“iPhony: Why Apple’s New Cell Phone Isn’t Really Revolutionary.” by Tim Wu
Author Tim Wu assesses the short comings of the iPhone in the article “iPhony.” Wu has no problem listing the numerous problems with this new phone. Although many people have long looked forward to the arrival of this phone, willing to shell out $500 a pop, the shortcomings are already very obvious. As a phone, the iPhone is awesome, as a computer, it is highly limited. Wu states that the phone is not pointless, but it is not revolutionary either, as it so often claims.
The iPhone is limited first and foremost because it can only be used with one carrier-AT&T. Next, the phone is a whopping $500. Another limitation of this phone is that in order to use this phone after the initial $500 spent to buy it, the customer must sign up for a contract that lasts 2 years, and costs anywhere from $1400-$2400 combined for that duration of time. Lastly, the phone can only use the EDGE internet system from AT&T, which is even slower than the old fashioned dial-up service on the personal computer. If this phone truly wanted to be “revolutionary”, it would be available to use with any carrier, would incorporate the X Phone function (allowing it to access whatever carrier has the best service in the area that is being roamed, a permanent roam function, if you will), and would have Wi-Fi access. Even further backward thinking of the Apple mission statement is the fact that only applications approved by Apple and AT&T will function on this phone. The fact that the phone is not open platform, coupled with all of the above listed flaws, the writer believes is proof that this phone is the beginning of the abandonment of Apple’s mission statement, to be a lone ranger offering awesome services to people. They are now too concerned with making money, Wu believes.
I would be interested in seeing for myself how this phone works, since I am still new to the world of Macs. However, I do agree with Wu that the limitations are so massive that I would not spend $500 to obtain this phone. $500 is an unreasonable price for any phone, especially one that only works with one carrier, requires such an expensive contract, and has terrible internet service. If Apple really wants this phone to be successful, they will quickly solve these problems.
1. Will the closed platform function of this device limit its popularity and functionality?
I believe that this limits this device very much. Part of the marketability of the less used Apple systems is the fact that they are open platforms. Almost any document made on a Mac can transfer over to a PC. In reality, we all know that this is a PC driven world. And if Apple wants to survive in such a world, they need to have open platform on all of their devices.
2. How could this work in the classroom?
This could help students to access a virtual classroom, grade books, class email, and class blogs on the go. It would be extremely helpful for students to stay up to date on classes. For college students, they would be able to find out the moment it happened that a class had been cancelled or that a pop quiz was going to take place in 20 minutes. It would definitely benefit the educational community. Teachers could stay up to date on important educational issues as well.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Journal #8
“Google Spy: Zooming in on Neighbors, Nose-Pickers, and Sunbathers with Street View.” by Michael Agger
Google has introduced yet another new feature to their ever expanding world on the internet. They now have a tool that will show you a picture of a specific street. This picture will include homes, apartments, businesses, cars, pets in windows, and people walking down the street. It even has a zoom option, so that if you can’t quite make out the breed of that dog, you can get an up close and personal view of that golden retriever.
Some individuals argue that this new tool of Google’s is stepping way over the line when it comes to privacy boundaries. Google’s argues that they have only taken pictures of objects on public streets, things that anyone walking down the street could say. The company has made an effort though to ensure some level of privacy. The site has a page where one can report things that should be private. The company also works with organizations such as domestic-violence shelters to keep them safe.
Although I agree that with the author that this could be a useful tool for future scholars, I do believe that Google does not have the right to do this. People do have a right to privacy. Individuals who are under federal government protection could be at risk if they are photographed outside of their homes. I think that Google should make an attempt to make things as safe as possible. For example, if you get a picture of a license plate number, just crop it out of the picture digitally. If Google really wants this new tool to become popular, they have to make as much of an effort as possible to make it trustworthy in the eyes of the public.
1. How would this apply to the classroom and learning environments?
This could prove to be an exceptional tool for students. For a student studying the pyramids of Egypt, they could get an exceptional view and tour of the pyramids without ever leaving their homes or school. A student who wants to see the Eiffel Tower up close and personal could do so. This would be a wonderful tool for students and teachers alike.
2. Should this new tool be moderated by someone other than Google?
I think that if Google can not ensure the safety of individuals or not for profit groups such as the domestic-violence shelter, that they should be monitored by an external group. Putting any individual’s safety at risk unnecessarily is unacceptable. Therefore, it is our duty as a society to make sure that a private company as Google does not overstep its boundaries and take liberties that it does not have.
Google has introduced yet another new feature to their ever expanding world on the internet. They now have a tool that will show you a picture of a specific street. This picture will include homes, apartments, businesses, cars, pets in windows, and people walking down the street. It even has a zoom option, so that if you can’t quite make out the breed of that dog, you can get an up close and personal view of that golden retriever.
Some individuals argue that this new tool of Google’s is stepping way over the line when it comes to privacy boundaries. Google’s argues that they have only taken pictures of objects on public streets, things that anyone walking down the street could say. The company has made an effort though to ensure some level of privacy. The site has a page where one can report things that should be private. The company also works with organizations such as domestic-violence shelters to keep them safe.
Although I agree that with the author that this could be a useful tool for future scholars, I do believe that Google does not have the right to do this. People do have a right to privacy. Individuals who are under federal government protection could be at risk if they are photographed outside of their homes. I think that Google should make an attempt to make things as safe as possible. For example, if you get a picture of a license plate number, just crop it out of the picture digitally. If Google really wants this new tool to become popular, they have to make as much of an effort as possible to make it trustworthy in the eyes of the public.
1. How would this apply to the classroom and learning environments?
This could prove to be an exceptional tool for students. For a student studying the pyramids of Egypt, they could get an exceptional view and tour of the pyramids without ever leaving their homes or school. A student who wants to see the Eiffel Tower up close and personal could do so. This would be a wonderful tool for students and teachers alike.
2. Should this new tool be moderated by someone other than Google?
I think that if Google can not ensure the safety of individuals or not for profit groups such as the domestic-violence shelter, that they should be monitored by an external group. Putting any individual’s safety at risk unnecessarily is unacceptable. Therefore, it is our duty as a society to make sure that a private company as Google does not overstep its boundaries and take liberties that it does not have.
Journal #7
“In Your Face: How Facebook Could Crush Myspace, Yahoo! and Google.” by Christopher Beam
This article was both highly amusing and very informative. It addresses the short comings of the social network called Facebook and contemplates how the site could improve to the level that it kicks other websites out of the running for most popular social network. Facebook, the article explains is similar to the kind of website that Myspace is. That is, Facebook is a website for people to get together, blog, comment on each other’s pages, and spend hours messing around. However, Facebook is far behind when it comes to user friendly options and features that enhance the pages functionality.
Facebook has neither of the two important functions that make Myspace so user friendly, that is e-mail and instant messaging. The author of this article, Christopher Beam, explains that these two functions are crucial to the survival of Facebook in a internet culture that looks for both ease and multi-tasking ability in a website. Facebook, Beam argues, also must improve the visual appearance and the level of customization of its page in order to attract a crowd that basis their use of social networking pages solely on these two concepts.
The author points out that the best feature about Facebook is that it is not spam infested like Yahoo! or Myspace. It also does have many amusing tools such as a grafitti writer to mark up a friend’s page or a wallet to manage online bill payments. This unfortunately, is not enough incentive for internet users to switch over. Therefore, Facebook will have to change its site and improve its marketability in order to kick Myspace and Yahoo! out of the picture completely before they merge and kick Facebook out.
I have never used Facebook myself, but currently use Myspace. The author is right about the fact that Myspace, as well as Yahoo! are completely spam infested. I also use Yahoo! as my primary email account, and am constantly getting spam emails. This is the worst part of both of these sites, is the spam. I would definetly use a social network like Facebook if it had more features, was more user friendly, and was more visually pleasing. I have received Trojan horses from Myspace before that have almost taken out my computer. So at this point, I would be open to any new, virus free social network with e-mail capability.`
1. How is this relevant to education?
This is important topic because it is important to know how technology is being used by students in today’s world. When an educator understands how students use technology and the internet, it is possible for them to utilize that source, such as Myspace or Facebook to communicate with their students and/or parents.
2. How could I use a tool like this in my classroom?
I could use Facebook much like a class blog. I could create a virtual classroom for my students in which they can see their classmate’s pages, check up on extra credit assignments, or communicate issues they are interested in with the class and the teacher by creating blogs.
This article was both highly amusing and very informative. It addresses the short comings of the social network called Facebook and contemplates how the site could improve to the level that it kicks other websites out of the running for most popular social network. Facebook, the article explains is similar to the kind of website that Myspace is. That is, Facebook is a website for people to get together, blog, comment on each other’s pages, and spend hours messing around. However, Facebook is far behind when it comes to user friendly options and features that enhance the pages functionality.
Facebook has neither of the two important functions that make Myspace so user friendly, that is e-mail and instant messaging. The author of this article, Christopher Beam, explains that these two functions are crucial to the survival of Facebook in a internet culture that looks for both ease and multi-tasking ability in a website. Facebook, Beam argues, also must improve the visual appearance and the level of customization of its page in order to attract a crowd that basis their use of social networking pages solely on these two concepts.
The author points out that the best feature about Facebook is that it is not spam infested like Yahoo! or Myspace. It also does have many amusing tools such as a grafitti writer to mark up a friend’s page or a wallet to manage online bill payments. This unfortunately, is not enough incentive for internet users to switch over. Therefore, Facebook will have to change its site and improve its marketability in order to kick Myspace and Yahoo! out of the picture completely before they merge and kick Facebook out.
I have never used Facebook myself, but currently use Myspace. The author is right about the fact that Myspace, as well as Yahoo! are completely spam infested. I also use Yahoo! as my primary email account, and am constantly getting spam emails. This is the worst part of both of these sites, is the spam. I would definetly use a social network like Facebook if it had more features, was more user friendly, and was more visually pleasing. I have received Trojan horses from Myspace before that have almost taken out my computer. So at this point, I would be open to any new, virus free social network with e-mail capability.`
1. How is this relevant to education?
This is important topic because it is important to know how technology is being used by students in today’s world. When an educator understands how students use technology and the internet, it is possible for them to utilize that source, such as Myspace or Facebook to communicate with their students and/or parents.
2. How could I use a tool like this in my classroom?
I could use Facebook much like a class blog. I could create a virtual classroom for my students in which they can see their classmate’s pages, check up on extra credit assignments, or communicate issues they are interested in with the class and the teacher by creating blogs.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Journal 6
“Filming Compassion” by Janet Bremer and Marilyn Clark
Authors Janet Bremer and Marilyn Clark present a fascinating lesson plan that they composed in which they integrated the use of technology in a film class to fulfill a service learning requirement. This lesson plan entails making a short documentary film on a non-profit organization which will be turned over to the organization for use by the organization. In this assignment, students are required to use team player skills as they listen to the needs of the organization. They were expected to collaborate ideas and possible outcomes with the leaders of the organization. Most of the groups had little or no supervision at all after their initial meetings with the organization heads. The students went on to interview and film activities of the volunteers in each organization. The lack of supervision led to better, more creative films than initially expected.
This idea is a great way to integrate technology into a school’s service learning requirement. The student is able to fulfill some of their hours while simultaneously learning how a non-profit organization works. The non-profit organization also benefits from an activity such as this through receiving a specialized, one-on-one experience in which they can express all of their needs, concerns, and desires to the young film maker. And since this plan would target non-profit organizations, any homeless kitchen, children’s shelter, or animal rescue could afford to use this service to promote their group.
I think this is an excellent idea. If I were to teach a film studies course, this would definitely be a lesson plan that I would have to copy. I believe it’s a very admirable lesson plan that teaches young people compassion and generosity, since they are required to give so much of their time. And what better way than through a creative project with few limitations and endless possibilities?
1) How could I incorporate a lesson plan like this into my high school English classroom?
Instead of choosing different types of non-profit organizations, like this professor did, I could choose non-profit organizations directly related to literature, writing, and English. My students could do this same assignment for a book drive organization or an English tutoring program.
2) What would I add to this assignment?
Besides the initial virtual tour provided by a staff member and the volunteer interviews, I would add interviews of the people that the organization had helped. I would ask that they explain how the organization has had a positive impact on their lives and why the organization is important.
Authors Janet Bremer and Marilyn Clark present a fascinating lesson plan that they composed in which they integrated the use of technology in a film class to fulfill a service learning requirement. This lesson plan entails making a short documentary film on a non-profit organization which will be turned over to the organization for use by the organization. In this assignment, students are required to use team player skills as they listen to the needs of the organization. They were expected to collaborate ideas and possible outcomes with the leaders of the organization. Most of the groups had little or no supervision at all after their initial meetings with the organization heads. The students went on to interview and film activities of the volunteers in each organization. The lack of supervision led to better, more creative films than initially expected.
This idea is a great way to integrate technology into a school’s service learning requirement. The student is able to fulfill some of their hours while simultaneously learning how a non-profit organization works. The non-profit organization also benefits from an activity such as this through receiving a specialized, one-on-one experience in which they can express all of their needs, concerns, and desires to the young film maker. And since this plan would target non-profit organizations, any homeless kitchen, children’s shelter, or animal rescue could afford to use this service to promote their group.
I think this is an excellent idea. If I were to teach a film studies course, this would definitely be a lesson plan that I would have to copy. I believe it’s a very admirable lesson plan that teaches young people compassion and generosity, since they are required to give so much of their time. And what better way than through a creative project with few limitations and endless possibilities?
1) How could I incorporate a lesson plan like this into my high school English classroom?
Instead of choosing different types of non-profit organizations, like this professor did, I could choose non-profit organizations directly related to literature, writing, and English. My students could do this same assignment for a book drive organization or an English tutoring program.
2) What would I add to this assignment?
Besides the initial virtual tour provided by a staff member and the volunteer interviews, I would add interviews of the people that the organization had helped. I would ask that they explain how the organization has had a positive impact on their lives and why the organization is important.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Journal 4
"Moderating and Ethics for the Classroom Instructional Blog" by Patricia Deubel
Patrica Deubel supports her theory that even in K-12 classrooms, class blogs are a good source of learning for students. She states that students can more actively engage in collaborative peer to peer learning through class discussions on blogs. Students who normally do not like to be called on or students who know answers to questions, but are too shy to answer, have a much more relaxed medium in which to express themselves. Blogs are also good tools for student journals, portfolios, as well as a means of communication between teachers and parents.
All of these mediums do however have one thing in common that must be determined by the teacher, what level of freedom will be given to personal expression on these mediums? Will the teacher take down offensive comments or not? Ground rules must be laid by the teacher, and must be followed by all students. Certain rules should include posting guidelines (i.e. minimum number of words or postings). HTML support is another important aspect of blog support. Finally, priority to student commentary for the teacher is an important stimulant in the process of student learning.
I partially agree with this article. I think blogs are a good source of collaborative learning, but I do not see the role of blogs as being as important as that of power points and computer generated reports in the K-8 classroom. I think blogs are more of a 9-college educational tool. I am a more traditional technology kind of teacher though and most likely would not utilize blogs in my classroom.
1)How would I monitor blogs in my classroom (i.e. offensive language, comments, etc.)?
I would not delete offensive language or comments on a class blog (even in the public sector) because it is a personal theory of mine that students need to be in a classroom environment that does not shelter them from the offensive nature of reality. Out in the "real world" people curse all of the time, and do make racist or offensive comments. So I believe it is not right to shelter students from the nature of our world. It's not always rainbows and butterflies! :D
2)What would the limitations of a class blog be in the classroom?
If I worked in a low income school or school district, using a blog as a means of communication between teacher and parents would not quite be a reality since some low income families can not afford desk top computers.
Patrica Deubel supports her theory that even in K-12 classrooms, class blogs are a good source of learning for students. She states that students can more actively engage in collaborative peer to peer learning through class discussions on blogs. Students who normally do not like to be called on or students who know answers to questions, but are too shy to answer, have a much more relaxed medium in which to express themselves. Blogs are also good tools for student journals, portfolios, as well as a means of communication between teachers and parents.
All of these mediums do however have one thing in common that must be determined by the teacher, what level of freedom will be given to personal expression on these mediums? Will the teacher take down offensive comments or not? Ground rules must be laid by the teacher, and must be followed by all students. Certain rules should include posting guidelines (i.e. minimum number of words or postings). HTML support is another important aspect of blog support. Finally, priority to student commentary for the teacher is an important stimulant in the process of student learning.
I partially agree with this article. I think blogs are a good source of collaborative learning, but I do not see the role of blogs as being as important as that of power points and computer generated reports in the K-8 classroom. I think blogs are more of a 9-college educational tool. I am a more traditional technology kind of teacher though and most likely would not utilize blogs in my classroom.
1)How would I monitor blogs in my classroom (i.e. offensive language, comments, etc.)?
I would not delete offensive language or comments on a class blog (even in the public sector) because it is a personal theory of mine that students need to be in a classroom environment that does not shelter them from the offensive nature of reality. Out in the "real world" people curse all of the time, and do make racist or offensive comments. So I believe it is not right to shelter students from the nature of our world. It's not always rainbows and butterflies! :D
2)What would the limitations of a class blog be in the classroom?
If I worked in a low income school or school district, using a blog as a means of communication between teacher and parents would not quite be a reality since some low income families can not afford desk top computers.
Journal 3
"Social Justice: Choice or Necessity?" by Colleen Swain and David Fayburn
The main concept of social justice in the most basic of explanations is the distribution of good and bad amongst people. This concept ties into the system of technology in the sense that the best technology gets distributed to the wealthiest of school districts and the best schools. This unfair balance of technology in our schools gives a real disadvantage to students in low income schools. Students suffer loose out not only on educational opportunities at universities (even the most gifted of students can loose admission to a school for not be technologically fluent), but students also loose out on future employment opportunities that require them to be technologically fluent.
The unfair balance of technology can be examined in the practice of making students share computers at school. Most often, boys get more time on computers, while girls loose out on opportunities to use technology due to the more aggressive nature of the male counterparts.
This article argues that there are ways for technology to become more widespread in low income schools. Open source websites offer free programs such as Microsoft office without infringing on copyright laws. Web explorers such as Firefox are also free to all users. Even deeply discounted computers are offered to schools on websites such as that of Digital Equity Portal and Toolkit.
I agree completely with the authors of this article that technology is unfairly distributed to schools of different income levels. As a current school district employee who has worked in both low income and high income schools, I have seen the effects of social justice, or lack thereof in regards to technology in the classroom. High income schools definitely have an advantage when it comes to technology, which negatively impacts the education of low income students. I think that more should be done to correct this problem.
1) How could I help to improve the social justice effect on technology in the classrooms?
One way that I could help to even out this imbalance is to donate my time to go to different organizations and companies to ask for donations for technology in the classroom. This would not only be an effective means of bringing technology into the room but it could be a fun project that other teachers could get involved in as well.
2) How would I incorporate technology in to my classroom?
Students will use technology to type up reports, as well as take notes from power points. I believe that power point presentations are highly effective tools in the classroom.
The main concept of social justice in the most basic of explanations is the distribution of good and bad amongst people. This concept ties into the system of technology in the sense that the best technology gets distributed to the wealthiest of school districts and the best schools. This unfair balance of technology in our schools gives a real disadvantage to students in low income schools. Students suffer loose out not only on educational opportunities at universities (even the most gifted of students can loose admission to a school for not be technologically fluent), but students also loose out on future employment opportunities that require them to be technologically fluent.
The unfair balance of technology can be examined in the practice of making students share computers at school. Most often, boys get more time on computers, while girls loose out on opportunities to use technology due to the more aggressive nature of the male counterparts.
This article argues that there are ways for technology to become more widespread in low income schools. Open source websites offer free programs such as Microsoft office without infringing on copyright laws. Web explorers such as Firefox are also free to all users. Even deeply discounted computers are offered to schools on websites such as that of Digital Equity Portal and Toolkit.
I agree completely with the authors of this article that technology is unfairly distributed to schools of different income levels. As a current school district employee who has worked in both low income and high income schools, I have seen the effects of social justice, or lack thereof in regards to technology in the classroom. High income schools definitely have an advantage when it comes to technology, which negatively impacts the education of low income students. I think that more should be done to correct this problem.
1) How could I help to improve the social justice effect on technology in the classrooms?
One way that I could help to even out this imbalance is to donate my time to go to different organizations and companies to ask for donations for technology in the classroom. This would not only be an effective means of bringing technology into the room but it could be a fun project that other teachers could get involved in as well.
2) How would I incorporate technology in to my classroom?
Students will use technology to type up reports, as well as take notes from power points. I believe that power point presentations are highly effective tools in the classroom.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Journal 2
“Real Life Migrants on the MUVE: Stories of Virtual Transitions” by Ross A. Perkins and Cathy Arreguin
The article “Real Life Migrants on the MUVE” is an interesting piece on how virtual realities work and how they can be applied in the classroom. A multi-user virtual environment is a technological tool that is quickly growing in popularity and in utilization in public classrooms. These fascinating second worlds allow for the highest level of personalization, giving the student a great sense of pride in their virtual reality. These virtual realities can be used to complete class assignments as well as being used as a fun extra credit assignment. One example of how this tool could be used in lieu of a traditional hard-copy classroom assignment is given through the example of a timeline. Instead of students making a traditional timeline on paper, they could take a single event from a timeline and create a virtual world to show the event taking place or what the environment would look like.
The article wraps up by giving advice on what to consider when buying a virtual reality for the classroom. Don’t ever buy for novelty, it fades away faster than you expect. Always consider user capabilities, software, hardware, networking, costs, goals, standards, legal protection, the needs of special education students, and finally the amount of time and training that is required to lean the new software.
Although I like the idea of integrating different technological elements into the classroom and classroom assignments, I do not find this particular tool very appealing. I am a child of the technological age, but believe that some things, such as homework and projects should remain old-fashioned. Some assignments should remain hard-copy. For example, if a test is administered through a virtual classroom, in which the student is really at home, it is much easier for the student to cheat. But I do believe that this would be a fun, exciting tool to use to reward students for good work and/or behavior. It would also be a lot of fun to use for an extra credit assignment.
1) How would I use this as extra credit in my classroom?
Since I aim to teach British literature in high school, I could use a tool like this to have students create a world like that of Shakespeare and Marlowe. They could create the royal court of Queen Elizabeth or the Globe playhouse.
2) How would this help students to learn more about the subject area?
I would give my students the freedom to pick any aspect of the Elizabethan era that they like and want to explore further. This will foster their interest in the subject area (hopefully).
The article “Real Life Migrants on the MUVE” is an interesting piece on how virtual realities work and how they can be applied in the classroom. A multi-user virtual environment is a technological tool that is quickly growing in popularity and in utilization in public classrooms. These fascinating second worlds allow for the highest level of personalization, giving the student a great sense of pride in their virtual reality. These virtual realities can be used to complete class assignments as well as being used as a fun extra credit assignment. One example of how this tool could be used in lieu of a traditional hard-copy classroom assignment is given through the example of a timeline. Instead of students making a traditional timeline on paper, they could take a single event from a timeline and create a virtual world to show the event taking place or what the environment would look like.
The article wraps up by giving advice on what to consider when buying a virtual reality for the classroom. Don’t ever buy for novelty, it fades away faster than you expect. Always consider user capabilities, software, hardware, networking, costs, goals, standards, legal protection, the needs of special education students, and finally the amount of time and training that is required to lean the new software.
Although I like the idea of integrating different technological elements into the classroom and classroom assignments, I do not find this particular tool very appealing. I am a child of the technological age, but believe that some things, such as homework and projects should remain old-fashioned. Some assignments should remain hard-copy. For example, if a test is administered through a virtual classroom, in which the student is really at home, it is much easier for the student to cheat. But I do believe that this would be a fun, exciting tool to use to reward students for good work and/or behavior. It would also be a lot of fun to use for an extra credit assignment.
1) How would I use this as extra credit in my classroom?
Since I aim to teach British literature in high school, I could use a tool like this to have students create a world like that of Shakespeare and Marlowe. They could create the royal court of Queen Elizabeth or the Globe playhouse.
2) How would this help students to learn more about the subject area?
I would give my students the freedom to pick any aspect of the Elizabethan era that they like and want to explore further. This will foster their interest in the subject area (hopefully).
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