Your Online Image #1

Your Online Image #1

You've discussed in your Keynote presentations about how important it is for you to be very careful when you're online.

- be careful with your personal information

- be careful about what you say about others

- be careful about language, images, etc

- be careful about secrets, embarrassing or other personal info about others

Things that you post on line can also be damaging to your reputation - now, or in the future.

We're going to handle the blog differently the next couple of weeks.  You will be presented with different scenarios, that involve online social networking.  Respond to the question(s) asked. Give your answer some thought. 

First Scenario:

You are finally old enough to join a social networking site and set up your own profile. You spend a lot of time making the profile look cool and you have links to many friends. Your mom makes her own profile and asks you to be her “friend.” Is that fair? Explain your thinking.

You're Messed Up!

You're Messed Up!

You're addicted!  You're messed up!

Read the following articles (don't forget to read some of the commentary after the articles). They all talk about the effects on teens from social networking, texting etc - all of this "new" technology.

What are the dangers?  We're not talking about why the internet itself is dangerous - not talking about predators.  We're talking about quality of life - your time; how social networking makes you feel about the world, and how it conditions you to behave.  "Real life" vs. "online life".

Your first post should be about what the negative effects of your online life might be. How might things like social networking (Facebook, Twitter) affect you in a negative way. This is a difficult question, because you probably don't think that these things really are affecting you negatively.  You can handle it, right?

THEN, after a day or two, in your response to a fellow student's post, argue in FAVOR of social networking - how does it 'enhance' your life - how does it make your life better?

This is a 'deep topic'.  One sentence answers are NOT going to cut it, so really think about your answers, and argue your point.

"How Teens View Their Digital Lives"

"Teens Say They're Addicted to Social Media, Texting"

"Don't Blame Social Media If Your Teen is Unsocial. It's Your Fault"

Safety In Our Schools

Safety In Our Schools

Read the following article, about a New Jersey school district that now has armed police officers stationed at their schools:

The Record: School Safety

What do you think about this?  Do you think it's an effective way to protect our schools? Why, or why not?  What might be some other steps schools can take?

Would any of these measures have helped in the recent shooting at Umpqua Community College in Oregon? (Click HERE for info.)

Note: Be sure to post thoughtful responses to blog questions - both the initial question that I post, AND to the posts of your classmates.  "Yeah, I agree," or "Good point!" is not a complete response. 

Remember, you're carrying on a conversation, that you are contributing to!

The Cloud

"The Cloud"

You've probably heard it said that the world has gotten smaller.  This is true because, since the development of the Internet (the 'Cloud') and such things as Tweeting, texting, instant messaging, social networking (Facebook, MySpace), we've grown much closer.  The distance between us, geographically, doesn't matter near as much anymore.

In many ways, this is a good thing.  But, in some ways - not so much.  While the world has grown closer together, we're also closer to those people who would try to hurt us or take advantage of us.  Most people are good - but it's easier than ever for those that aren't to target people who aren't prepared, or aware of the dangers.

So, you've just met a student who has NEVER been on the internet.  Their family just moved to the area, and just signed up for internet access at home for the first time.  Knowing what you know right now, what would you warn that person about?  What would you tell them to be careful of, when they're on the Web?  How would you tell them to behave - what precautions should they take?

You don't have to look this up - base it on what you already know - what you've already learned.  You CAN research a little on the internet, if you need to...

The Computer of the Future

The Computer of the Future

In 20 years, what will computers look like?  (20 years is an eternity when it comes to developments in technology!) Will they be tablets? Phone-size? Flexible?  Will they even be solid or tactile (meaning you can touch/feel them) at all? Will they resemble the Google Glass that the man is wearing in the picture, or maybe, a watch?

Search the web for developing technologies as they relate to computers. Describe IN DETAIL what you think the computer of the future (well, at least 20 years from now) will look like.

When you respond to classmates, challenge them to predict what advancements will be necessary to create the computer they described - or predict what those will be yourself.