User:JMont

Mid-Term
For my midterm I chose the topic of solar energy. I believed that this was the most interesting and important because the sun is essentially an infinite source of energy and energy can power all technology. I felt that the only way to improve solar energy tech and make it more widespread is to increase funds for research and engineering to make it as cost efficient as possible and thus more widespread.

Final Project
 1. Introduction   2. Privacy and Freedom of Speech  3. Intellectual Property  4. Crime   5. Employment, Education and Entertainment   6. Midterm- Millennium Development Goal   7. Evaluating and Controlling Technology   8. Risk, Failure and Responsibilities   9. Anytime, Anywhere   10. Technology Advances, Social Trend 
 * The Impact of the Internet on Society: A Global Perspective- Selected Media -- (Recommended)
 * A summary of another larger article about, as the name states, the overall impact of the internet on societies of the world. It has positive view on the topic, stating the new benefits provided by the internet. One that interested me the most is the use of the internet in sociopolitical practices. "Messages no longer flow solely from the few to the many, with little interactivity. Now, messages also flow from the many to the many, multimodally and interactively". I completely agree with this and found the article well written and thought provoking.
 * How computers change the way we learn - Own Research/Discussion Thread
 * This article discusses how computers and the internet have changed modern education throughout the years, how "the easier path to learning makes us all a bit smarter, and a bit more creative". I chose this because I found the information interesting and enlightening. I quite enjoy these kinds of optimistic articles that also are not heavily biased. I also agree with the author and Alfred Spector in that technology does have possible negatives in education but the positives outweigh them overall.
 * Internet studies - Own Research
 * A Wikipedia article about the study of societal impacts by the internet (e.g. this class) . I found it informative and the fact that there is an entire field of study revolving around the effects of the internet is fascinating. It includes general information about the study, its history, and a list of topics often investigated in it.
 * Teens, Social Media, and Privacy - Own Research -- (Recommended)
 * An article written by researchers from the Pew Research Center. It gives a varied amount of information from a 2013 survey of 802 teenagers about their activities on social media, such as how much information they share, their friend count, etc. It states that teenagers "are sharing more information about themselves on social media sites than they did in the past" and uses relevant statistics to back up the information. However it also shows the other side of the coin, including statistics about ways teenagers attempt to protect their identity and online experience. I recommend this because it holds a large amount of information while also having very unbiased analyses of that information.
 * Four Reasons to Care About Your Digital Footprint- Selected Media
 * This is a great video that really enforces how severe it can be share one's information online. It tackles the problem of many people believing that their online privacy is not a big deal and that they have "nothing to hide". It does this through examples of the different ways one's online information can become detrimental (financial loss, uncontrolled spread of personal information, etc). Then it links a relevant page by the creators about helping one manage their digital footprint.
 * The 5 biggest online privacy threats of 2013 - Selected Media
 * A list of five major privacy threats in recent times: Cookie proliferation, cloud data, location data, photos/images, and cyber security scanning. The information is very general/broad which makes the article easy to understand and apply to one's online life. I found the information very useful and learned a lot about how each specific threat can cause trouble, the most obvious one being personal photos shared online.
 * Copyright and Fair Use Animation - Selected Media -- (Recommended)
 * An quick, informative and entertaining YouTube video about what copyright and fair use are, how they work, and the specifics in which they can be used. It is primarily directed towards content creators to help them ensure that they are applying fair use to their creations correctly. I chose this because it is very informative while also being short and to the point; no pointless fluff/filler.
 * The Complete Guide To Fair Use & YouTube - Own Research/Discussion Thread
 * Another source of information about fair use. It is about how fair use specifically affects YouTube users and how they can make use of it in content creation. Even though I am not a YouTube content creator I still found this article very useful because it gives a direct view of how fair use can affect someone.
 * Ultimate Guide to Copyright for Students- Selected Media
 * As its name states, this page holds information about copyright and is primarily directed towards students. It answers some questions about copyright and definitions of specific terms such as copyright infringement and public domain. It also clears up any confusion about copyright compared to plagiarism. It makes me wonder how a student could get involved in copyright troubles.
 * The most important security question to ask users - Selected Media -- (Recommended)
 * This article states that the most important defense against online risk is user education, that people should be educated on what risks they take when going online and what they should do to prevent/avoid them. It says that more corporations should enforce computer security training to fight against these risks. I chose this article because it is a very general tip that can apply to just about everything and I completely agree with the author.
 * European aviation body warns of cyber-attack risk against aircraft - Own Research/Discussion Thread
 * The European Aviation Safety Agency has warned that aircraft using certain types of communication/reporting systems are at risk of attacks by hackers. Experts have stated that "airlines must ensure that safety critical systems and control networks are segregated from publicly accessible facilities". I added this in because it is a good example that shows how severe these crimes could be. In this case a hacker could cause a serious tragedy.
 * Internet Fraud - Selected Media
 * This is a page directly from the FBI's gov website. It is a list of tips to help prevent internet users from being scammed or robbed of their identification online including internet auction fraud, credit card, fraud, investment fraud, etc. I think government agencies should warn the public of these threats even more. These warnings help enforce the severity of the problems they state; even more so when it is the government creating those warning.
 * Khan Academy: The man who wants to teach the world - Selected Media -- (Recommended)
 * This article a short biography of Salman Khan, the founder of the educational websiteKhan Academy, and a promotion of his bookThe One World Schoolhouse. The article quotes his statements of his beliefs for the most effective forms of education and what parents and teachers should do to improve education for students. He believes that we need to move on from traditional education and that parents should be more involved in their kids' school work. 'In 500 years I hope people look back and say, “Imagine, kids had to learn in classrooms that were like factories and it was unheard of for an eight-year-old to truly deeply understand quantum physics. Isn’t that strange?”’ he states. As an occasional user of his website I found that I agree with his statements on current education.
 * How computers change the way we learn- Own Research/Discussion Thread
 * Note: This is a repeat of the information from 1. Introductions; the information is the same and still applicable.This article discusses how computers and the internet have changed modern education throughout the years, how "the easier path to learning makes us all a bit smarter, and a bit more creative". I chose this because I found the information interesting and enlightening. I quite enjoy these kinds of optimistic articles that also are not heavily biased. I also agree with the author and Alfred Spector in that technology does have possible negatives in education but the positives outweigh them overall.
 * How tech-driven learning can benefit students with disabilities - Selected Media
 * This page is about the benefits of online learning for specifically students with disabilities. One major problem faced by those with disabilities is exclusion. Strict discipline policies have often resulted in many suspensions and expulsions. Another is problem is difficulty in learning traditionally: textbooks, exams, etc. Online learning helps alleviate these problems for many students with disabilities, using a massive variety of apps and other ways of learning. This makes me wonder whether these new forms of education are superior to traditional education, at least in some cases. I guess the only way to find out is to wait and see whether the methods of education change for the majority of students.
 * The economic effects of cheaper solar power - Midterm -- (Recommended)
 * Each article I've chosen for my midterm are noticeably concise, short yet detailed. This article is notable because from an economics website and naturally includes facts and statistics in its cause. The information shows that solar energy has been decreasing in cost dramatically over the past few decades, from over $16 per watt to just $1 per watt -- just a bit higher than the coal/natural gas cost range. It states that increased use of solar energy will result in a greater prevalence of hybrid/electric vehicles such as cars and trains. Solar energy can not only benefit the user, but also reduce environmental costs. The author states at the end: "The reluctance to switch to solar power is delaying a global improvement in living standards". I chose this article because I agree with the viewpoints of the author and it includes a large amount of facts and statistics to back them up.
 * Problems With Solar Energy - Why It Is Not More Widely Used - Midterm
 * This article, of course, lists the possible problems with using solar energy that prevent widespread use. Like the previous articles, facts and statistics are included to reinforce the author's points. Notably, less than 0.5% of North America's energy was produced by solar power, despite the vast amount of land in where the sun continuously shines. It states that some major problems of solar energy are efficiency (only 22%, rest wasted as heat) and high investment cost (high cost for panels, installation, and maintenance). The author's solutions to the problems are simply increased efficiency in energy production, mass production to reduce investment cost, and energy storage systems to prevent the weather from becoming a problem for those using solar energy. It makes me think how long it will be before traditional energy sources become phased out. With hydro, nuclear, wind, and solar power on the rise (a more efficient, yet expensive, solar energy panel has been released: 43%) it seems that these new sources of energy will become widespread very soon.
 * The Advantages of Solar Energy vs Other Renewable Energy Sources - Midterm
 * This is a page from a solar energy provider website so, naturally, there is some noticeable bias. It compares solar energy to wind, hydro, and biomass power; in this case, it simply lists the benefits of solar energy over the others. Although the page is undoubtedly biased, I still found it very informative. The positives it lists that solar energy has over the other sources of energy and completely true: wind power being large and mostly only usable in rural areas, hydro power needs large dams that are difficult to build and can cause environmental problems such as killing off river wildlife, biomass producing C02 emissions and requires large spaces like the other two.
 * Hank vs. Hank: The Net Neutrality Debate in 3 Minutes - Selected Media - (Recommended)
 * This is a YouTube video by a popular YouTuber in which he stages a comedic debate with himself on net neutrality. The video is quick and concise; I learned a surprisingly large amount of information based on the arguments by both sides. While it shouldn't be relied on entirely, it is a great introduction video on the controversial topic of net neutrality.
 * Big Idea 2015: Are You Controlling Technology, or Is Technology Controlling You? - Selected Media
 * Many people believe that the population is too reliant on technology. According to the Future Foundation, 56% of Americans agree that “the stresses of modern life mean that people are less happy than they used to be". The author introduces the notion of "Cruise Control", that technology does not control us but instead helps us control our lives. I agree with the author in that technology is beneficial to many people, and feel that technology improves my own life.
 * Technology vs. Humans: Who's Controlling Whom? - Own Research
 * This article asks the same question as the previous. The author is openly pro-technology, but tries to take a more neutral view on the topic: "...none of this is inherently good or bad, but is worth looking at to see how it's affecting our lives". I understand the author's neutral point of view. The benefits or detriments of technology really depends entirely on the person using it.
 * The Internet: Power Without Responsibility? - Own Research/Discussion Thread -- (Recommended)
 * This article is about how the internet can empower many people due to anonymity and possibly control. It highlights the problems of responsibility online and whether real life morals and ideals should apply to online use. The author believes that they should apply, to prevent these "power" abuses. I agree with the author and found the article to be enlightening. It can really change how one behaves/acts online.
 * What Are the Downsides of Computerized Medicine? - Own Research/Discussion Thread
 * This is an interview with Dr. Robert Wachter, UC San Francisco, about the negatives of technology in medicine. The questions answered are about possible ways technology is not reliable and more intrusive in the work of doctors: e.g. a teenage patient was given an antibiotic dose over 38 times the recommended amount due to an error. Despite the problems technology can bring, Wachter still believes that technology has provided a net benefit over practices of the past. I agree with Wachter's view on technology. It may be beneficial, but it could still have problems and we should tread lightly when progressing in certain fields.
 * Kettles are leaking WiFi passwords (and other failures of the Internet of Things) - Own Research/Discussion Thread
 * This article is about controlling household appliances through smart devices using a Wi-Fi connection. The example used in the article was the iKettle, a kettle that connects to the home's Wi-Fi network to allow wireless control through devices. It highlights the problem of privacy invasion and hackers being able to literally affect one's actual real life house. I did find it a bit depressing that someone would risk their privacy in order to use a kettle wirelessly, but I still believe that it is okay for products to exist. They just need to drop the Wi-Fi reliance.
 * Geofencing: The future of Geo-Location Technology- Selected Media --(Recommended)
 * This is about geofencing, in which GPS and local radio-frequency identifiers can be used to define locations/regions. Two example uses described in the article are tagging cattle to prevent ranchers from losing them, and the use of devices to control household appliances such as thermostats and lights. While the examples aren't exactly crucial, it highlights the fact that this technology has potentially unlimited uses. Perhaps it could be used to tag tourists to prevent them from getting lost, or help scientists/researchers study wildlife. From mundane convenience to life-saving uses, this technology is undoubtedly innovative.
 * What Are the Potential Benefits of Online Learning? - Selected Media (Week 5)
 * As the title states, this article is about the many possible benefits of learning through the internet: convenience and flexibility, student enrichment, and cost-effective choices. I never knew about the other benefits of student enrichment and cost efficiency. Due to how advanced mobile devices have become, it is now entirely possible take part in a class anywhere at any time. Because of this article I had decided to sign up for more online classes next quarter. As for the article itself, I recommended it because it quick and concise, short but still very in-depth.
 * How Virtualization and BYOD Help Students Learn Anywhere, Anytime - Own Research/Discussion Thread
 * This article describes the application of "Bring Your Own Device" in school classrooms, in which students do not rely on school provided devices but their own instead. The benefits this provides are that students can bring their devices outside of school wherever they want/need and the lack of restrictions placed on their devices that are often used to protect school property. The ability to takes notes/information from a class lecture then follow up on those notes in a restaurant, then at the park, then in your home all in a single devices is actually more useful than many believe it to be. As someone who occasionally does this when allowed, I find it important and a step forward in education.
 * 15 Ways The World Will Be Awesome In 2050 - Selected Media -- (Recommended)
 * This is a list of positives of the future brought by technology, many of them very important. These include disease curing, improved artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and lowered poverty ratios worldwide. Personally, I am excited to see what comes in the future and found this article to be very heartwarming.
 * Poll: Today’s Society Too Dependent on Gadgets - Selected Media
 * This, of course, is a poll about the public's view on electronic devices. According to a Harris Poll, "Nearly two-thirds (65%) of Americans think that today’s society is too dependent upon electronic gadgets, and 39% do not think technology (such as mobile phones, Wi-Fi networks and GPS) really makes people more productive". I do think that we are very reliant on technology, but I believe that it is a good thing we use technology and that it does make us more productive. To me, being "too reliant" on an electronic devices is like being "too reliant" on tools or "too reliant" on medicine.
 * Trip To The Future - Events Will Take Place Until 2050 - Selected Media
 * This is a YouTube video about possible events that will happen in the future. While I did find this intriguing, I did not recommend it over 15 Ways The World Will Be Awesome In 2050 because, unlike the other article, the events predicted do not seem to be based on data or facts. For example, in 2024 "Dark matter and dark energy secrets will be revealed". This is not backed by any information. Many of the predictions seems too far fetched and too akin to science fiction.