(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.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Take the week off from homework and enjoy family time!

I am thankful ...  for you!  (See below)

Comments optional!  

Social Networking in School

What if the administrators of our school district unblocked all the social networking sites to everyone at school?

Read the questions below, but before you answer, do a little research, read through a few of the links and cite your references.  Consider all the people at school involved:  Students, teachers and administrators.  

•  Case for social media in school         
•  When do students and teachers cross the line?
•  Online Social Networking
•  Social Media: The Bully's Playground
•  Facebook for preteens, a bad idea?
•  55 Fun Infographics about Social Networking



1.  What could be the advantages or benefits of opening up all social network sites at school?  

2.  What could be the bad effects or dangers of this decision?  

3.   How could teachers use social networking in their classrooms? 
(YOU are GenYES be creative!) 

4.  Simple Yes or no!  (Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages to open up social networking?)