Everything in this world has an advantage and a disadvantage (like every action has a reaction). Technology is no different. There are many advantages and disadvantages with different forms of technology. Internet is a service that has changed the way we live today. The positives of Internet is that you can easily find whatever information you want. The downside of this is that this information can be either good or bad, and some information may be trustworthy. The Internet is a vast area, and everyone can put anything. There are no laws which prevent pornography and gambling sites from leaking onto the Internet, but there are informative websites which can help people learn about certain material or purchasing or borrowing a book.
Also, the invention of cars has helped us and harmed us. We all have cars which can help us go from place 'A' to place 'B' a lot faster than walking or biking. This has allowed us to save time. The downside of this is that we are more likely to have less exercise as some may rely on vehicle transportation too much. This has led to obesity and is harmful to our long term health. Also, there is pollution. Cars let out toxins into the air we breathe. This has led to more smog alerts and cars are damaging the ozone layer, exposing us to harmful ultraviolet rays.
Television is also a form of technology that has helped and harmed us. The positives include the fact that we can be entertained by drama and informative shows, sport events, and specialty channels which also allow us to access content easier (The Weather Network and the TV guide channels are examples). This form of technology also causes us to be lazy. We might lack physical activity as we sit on front of a television screen, only your brain processing what you are seeing in front of you.
All forms of technology have an upside and a downside. There is no way of letting around it, so might as well use all technology to your advantage.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Are Wii the Children of the Revolution?
It is not a technological revolution. There have been Wii-like technology that have been created in the past. The Wii is only a new form of playing video games. Nintendo created Wii Sports as an add-on with the console so that you can play boxing, golf, baseball, bowling, and tennis. This is hype because Nintendo is the first of the 'Big Three' video game developers to create a system using this kind of technology. The target market for the Wii differs from the target markets of Sony and Microsoft. Nintendo is targeting people who have never played video games through motion, while the PS3 and the XBOX360 is created for hardcore gamers and next generation graphics.
There have been so much hype about the Nintendo Wii because this is a system of all ages. However, this technology has been here before, and Nintendo is only using the idea and creating entertaining games for all. This is a system that's definitely recommended.
Reading in Cyberspace
Google Book Search is a new tool to make it easier for people who want to either buy or borrow books. It gets these books from libraries and publishers. There are little pieces of information for people with a full view, limited preview, a snippet view, or bibliographic information for books without a preview.
The use of Google Book Search would result in a decent relationship with publishers. It would help promote their books. Google would publish a 'full-view' (reading the whole book) if it is deemed out of copyright, or given permission to be released as a whole to Google Book Search. Google Book Search has links to the publisher to directly buy their book, and to libraries for people to borrow the book. This is a new and effective to promote books.
This tactic might not go unnoticed by others if this is successful. Other companies like Yahoo! and Microsoft will introduce similar programs to compete with Google.
This project would have a major impact on the access to information. Society is becoming more technological based, and we have new ways to get this information more quickly than before. We now have the Internet to make our lives in searching for material a lot easier. There are bookstores and libraries that allow us to get the book we want, but Google Book Search would find all of books that have the title you have typed in expanding your results. This is a unique way of searching for books through a known search engine.
There would not be an effect towards job positions in libraries, and book stores. There would always be people going to a library or bookstore to get books. Also, libraries, and book stores already use the Internet to allow people to hold books and to purchase them, so their jobs are safe.
I think that Google Book Search is a "fair use". The jobs of librarians are not being jeopardized as it is like a book search engine in the library today. Despite some publishers may think this is 'free advertising', the same can be said with all websites. Therefore, there would be no search engines. Google is a trusted company and this would only benefit everyone.
The Genographic Project
The Genographic Project was launched in April of 2005 by IBM, the National Geographic society, and the Waitt Family Foundation, to find out human migration patterns through collecting and analyzing DNA samples from more than 100,000 people from five continents. For $100 US (in 2005), anyone in the world can order a self-testing kit with a saliva swab and mail it back so the scientists can analyze it, and find the person's genetic history.
There are mixed views about this. Over 115,000 people have participated in this project, but this project has come in suspicion. Indigenous people are an integral part of this five-year project. This project has caused great distaste towards indigenous people. As of December 2006, all recognized North American tribes have refused to take part in this study. The Indigenous Peoples Council of Biocolonialism (IPCB) protested after the launch, boycotting IBM, National Geographic, and Gateway Computers. The feelings towards this program was heard through Maurice Foxx, member of the Mashpee Wampanoag, and chairman of the Massachusetts Commission on Indian Affairs "What the scientists are trying to prove is that we’re the same as the Pilgrims except we came over several thousand years before. Why should we give them that openly?"
This project would probably not have occurred a hundred, fifty, or even twenty five years ago. Yes, Friedrich Miescher was the first to isolate DNA in 1869, and Watson and Crick who found the first accurate model of the DNA structure in 1953, but technology was very primitive back then. The first "computer" was actually a person who could perform calculations under a mathematician. The first "modern" computer was developed by the US military in the Second World War, and computers only shrunk to the approximate size of today in the 1980s. The rapid growth of technology in the last twenty years made this project possible.
The scientists consider the indigenous people more accurate than anyone else in the results of this project. Yet, the indigenous people refuse this "intrusion" of western society. The distrust between the two parties will make it a lot more interesting whether their can be common ground. The scientists need the indigenous people but they are not giving in, and will probably not in the future. This will be interesting.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
When War Meets Video Games
War games are becoming more and more realistic as game developers are trying to add realism to please current war gamers and attract new ones. The increasing amount of war video games out on the market is unbelievable, as war games is increasing out on the open market. War games have always had a place to consumers in the video game market, but there is an increasing demand for war video games. The answer for this demand is very simple. PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY DECLARING WAR AND FIGHTING EACH OTHER!!!!
The war game designers did not have this fabulous plan to somehow convince the market to buy war video games, those politicians who decided to declare on another country did. Think about all the war games that are out there. Almost all of them are based real-life war. Secret Weapons over Normandy is based on the World War II battle at Normandy, France. Most games are realistically based on real life war events that happened during World War I and World War II. The War on Iraq by our American counterparts is at fault for the boom of the war game industry.
War games are created by companies to make the player to try to re-create realistic battle scenes and defeat their enemies. There is no intent to expose the real horrors to war but war games do disrespect soldiers who fought in wars that occurred in the 20th Century. The war gamer probably does not know the true horrors of war in real life. War veterans who know about these war games are probably insulted that what they do in real life is re-created virtually, obviously without the true horrors that war veterans have. War games allow gamers to try and become successful in the game, which does try to make it fun yet challenging. Most war games are rated 'Teen' which shows violence, and blood mostly... However, war games that are rated 'Mature' usually have lot of violence, blood, and maybe coarse language. 'Mature' rated games are obviously the most realistic, as in reality, war is very gruesome.
I personally think that war video games are just games and should not be taken seriously. I do not play war games. However, I am not against the idea that war games should be taken off the market since there are a lot of other games which are similar to war games in terms of creating 'real-life' occurances.
The war game designers did not have this fabulous plan to somehow convince the market to buy war video games, those politicians who decided to declare on another country did. Think about all the war games that are out there. Almost all of them are based real-life war. Secret Weapons over Normandy is based on the World War II battle at Normandy, France. Most games are realistically based on real life war events that happened during World War I and World War II. The War on Iraq by our American counterparts is at fault for the boom of the war game industry.
War games are created by companies to make the player to try to re-create realistic battle scenes and defeat their enemies. There is no intent to expose the real horrors to war but war games do disrespect soldiers who fought in wars that occurred in the 20th Century. The war gamer probably does not know the true horrors of war in real life. War veterans who know about these war games are probably insulted that what they do in real life is re-created virtually, obviously without the true horrors that war veterans have. War games allow gamers to try and become successful in the game, which does try to make it fun yet challenging. Most war games are rated 'Teen' which shows violence, and blood mostly... However, war games that are rated 'Mature' usually have lot of violence, blood, and maybe coarse language. 'Mature' rated games are obviously the most realistic, as in reality, war is very gruesome.
I personally think that war video games are just games and should not be taken seriously. I do not play war games. However, I am not against the idea that war games should be taken off the market since there are a lot of other games which are similar to war games in terms of creating 'real-life' occurances.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Journal Question number 2 which is really my number 1... The iPod Classroom...
The iPod is an item that 99.99% of humans would want (including me). So what good will it be outside of leisure and listening to music? The answer is work. An iPod is actually used by athletes, like Todd Helton of the Colorado Rockies (from Sports Illustrated in one of the 2006 August or September issues), and websites even have study guides to help you with homework!!! Please visit www.sparknotes.com for more info.
I think I would personally work and learn better with an iPod. I HATE listening to a teaching droning on and on about a subject (especially if I already know something). Personally, if you were put into a situation where there is ONE FINAL SPOT in a seminar that YOU MUST BE IN, would YOU rather
(a) engage into fierce battle with your comrades over THAT ONE FINAL SPOT and leave the scene with a nasty mark on your hand through the use of 'physical contact' (in a good way of course) AND not get into the seminar, or
(b) sit somewhere quiet, DEFINATELY away from any friendly distraction, and listening to the seminar without droning off and wondering what in the world did I miss during the seminar
It would be an easy answer (b). Of course, this method isn't for everyone. I personally have great fascination of electronic devices like iPods and I would actually FOCUS more. I normally like doing several things at one time and am constantly moving (both which are now habits), and a portable device like the iPod would be really convenient to my daily, hectic life.
Since this technology is so advanced and self-directed, would do think iPod education would work in a self-directed environment in Mary Ward? Well, DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT! IT WON'T WORK. An iPod education in Mary Ward will never work. Consider the following:
a. EVERYONE would need an iPod. Apparently, not every single parent would be willing in shell out hundreds for a device and suspicion over the use of an iPod would be questioned. Also, the school WOULD DEFINATELY NOT offer iPods to students. According to Andy Zhu's blog (please visit http://www.eblogspace.blogspot.com/), the Toronto Catholic District School Board is facing a $34.6 million budget defecit. Would it be LOGICAL to fall into an even deeper hole when the Ontario government is not willing to shell out more money for education?
b. Apparently, not all students are created equal. Not everyone would work well with an iPod. Mary Ward is a self-directed learning school. There are people who can just use an iPod as an excuse for working when they are really listening to music or watching videos. An iPod classroom would be an accident waiting to happen
c. despite Mary Ward self-directed education, it is RECOMMENDED that you should meet up with your subject to at least know and see you. An iPod classroom would create a brick wall between student and teacher and will actually be harmful, as your marks may not be as good if you seen your teacher.
So if an iPod classroom would not work, what would? Thanks to some smart guy up at TCDSB, e-class was invented. It is, firstly, CHEAP (cheaper than iPod classrooms), and a good communication tool between student and teacher (despite a minor barrier). Here are some advantages:
a. Teachers can just upload information and unit work on e-class and the student can just find it on e-class, finish it, and send it back to the teacher through e-mail.
b. You can hand it work on holidays and weekends (not an advantage, as who wants to work on weekends and holidays? But at least you can do it from a personal computer in your own very relaxing (I hope) home instead of going up to a teacher and annoying them for a few seconds and asking for a signature, right?)
c. There is really no third reason. I just put it up to make advantages and disadvantages balanced...
So...after this post, there will (might) be a flash movie coming up about the iPod learning environment. (hopefully, depending on how much time I have...)
Lovely sponsors (can't forget them)
No. 1 Web Browser (loyal firefox user) and Ford GT owner (in Gran Turismo 4)
The iPod is an item that 99.99% of humans would want (including me). So what good will it be outside of leisure and listening to music? The answer is work. An iPod is actually used by athletes, like Todd Helton of the Colorado Rockies (from Sports Illustrated in one of the 2006 August or September issues), and websites even have study guides to help you with homework!!! Please visit www.sparknotes.com for more info.
I think I would personally work and learn better with an iPod. I HATE listening to a teaching droning on and on about a subject (especially if I already know something). Personally, if you were put into a situation where there is ONE FINAL SPOT in a seminar that YOU MUST BE IN, would YOU rather
(a) engage into fierce battle with your comrades over THAT ONE FINAL SPOT and leave the scene with a nasty mark on your hand through the use of 'physical contact' (in a good way of course) AND not get into the seminar, or
(b) sit somewhere quiet, DEFINATELY away from any friendly distraction, and listening to the seminar without droning off and wondering what in the world did I miss during the seminar
It would be an easy answer (b). Of course, this method isn't for everyone. I personally have great fascination of electronic devices like iPods and I would actually FOCUS more. I normally like doing several things at one time and am constantly moving (both which are now habits), and a portable device like the iPod would be really convenient to my daily, hectic life.
Since this technology is so advanced and self-directed, would do think iPod education would work in a self-directed environment in Mary Ward? Well, DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT! IT WON'T WORK. An iPod education in Mary Ward will never work. Consider the following:
a. EVERYONE would need an iPod. Apparently, not every single parent would be willing in shell out hundreds for a device and suspicion over the use of an iPod would be questioned. Also, the school WOULD DEFINATELY NOT offer iPods to students. According to Andy Zhu's blog (please visit http://www.eblogspace.blogspot.com/), the Toronto Catholic District School Board is facing a $34.6 million budget defecit. Would it be LOGICAL to fall into an even deeper hole when the Ontario government is not willing to shell out more money for education?
b. Apparently, not all students are created equal. Not everyone would work well with an iPod. Mary Ward is a self-directed learning school. There are people who can just use an iPod as an excuse for working when they are really listening to music or watching videos. An iPod classroom would be an accident waiting to happen
c. despite Mary Ward self-directed education, it is RECOMMENDED that you should meet up with your subject to at least know and see you. An iPod classroom would create a brick wall between student and teacher and will actually be harmful, as your marks may not be as good if you seen your teacher.
So if an iPod classroom would not work, what would? Thanks to some smart guy up at TCDSB, e-class was invented. It is, firstly, CHEAP (cheaper than iPod classrooms), and a good communication tool between student and teacher (despite a minor barrier). Here are some advantages:
a. Teachers can just upload information and unit work on e-class and the student can just find it on e-class, finish it, and send it back to the teacher through e-mail.
b. You can hand it work on holidays and weekends (not an advantage, as who wants to work on weekends and holidays? But at least you can do it from a personal computer in your own very relaxing (I hope) home instead of going up to a teacher and annoying them for a few seconds and asking for a signature, right?)
c. There is really no third reason. I just put it up to make advantages and disadvantages balanced...
So...after this post, there will (might) be a flash movie coming up about the iPod learning environment. (hopefully, depending on how much time I have...)
Lovely sponsors (can't forget them)
No. 1 Web Browser (loyal firefox user) and Ford GT owner (in Gran Turismo 4)
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