Dangers of Technology?

Nicki was speaking about the ill effects of technology on her blog. She mentioned how our youth are getting themselves into bad situations through the use of technology and inappropriate pictures circulating through email or lost phones. We all have been aware of online predators for awhile now (thanks Dateline), but lately there have been issues with teens and young adults having inappropriate pictures and information loose on the web or email. Oprah has done shows on how some young adults have been disgraced, lost job opportunities, etc. because of their pictures and statements on Myspace/Facebook type social networking. We have also heard in the news about the mother who teased and bullied a friend of her child over the internet to the point of suicide and now a similar situation has occurred. The Early Show this morning shared the story about the 19 year old boy committing suicide in his bedroom with the Web Cam on. This young man who had been diagnosed with Bi-Polar Disorder took pills and died as onlookers thought his actions were a joke or something for the benefit of the internet site. Some of them even posted comments on his website to that effect and called him names. It is such a shame that things like this are happening at all, let alone in full view of the world. I believe this is another technological aspect that will require adjusting to. We need to educate our youth on the dangers of not only online predators and posting PII (Personally Identifying Information) , but what they post/upload as far as pictures, accounts of partying, etc. because they could hurt their future careers or reputations if something goes wrong. We also need to teach all people to be 'better safe than sorry' and if they see something online (such as a suicide) please alert the authorities and let them decide if it is a prank or not. There are downfalls to every new advancement, even technology. News articles are stating not to blame the internet which is fine, but how can we use the internet to prevent some of these things? This young man may not have died if someone had noticed and spoken up. Not only did he have people near him, but he was there online for the whole world to have a chance to save him....it did not happen. Only the disease is to blame but this situation had the opportunity of ending differently.

Google's version of Skype

Well it appears that there is a Skype style program available through Google's gmail. Check it out here! I am really wanting to do something like this with my family, some of whom are 8 hours away and some are just 1 hour away (still we only see each other every few weeks). It looks like the cost can be less than $50 to get the audio headset and webcam for each home (see http://www.amazon.com/ or click here). It is great that the programs (gmail or Skype) are free and easily accessable. I also wanted to add that I have been accessing some of my blogs, not only through google reader but also on my personalized igoogle page as well (just add the reader as a gadget).

Audio File

Today we have learned a lot about audio files and I have added my first audio file in this post as well as over to the left in 'LINKS' the navigation bar.  Please listen and enjoy! I have also added the direct audio clip here:  

Nov. 7th Class

In class tonight we learned about Skype. I think we all had some fun with this.  Here is the Skype website  to download it at home.  This evening was very informative.   I enjoyed tonight a lot and the technology was fascinating.  I think we collaborated very well this evening as well.  **I have also fallen in love with Google all over again.  That document 'cloud' is great!

Power Positions

I know that both parties of this election have their stories and there are always some people (dingbats) that ruin it for others, but my concern with this video is not just the political view, but the 'power' this teacher used over her students.  It is my belief that teachers, managers, etc in 'power positions' over others should not push their views onto their subordinates-Especially in elementary schools!  This reminds me of the teacher in CA that took her first grade class to the courthouse to witness her marriage to her girlfriend for a class trip. 

Social Bookmarking

This Common Craft video we just listened to in class tonight is very interesting.  This Social Bookmarking video has shown me another new technology tool I did not know about that will save a lot of time when searching different websites of interest.  I know this will save me time, but how will it aid the rest of you either in your job or with groups you share an interest with? Try out Social Bookmarking .  Delicious!

Top 10 Blogs...

I was looking around for other blogs to follow and found this Top 10 list at blogs.com. It has everything from children's literature to politics or even knitting.

Election Draws Near....

I was posting on another blog in reply to other student's in class and I really liked what I had to say. Wow! That was really conceited of me.. What I mean to say is that my idea about being neither right wing conservative, nor far left liberal was expressed well. My thoughts were... " I think that our political system is a joke (although I would have no idea how to improve it). Our campaigns cost so much and each party understands the psychology of our society and they all just say what will get them elected. We citizens really have no idea exactly how things work in DC and what decisions will be made. Again, who's to say the president will even make much of a difference on any issue. I am also in the middle on many issues and I believe that I have a right to clearly state what I feel about the issues, even if I am not a right wing conservative or left liberal. We, in the middle, are just not afraid of admitting that we have no idea what the best decision would be for our whole country. Being severely left or right is the same thing that is wrong with 'religion'. They think that their's is THE ONLY WAY to be. Sorry, but this world is too big to have 1 religion or 1 political party be THE ANSWER." (please note: I think religion and political parties do allows us an established basis for direction-thought/laws/morals and that is good-I am ranting about the extremes and close minded aspects) That rant, I thought, deserved a space on my blog and so there it is. Please share with me how you feel as this election date arrives in just a few days.