Technology Current Event

Topic: Real-life Transfomers suits.

Article Title: Just In Time For Christmas - Real-Life Transformers Suits!

 Article Source: Dogonews

Summary: Drew Beaumier invented a real-life transformer suit. His suit contains of a vehicle body, helmet, battery belt and even motor equipped drive boots, that allows the user to zoom around like an automobile at speeds of up to 10-15km/hr when in“vehicle” mode. When a person is driving around in "vehicle" mode they can later spring up and strut around like Optimus Prime.

Description: Life-size transformer suit
Date:November 18, 2012
Found at: dogonews.com

 Since Drew custom-builds each suit from gently used toys and sporting gear, the drive suit can be made to resemble almost any vehicle. The suit takes about 50 hrs to create and cost about $1,800 USD each. Recently, Drew received an investment from Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary (Mr. Wonderful) who plans to set him up with a toy manufacturer. By next Christmas toy stores all over the world will be featuring Drew's amazing invention.

 Reaction: This new invention is really cool and crafty. Everybody would want to buy something like that. It also came out right in time for Christmas. I think the transformer suit would make a cool halloween costume also. The price is a little too expensive though. People might not want to buy something so expensive. 

World Impact: I don't think this really impacts the world much. Other inventors may try to copy this invention or create something similar to it. I don't see this invention going world wide untill later on in the future. Like I said before the costume is really expensive. People in other countires might not be able to afford the invention untill later on when the price is more reasonable. 

Week Thirteen of GECHS

This week was really simple and easy. We went over our new digital literacy lesson and worked on a few other things. Unfortunately, we didn't learn about any new web 2.0 tool.

Our new digital literacy component this week was scams and schemes. We had a class discussion on how important it is to keep private information private. If your information gets out into the public, it can lead to multiple problems that may take years to fix. One major issue in the United States is identity theft. The only way someone can steal your identity is if you give them the information they need.

Description: Thief
Date: January 25, 2007
Found at: flickrcc.net

However, they are also ways you can avoid identity theft. Here are five rules to follow to protect you from online scams: 

1. Avoid opening the message or email.
2. Don't click on any links or download any attachments; they might contain viruses or spyware.
3. Don't reply to the message.
4. Mark as "junk mail" or "spam" for your email provider, or report it to your social networking site.
5. If you are concerned about an account you have with a company, contact its customer service department by phone. Make sure you verify the company’s contact information elsewhere online first.

To guide us through our lesson we were given a list of words to define. We have already went over a few of the words in the past.

Scam- An attempt to trick someone, usually with the intention of stealing money or private information. 

Identity Theft- A type of crime in which your private information is stolen and used for criminal activity.

Vulnerable- In a position that makes it easier for you to be harmed or attacked. 

Phishing- When people send you phony emails, social media messages, texts, calls, or links to fake websites in order to hook you into giving out your personal and financial information.


Overall, this week was really laid back. I enjoyed not having that much work to complete. The only thing I had a problem with was my stems test.

Week Eleven of GECHS

This week was by far the best week ever here at GECHS. The moment we have all been waiting for has finally happened. The new building was ready for us! It was supposed to be completed a while back but all the waiting has finally paid off. Our first full day in the new building was on November 2, 2012. It was very exciting for all of us.


This week we signed up for a website called Noredink. Noredink is a simple site that both teachers and students can use. The site helps students practice and master grammar and writing skills in a fun and easy way. Noredink is also a way for us to study for grammar test. I really enjoy using it.


Our first assignment, as usual, was to edit our peers' blog. After having our blog edited, we went back and did a little revision and fixed our blog. Later, we commented on our classmates blogs. Having someone comment on our blog allows us to take in any suggestions and fix mistakes so our blog could be amazing.


The next day we started a new discussion on online tracking and targeting. Most of what we learned was about how companies can track your online activity and target specific ads and searches based on your demographic information and digital history. This may seem as an invasion of privacy but it doesn't all have to be negative. There are both negative and positive perspectives to it.

Description: Targeting
Date:April 23, 2008
Found at: Flickrcc.net

Online tracking and targeting can easily be something positive instead of negative. For example, you are looking for a movie to watch on Netflix. Instead of searching for a long time, netflix tries to determine the type of movies you enjoy based on your choices. Then they recommend movies that you may enjoy. Doing this is less time consuming and helps you search for movies easier.


The negative side of online tracking and targeting is that some information is hidden from you due to companies and search engines trying to tailor your online experience. This means that when two different people search the same thing, the results are not necessarily going to be the same. Having information personalized for you at all times doesn't always turn out to be a good thing.

Description:
Date:
Found at: www.flickrcc.net

We were also given a list of new vocabulary words to define.

Track- When companies collect information about you based on your online behavior.
Target- When companies tailor content to you based on the information they have collected about you.
Demographic- Common categories of the population, such as age, gender, and race.
Cookies- Data files that are stored on your computer when you visit certain sites.


There are multiple ways to stop companies from collecting too much of your information. This brings me to my next topic. Our new web 2.0 tool we used this week was Mixbook. Mixbook is a website that allows you to create a variety of things. Mostly photobooks, photocards, scrapbooks, yearbooks, and calenders.


The instructions given to us was to create a brochure giving 7 tips on how to limit data collection. Using mixbook, was a a little bit of a challenge. After a while it was easy to use. There wasn't really any negative aspects of Mixbook. It was a fun and easy website to use. My Mixbook is shown below.

| Start your own Photo Books | Create custom Christmas Cards

Overall, this week was absolutely amazing! I really enjoyed everything we went over in class. I never knew that companies kept track of what you do online and try to tailor your online experience. Moving into our new building was just the icing on top of the cake! I can't wait until next week. It'll be our first full week in the new building.

Technology Current Event

 Topic: Employees experience cyberbullying


Article Title: Cyberbullying Not Just a Problem for Kids

Article Source: Technewsdaily

 Summary: A study by researchers at British universities Nottingham University and the University of Sheffield  found that cyberbullying in the workplace can be worst for its victims. The cyberbullies use modern communications technology such as emails, texts or Web postings to abuse people. Victims of these attacks seem to suffer more than regular forms of bullying. Cases like these appear to be worse because "those that had experienced cyberbullying tended to have higher mental strain and lower job satisfaction". 

Reaction: I was surprised that cyberbullying was also occurring at workplaces. I just thought it caused an issue in kids and teens. I expect that grown ups should be way more mature and grown up. What I still don't understand is how employees "suffer" more that the regular forms of bullying. My parents always tell me to have self-esteem for myself and not let anyone bring me down. Why can't adults have that same type of attitude? There are stories of suicides due to cyberbullying attacks. I have never heard of an adult committing suicide over it. So how do they get it worse?


 World Impact: I don't think this would  really impact the world. It is an eye-opener to me to see this happening. Maybe it would be for other people also. I guess bosses can see that what they say to their employees is considered cyberbullying. Know one wants to be known as the bully, I wouldn't.