Emerging Technology

Part of our standards are to investigate emerging technology. This semester we asked students to find a news article about an emerging technology and blog about it.

Tiffany found and article on body-adapted wearable electronics...

Photo Source

http://www.digikey.com/en-US/articles/techzone/2012/feb/energy-harvesting-moves-into-wearable-electronics

The whole idea of this body wearable electronics is to make peoples lives easier. It helps people with their health and their everyday life. They also camouflage with their everyday wear so therefore its comfortable to wear and easily blended in to what they are wearing. A temp. tattoo that tracks health vitals and haptic shoe soles that communicate GPS directions through vibration alerts felt by the feet. to me that just seem absolutely crazy how something so small can do so much work without even taking up as much space as you would think it would need to properly work.Technology is becoming more and more advanced everyday.

http://forumblog.org/2014/02/top-ten-emerging-technologies-2014/#wearable-electronics

Brianna found an article on robotic dogs 

                                                                        Photo Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1czBcnX1Ww  

It looks scary, and maybe even a little intimidating, but really it is a scientific marvel. BigDog is a robot designed to be able to handle rough-terrain such as ice, snow, gravel, mud, rocks and water. Although it does not run very fast (a measly four miles an hour) it can carry up to 340 pounds on its back and scale a 35 degree incline with ease. Created by Boston Dynamics, BigDog is basically an extremely advanced hydraulic system. With legs designed like an animal's, it is the size of a small mule or a large dog. On board, BigDog has a computer system that keeps it balanced and centered, and allows it to move around without stumbling. While BigDog sounds a little freaky, and maybe even crazy, it is designed to eventually aid in army battle. This is wonderful because it keeps living creatures such as dogs, humans, and horses from the battlefield. For example, if a soldier was wounded and stranded in a place where it was not safe to send another soldier out, BigDog could jog out and retrieve that soldier. There are many uses for BigDog, but the military seems to have a very good use for him. However, there are some limitations to this fascinating robot. For example, he is not very quiet. If used in combat, the opposing side will almost automatically hear his robotic legs jogging over. Another limitation would be that he is not very fast. There is a more agile robot that can gallop at speeds of around 16 miles per hour called WildCat, but it is not nearly as durable as BigDog and cannot hold as much weight. It is also significantly louder. However, with a few minor changes, BigDog will most certainly be used in future combat and hopefully keep many lives safe in battle.

http://www.bostondynamics.com/robot_bigdog.html

Digitally Literate means...

The name of our course is Digital Technology Literacy aka Diggitech. During the Quarterly Assessment we asked students to explain what it means to be digitally literate.

Ben said...

Being Digitally Literate means several things. The first thing is that the person knows the search terms and names for internet persons, like Data Aggregators, and filter bubbles. It also means that a person knows the laws and rules of the internet, like copyright and other means. Finally, what it means to be Digitally Literate is to know whether or not a website is safe, and reliable for research and information and to know that the internet isn't safe overall for much personal activity.

Brianna said...

Being digitally literate means to know how to properly use the internet to do research and searches. It also means to have discretion online. This means having a good digital reputation, practicing your due diligence, and creating a good cyber self in general. Do not do what you would not want others to do to you. For example, if you did not want somebody to hack into you Facebook account, do not go hack into somebody else's account. Another example of having a good sense of digital literacy is knowing how to use your tools to do research. It is knowing how to bookmark and highlight using apps such as Digo. Digital Literacy is knowing how to use online databases such as EBSCO and Gale.

Matt said...
To be digitally literate means to be able to use your computer, your phone, the internet, and all other electronic devices responsibly and purposefully. You should know all of the proper terminology associated with digital literacy. On top of that you should actively practice good Cyber Etiquette, due diligence, and respectful behaviors towards other online users.

Rob said...
When we say someone is digitally Literate. Do we mean that they can read digital information like a book. Or do we mean that they understand technology for what it is today. The Definition that if found in a question was that Digital literacy is "the ability to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information, requiring both cognitive and technical skills". So Digital Literacy is the ability to use Technology as well as the internet to search for, evaluate, create  and communicate information. Requiring that you both think and know how to use said technology.

Online Privacy is an Oxymoron

Our class looked at the misconception of many adults and teenagers that what one does online is private once the privacy settings are adjusted. We read excepts from Lori Andrew's I know Who You Are and I Saw What You Did and Eli Priser's The Filer Bubble and examined Exif data on photos. As part of the Unit evaluation we asked students to explain why Online Privacy is an Oxymoron...

                                                                       Photo Source: SaFoXy's PhotoStream

                                                                       http://www.flickr.com/photos/77068017@N07/6779368830/

Rob says...
Online privacy is an oxymoron because nothing we post online is private and once it is online it is there forever you Once information about you is on the internet it is near impossible to get  the information off the internet. If an embarrassing picture of you from when you were in college is posted online by a so called friend and they tag you in it. Even though your profile may be private If you are applying for a job you could not get that job as a result of web lining. When the employer does a background check on you they are allowed to check your social networking profiles without any permission because there are no laws to protect the consumer. 

Emily says...

There is no such thing as online privacy. Everything you put online is public in some form. All privacy security options CAN be hacked and wherever you enter information on a website than someone else does see it whether its the person who created the website or someone else who is a product of the website as well.

If you enter in your Facebook profile that you're favorite book is Harry Potter, despite the privacy setting, Facebook still suggests pages for you to like or posts ads on your newsfeed because it knows you're information and its not private. No matter what your privacy is, Facebook knows your favorite book is Harry Potter because you told it.

21st Century Research

We began the course by giving students the Final Project. The idea was that all the skills and tools we taught would be taught through the content of the final project.

At the beginning of our 21st Century Research Unit, we asked students to screencast themselves searching as a baseline of skill. We used 21st Century Information Fluency to create a "Search" pre-assessment. At the end of the unit we asked students to teach someone how to do 21st century research based on what they had learned during the unit.

                                                                    Photo Source: A life too ordinary blog                                          

http://shootingellie.blogspot.com/

Brianna struggles as many students do by not planning their search query and simply typing the whole question into search engine. 

http://www.screencast.com/users/bri090/folders/Default/media/2d46c383-f411-44cb-9741-e2ce6bc237ba 

Megan who successfully completed the Search Pre-Assessment in 4.30 mins, provides the best strategies for successful 21st century research. 

http://www.screencast.com/users/MPerry14/folders/Default/media/68629783-29ac-410f-8241-b1a9ed71734d

Is My Cyber-Self a Reflection of My Real-Self?

This lesson gets student's unnerved. As part of our Digital Citizenship Unit, we explore the concept of Digital Reputation, and it's easy to give opinions about other's online habits, but once we ask students to explore their own digital reputation, the class gets tense. We ask students to gather up all their social networking posts for the last month (Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Vine, etc.)  this represents their cyber-selves. Then we ask them to ask their parents, siblings, three friends and one teacher/coach to each give three words to describe them, this represents their real-selves. Then we ask them to use Wordle to create two word clouds, one for each side of them. They then analyze the word clouds and reflect: 
 
Is my cyber-self a reflection of my real self?

Alana Doesn't think so...

Real Self:

Cyber self 

Is my cyber self a true reflection of my real self?

I think that my cyber self is not a complete true reflection to my real self. I think that because some of the things that are posted on social media websites are not how i really am. My cyber self does things that aren’t as thought out sometimes and don’t reflect how I truly am. However, I am nice to pretty much everyone on social media just like how i am in person. Therefore, my cyber self is a true reflection to my real self to a certain extent. However, I think that at times some of the things that are posted on my facebook, twitter, tumblr, etc are not how i really am in person. For example, if someone only knew me through social media and had a conversation with me, i think that they would be surprised how different I am from how I am on social media. They would be surprised in how energetic and friendly i actually am, in person rather than on different social media sites.

Rob thinks so...

Realself:.

Cyber self:

Is my cyber self a true reflection of my real self?

I believe that my Cyber self is a true reflection of my real self. I don’t do a lot of social networking or social media so when i do do social networking it is usually only for stuff that is important in my life. It also might be something that is important to me. I don’t act any different when im online then when im offline. I don't tolerate people harassing other people whether it is online or if it is offline. I will stand up for my beliefs and defend them. I argue with others online the same way i argue offline. I also make friends online. I believe that you should act no different online than you do offline. You should give people the same amount of respect and decency that you extend to them offline.

Digital Nation

The PBS FRONTLINE film "Digital Nation" provides a provocative look at how technology is transforming the lives of Americans.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/digitalnation/view  

  What impact did the film have on you?


Alana had a strongly personal reaction...
  After watching the documentary called “Digital Nation”, I was very overwhelmed with the different things that I was hearing. One of the things that really triggered a response for me was when they said that there were people and children dying from their addiction to computers. Being adopted from South Korea this was a very surprising thing to hear. It is very sad that there are children and people so addicted to a game that they don’t want to walk away from the computer to get food or water to keep themselves healthy. The parents in S. Korea were also clearly very disturbed and there were organizations started for kids, taking their electronics away from them for two weeks however, many children that went to the organization were not very affected. The addiction to the computers has started at a young age in South Korea, teachers are teaching young children around the age of 6 about the basics of the computer. I think that this is a factor to children becoming addicted to the computer and different games etc. However, not all children that went to the camp were very affected. Some children said that they didn’t think that anything was going to change when they got home. Clearly, this is a recurring issue that will continue until there is something more drastic done.


Brianna's reaction is based on her future plans...
Over the years, technology has surged. Millions of people rely on technology to get through their everyday lives. Some people use their iPhones, some people use a computer. However, there becomes a point where it can become a serious addiction. For people who have a hard time being social and going out in public to actually make friends, video games are an easy way for them to talk and interact with other people. People with social anxiety often find comfort in hiding behind a computer screen because they do not have to worry about interacting with others face to face. Despite all of the good that technology has given us, I believe that it is still extremely important to have live face to face interactions with others. For example, I will be attending XXXXXX College in the spring to study psychology and become a child psychologist. Therapy sessions would not work with the use of using virtual worlds because the therapist needs to observe the physical and mental behaviors of the client. In a 3D setting, there would be no visible emotions and the client could not be helped. Too many video games are not good because they take away from social skills, especially in young children.

America's Password Crisis

America is in the midst of a Password Crisis!

http://www.clubcloudcomputing.com/2013/01/infographic-on-hacking-statistics/

Our lesson looked at the problem of weak passwords in America resulting in 75% of Americans becoming victims of cyber crime due of weak passwords. Our job is to curtail cyber-crime associated with hacked passwords. Educate America about creating un-hackable passwords.

Brianna has an idea for an un-hackable password...

America is in a password crisis. Millions of people are being hacked by hackers because of the use of weak passwords. Passwords that are "obvious" are more likely to be hacked by hackers...  

Passwords can be made stronger by:

• Including at least 8 characters
• Including symbols
• Both upper and lowercase letters
• Including numbers

A good password can be anything. Choose your favorite player on a sports team. Then, take the letters of their names and include symbols in place of letters, and maybe add the number of your next favorite player. For example: $idneyCro$by33.
This makes it a lot harder for a hacker to find your password and have access to your personal items.