ELSA'S COMM. TECH BLOG

Cyberbullying


Cyberbullying is a type of bullying often neglected and pushed aside. Although cyberbullying can be as harmful as any other form of abuse (such as physical or emotional), it's neglected often due to the fact that this is not said to the victim face-to-face but rather on the internet. Cyberbullies, or bullies in general, are often weak and rely on other's depression and embarrassment to raise their confidence. As we learnt at the assembly on cyberbullying, it can affect students greatly, as great as even changing schools solely because of this situation.

Cyberbullying is considered when one threatens, makes fun of, embarrasses, or puts down a victim in a form of media accessible by the internet. This may included cyberbullying from chat rooms, blogs, websites, or the most recent example, Facebook. Facebook is a new community-based web page, like MySpace, that provides users to create new groups expressing ideas about their thoughts on a variety of issues. However, this freedom, may, and did, lead to cyberbullying. Bullies would create groups targeting victims, lowering their self-esteem and confidence. Cyberbullies think that they would never get caught due to the anonymous environment the web tends to create. Those who think this is wrong. Many people are tracked through their computers and revealed.

In my opinion, an option for punishment presented to cyberbullies would be banishment from the website. However, if cyberbullying can be traced more than once on a computer, punishments may be as serious as banishment from the internet as a whole. This would provide a whole new realization on the seriousness of this issue. After a certain period of time, determined by the law on how serious this case was, the user should then be released from his/her punishment and may be allowed to continue enjoying the features of the internet or the website that they were once banned from. This would hopefully teach those cyberbullies a lesson and reduce the number of reported cases of cyberbullying happening in our province.

Are Wii the Children of the Revolution?


Revolutionary. A word, according to the dictionary, meaning "radically new or innovative; outside or beyond established procedures, principles, etc. Is this what we describe the new Nintendo Wii Gaming System? The New Wii Gaming System is like no other on the market today. With controllers equipped with sensors, the Wii allows gamers to play games that get pretty physical such as bowling, tennis, and etc. Because of this new and innovative way to play video games, many gamers are attracted to its new and physical features making Nintendo Wii a huge hit.

Personally, I believe that Nintendo Wii is just another new hype. Although some may disagree and call it a technological revolution, no matter what points are used to argue this new innovation, it all comes back to the same point. The Nintendo Wii may be realistic, but what can get more realistic than to complete the actual activity itself, such as bowling. Wouldn't you rather go bowling with a friend and experience the real fun and intensity as you receive a strike than face a computer on your television screen. Not all new innovations can become a technological revolution. Even though this new gaming system, the Nintendo Wii has sparked conversation about its unique design and playing method as well as increase the sales for Nintendo, I believe that the Nintendo Wii is just another hype.

Reading in Cyberspace?!?


Among the many tools that Google has provided wed-users with such as Google map, Google News, and much more, Google has once again provided a new tool, though very controversial, for us users: Google Book Search. Like the description written below, the program is used to: Search the full text of books and discover new ones. How does Google have access to these books? Well, it has scanned the reading material and now possesses a database full of them. However, this library-based digitization would have a negative impact on Google's relationships with publishers. Google, has agreed to "respect authors and publishers" and would only show a limited amount of contents from these books that are copyright and printed. The content that is allowed to be shown is all decided by the publishers. This "limited amount" usually means only a few sentences, or in some cases, maybe a few pages. In contrast, those books without copyright laws would be scanned and distributed as a whole with the use of Google Book Search. No matter how much content the publishers agree to have posted online with the use of this program, publishers want to make money from the sale of these books. If a free version can be downloaded online, consumers would not find the need to buy books from stores anymore, causing disturbance in the marketing world. Stores like Chapters and Indigo can lose business.

Currently, Google's competitors such as Yahoo and Microsoft have not done anything drastic to "take out their competition". However, these companies have competed with each other and it shows on their sites. many features that are on Google, such as Google News, or Google Image, are similarly on Microsoft and Yahoo's web pages. As they try to create similar tools for web-users, the competition is more intensified and this new tools, Google Book Search, would definitely spark up conversation at Yahoo or Microsoft headquarters. I believe that this technology wouldn't have such a huge impact on the access to information. Because Google Book Search would only usually provide a few lines of text for users, not much context could be drawn out of the limited amount of information provided by this program.

I believe that librarians should not be threatened by this program because firstly, why would someone want to read 5 lines of a book when they could read the whole thing?? Maybe the answer is that the internet provides this information for free... but so does the library. In addition, I doubt anyone would want to read a bunch of books on a monitor when they could carry a book around and read it on-the-go. Therefore, librarians shouldn't be threatened with this new tool created by Google. In my opinion, I think that this program is not as good as I first thought it was when I read the article. I believe that this program could only be used to one's advantage when a book, with no copyright laws, needs to be found. Otherwise, little snippets of the plots displayed in the book cannot be fully enjoyed by a reader.

When War Meets Video Games

According to the article provided from Wired, "War Games Come Marching In", war games are popular due to the current events present around the world. The article states: That's only intensified amid the battle against terrorism and the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. I believe that this statement is correct, due to the war and fighting occurring in Iraq and Afghanistan today, it has raised the society's interest, no matter what their age, on war. Why weren't war video games popular before Canadians went to war for Iraq? Because Canadians had never experienced the rush that we feel when we know that fearless soldiers are out there fighting for our country. We often hear of World War I, and World War II, two of the most famous wars in Canadian history. As we possess some background knowledge on how wars are fought and the sacrifices that must be made by the families and friends of those soldiers, out interest on this topic heightens providing us with more knowledge and curiosity. I believe that through the use of video games, we can not only broaden our understanding of war in history, but also experiencing the intensity of war as this may be as close to war as any of us may be.

If it's not realistic, it's not worth playing

I disagree with this statement. If a game is not realistic, then it's not worth playing, then none of the video games are worth playing if this is the criteria for a good video game. Let's take a look at other video games on the market other than war games. Let's take Mario Kart for example. Mario Kart is no where close to realistic. Racing on a speed track while gaining items, being able to shoot them at your opponents to slow them down is a very creative concept. Realistic? I don't think so! Therefore, video games, such as Call of Duty 3 integrates imagination with a hint of a history lesson. While males and females from a variety of ages can enjoy the fun and intensity of a war video game, they can also be provided with a visual idea of how wars are fought and strategic moves that must be used to defeat the opposition.

Though I have never played a war video game before, from the article that I've just read and my friend's comments on war games, I believe that it has definitely sparked an interest in today's society in terms of video game; it has practically made a genre of its own! I think that those who oppose of war video games don't take a look at the good side to them. Not only can they help gamers understand the environment of war while playing a video game for entertainment, it can also expand one's creativity and imagination. I also think that the issues that are happening today such as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have a huge impact on the success rate of war video games such as Call of Duty 3.

An iPod Classroom


The article suggests that iPod video lectures are made for "kinesthetic learners". Personally, I don't think I could learn a whole course using this method of teaching. Even though I meet all the requirements of being hands-on, active, and require frequent breaks, I find that I understand the material being taught better when it's taught the "old fashion way" - when students can meet up with their teachers in person. For those students without the proper equipment they would not be able to enjoy the luxury to learn through "v-casting". Learning through an iPod and booking sessions with the teacher through "virtual office hours" may sound cool, but can it be as effective? I think that quick learners will value this type of learning opportunity, though for others, they may need help along the way, finding it unable for them to communicate with teachers on a regular basis making it hard to finish a course. This is definitely a disadvantage to those who can not manage their time wisely and require pushing and encouragement in order to finish unit here in Mary Ward Catholic Secondary School. Therefore, although this type of learning is not meant for me, many kinesthetic learners would most definitely benefit from this type of learning opportunity.

With the GOOD, comes the BAD



Modern day technology has definitely benefited this generation in many ways. I can say that almost every adult and teenager that you find on the street is carrying or using a form of modern-day technology - from cell phones, to iPods, to laptops. These types of communications methods have changed the society's lifestyle. Modern day technology is so convenient, that there may not seem to be a down side to it, right? Wrong!

There are many ups and downs to modern day technology. For example, cells phones are pocket-sized and portable, it can be carried anywhere, anytime. Whenever you need help or just need to talk to someone, the cell phone is there and ready to be used. Cell phones though, also have additional features other than communication. Many of these phones can take pictures on the go, play games, and send text messages - basically communicate with anyone and everyone whenever you feel like there is the need to do so. Cell phones are definitely a time-killer when you are stuck somewhere you don't want to be; you can just call someone or play games! Unfortunately, of course, with the good, comes the bad. Cell phones may seem portable and all but there can also be the lost of privacy. Since all phone numbers and records of missed calls and received calls are stored in the phone, privacy is lost. Anyone that picks up your cell phone can quickly call someone, check out the phone list, and possibly even viewing the pictures in the phone knowing who you are. The lost of privacy is definitely an issue. The community just needs to be careful and make sure than unwanted attention doesn't get drawn towards you with strangers browsing through your phone.

Other forms of modern day technology that has its advantages and disadvantages include laptops, iPods, portable video games such as PSP's, and even internet blogs like these! Portable video games and iPod's for instance, are fun and enjoyable. They can kill time and let you relax and separate yourself from homework and stress. Even though it may seem like the best thing in the world, to listen to music, and play games advancing to higher and higher levels, it can be very addicting. Addiction to anything isn't good, let alone video games. Schoolwork and important jobs that need to be done may end up not getting done because too much time is spent on advancing to higher levels, or beating someone else to a level. It distracts you from your priorities and getting what actually needs to get done. iPod's too, can be distracting. Research is done and has shown that many teenagers, even adults who listen to their iPod's turn the volume up so high, that their eardrums are becoming damages. This is a down side to modern day technology; eardrums that are damaged may be permanent and will have a lifetime effect on the ear. Emotions and feelings can be expressed through blogs but these blogs can be read by everyone who owns internet! Privacy is lost and strangers can also get to start to know more about you and your habits without you even knowing!

Therefore, even though technology may seem convenient, there are many negative sides to it. Society has to be careful and make sure that they aren't one of those people who are unconsciously being sucked into the bad habits and negative impacts that modern technology may bring.

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