)

2.  Name 2 graphics or image files.  Which ones are the most compatible in most operating systems? What are the reasons you would pick this image file or not pick it? (20 pts)

3.  Explore the example sites above.   Discover an interesting extension that you've never heard of but think you might use it in the future.  Why does this file interest you and how do you think you will use that app?  (30 pts)

GenYes International

Visit the GenYes International website and get a sense of the the big picture.  Watch the movie.  Explore the site and read an article or two.  Comment in your own words why this concept for schools is so successful.  How does it impact teachers at SMHS?  What role will you play?