Journal Nine- "iPhony"

By: Tim Wu

Apples has been promoting their new iphone as a "revolutionary" device. Although Apple has changed the personal computer and music industry, the author of the article does not feel the iphone is revolutionary enough to change the wireless world. As a phone it has many qualities that will attract consumers including its style and user interface however, many aspects of the iPhone make it far from revolutionary.

The iPhone is also only available to AT&T customers, which the author feels is a unique partnership because the companies are founded using completely different business models. AT&T was found in 1870, long before Apple was developed, and follows the classic business model of owning the largest network and everything it surrounds. On the other hand, Apple was created in the 1970s as a hippie computer firm. This partnership is another reason why the iPhone is anything but revolutionary. If Apple wanted to revolutionize the wireless industry, the author feels they should have created a unlocked version of the iPhone that allows consumers to chose their network of choice or allows you to roam different networks and connect the different features on the phone to different networks. The iPhone has taken a step forward introducing the first phone with Wi-Fi access.

Questions

1. Why do you feel the iPhone is attracting so many consumers?
2. Do you feel the iPhone is a "revolutionary" device?

Answers

1. I feel many people are buying the iPhone because of the brand name and the way it was been promoted as "revolutionary." Many people in today's society want to have the latest version of electronics even if they do not know the difference between it and the other models. I believe people care more about the brand of an item then its practicality.
2. After reading this article, I do not feel the iPhone is a revultionary device. I feel the two companies have combined to form a product that is in their best interest. The iPhone is not going to change the lives of the people who have it, it is nothing more than a way for the companies to make more money.

Journal Eight- "Google Spy"

By: Michael Agger

Google has launched a new program called Google Street View, which allows people to access 360-degree images of the streets in popular U.S. cities including: San Francisco, Las Vegas, New York, Denver, and Miami. Images are captured by a van equipped with a camera. Numerous people feel Google Street View infringes on people's right to privacy. Although images are not displayed in real time, people are still being caught by the cameras in inappropriate place or doing embarrassing things. Google does allow people to report images they want removed and feel people should not be concerned about privacy issues because the camera captures the same public images a person would see when walking down the street.

Questions

1. How can teachers use Google Street View as part of a lesson plan?
2. Since the article states that Google Street View has displayed embarrassing or inappropriate images, do you feel it is suitable for a teacher to have her class view?

Answers

1. Teachers can use Google Street View to show students how various major cities in the United States look. The teacher can have their students compare the certain aspects of different cities. For example, can the student tell a population difference between New York and San Francisco by the amount of people walking down the street. The program can also teach students about the different architecture in popular cities. The teacher might have students compared the building in New York to those is Miami, to see that buildings are much taller in New York because space is limited. Finally, Google Street View will also allow student to see the difference in weather among the cities. For example, a teacher can have a student view three cities in different parts of the United States, Miami, Denver, and San Francisco, and have student come the weather.
2. I feel it is suitable to a teacher to have her class view Google Street View as long as they preview the material before displaying it for their students. If a teacher has not seen the images they are presenting to the students, they might show something that the parents feel is inappropriate. I would also recommend the teacher has the parents sign a permission slip stating the information about the program and any possible warnings. This will allow parents to decide whether their child should participate and possibly encourage the parents to access it, alone or with their child, before it is presented to the class.

Journal Seven- "In Your Face: How Facebook could crush MySpace, Yahoo!, and Google"

By: Christopher Beam

In today’s technological society, many people are turning to online communities and other social networks as a way to communicate with old friends and met new ones. The two most popular interfaces to accomplish this are MySpace and Facebook. Although MySpace is three times the size of Facebook, the author believes that has become showy and infested with spam. Facebook is the smarter choice for those people who want all the technology without all the clutter. However, Facebook has added a new tool kit called Facebook Platform which allows anyone to create programs, also known as applications, for the users to add into their profile. Out of the nearly 900 programs released on Facebook, the majority do not reach the potential they have to eliminate any use for the Internet. Although Yahoo! and iGoogle also allow user to add their favorite websites onto their homepage, they lack the social network aspect. If Facebook were to allow users to send real e-mails, not just messages, Instant Messages, and provide RSS feeds for real news, it will allow users to accomplish everything they wish to in one place.

Questions

1. Why do you believe social networks have become so popular among the middle and high school age groups?
2. Although Facebook is believed to be safer then MySpace it still allows anyone to create a profile, do you feel it is safe for children?

Answers

1. I feel social networks have become so popular with these age groups because it allows them to communicate easily with all their friends in one place. I feel social networks are also a form of high school popularity contests. Some people on the social networks want to be friends with everyone, even if they do not know them, because it makes them feel like they know a lot of people.
2. Facebook only allows people within the same network to view each others' profiles and privacy settings can further make it so a persons' profile can only be viewed by the friends they have chosen. With these features, I believe Facebook is a safe place for children as long as the parents or other guardian are involved in how the child uses the program. For example, I believe the parents should have the child password and be able to check their child's site everyday to make sure they are aware of everything being done.

Journal Six- "Filming Compassion"

By: Janet Bremer and Marilyn Clark
Many public and private school are now requiring students participate in service learning. Typically students have filled this requirement by: participating in after-school projects, individual involvement outside of school, or by taking classes. However, the authors of this article have discovered a new way that allows the hands on use of technology to fill this requirement. Integrating video production into the service learning requirement allows numerous more benefits then the traditions programs. The authors created a program were students are assignment to make a five-minute video for a nonprofit organization. Since nonprofit organizations usually lack the funding to make a video themselves, many organizations will jump at the chance to get involved in the program. Furthermore, students are learning to use various aspects of technology that are crucial in today's society.

Questions

1. What technological skills did the student learn when making the video for a nonprofit organization?
2. What are some of the benefits of the video production program the authors have created?

Answers

1. The students learned a variety of technological skills when creating a video for a nonprofit organization. Among the skills they learned include: using a digital camera, importing video, editing, exporting video to a videotape or DVD. Students also learned how to film different types of shots including close-ups and long shots. Students also learned how to use Final Cut, a program that allows students to add text, introduce different sections, and provide credits at the end of each section.
2. The video production program, created by the authors, have numerous benefits. First, the students will learn first handed about the nonprofit organization. By touring the facilities and meeting with the staff, the students see how the organization is working to improve society. Second, the video created by the students will help to teacher other about the organization and show them way to get involves. Finally, when students evaluate their peers' videos, it helps them to develop critical and analytical thinking skills.