“I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to show you much…” Steve Jobs
On June 8th, true to form of Apple’s CEO Steve Jobs love for showmanship selling, Apple announced the release of the much talked about and even leaked, iPhone 4. Jobs has always been known for elaborate presentations to highlight the latest technological breakthroughs by Apple and this presentation was nothing short of what the man loves to do and that’s awe an audience. The iPhone 4 was leaked by a blog site known as Gizmodo months before the presentation after one of the editors of the site supposedly found an iPhone 4 left on the table in a bar by a careless Apple developer. Photos were shown and minute details of what the first impressions were of the phone were given. This sparked a fire in Apple products user groupies and of course the rumors began to abound and the much awaited release presentation was all anyone could focus on.
Steve Jobs took the stage and began a very lengthy presentation of the iPhone 4 beginning with the new design. An all glass front panel and rear panel wrapped around the edges with a metallic band, gave a rather visually sharp first impression of the new phone. As Jobs proceeded to demonstrated some of the new features one could see that Apple really struggled to fill the new iPhone with features that would set it far apart from the previous versions. Also noted with the new features were big name companies that seemed to have jumped on board such as Netflix, to provide services to the iPhone that are not found on any other smart phone as of yet. Video conferencing, sharper display, better usage of apps, and faster processors made the icing on the cake that much sweeter. Overall, Apples new iPhone will be impressive for any smart phone user willing to pay the money to purchase one and with the integration of some of the latest tools written by the big names, this iPhone could be the answer to everyones smart phone needs and then some.
References:
Author(s):Yukari Iwatani Kane, Ian Sherr
Publication title:Wall Street Journal. (Eastern edition). New York, N.Y.: Jun 8, 2010. pg. B.1
Internet Addiction and the Online Classroom
An interesting article from NY Online Education Examiner that talks about how some people that use the internet are struggling with a craving of the stimulation they get from electronic gadgets after they have logged off. They also talk about how this is impacting the focus on the family. In a New York Times published on June 6th 2010, it mentions the following: “Scientists say juggling e-mail, phone calls and other incoming information can change how people think and behave. They say our ability to focus is being undermined by bursts of information. These play to a primitive impulse to respond to immediate opportunities and threats. The stimulation provokes excitement — a dopamine squirt — that researchers say can be addictive. In its absence, people feel bored. While many people say multitasking makes them more productive, research shows otherwise. Heavy multitaskers actually have more trouble focusing and shutting out irrelevant information, scientists say, and they experience more stress.”
I know in my line of work if I don’t have both monitors running, my instant message moving with at least five conversations, my wireless headset on mute and an IPod earplug listening to music in the other ear, then I do not feel efficient. Now I need to rethink what efficient really is.Or isn’t.
Sax, Boria. June 7, 2010 http://www.examiner.com/x-45810-NY-Online-Education-Examiner~y2010m6d7-Internet-Addiction-and-the-Online-Classroom
Ritchel, Matt. June 6, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/07/technology/07brain.html?scp=1&sq=hooked%20on%20gadgets&st=cse
I know in my line of work if I don’t have both monitors running, my instant message moving with at least five conversations, my wireless headset on mute and an IPod earplug listening to music in the other ear, then I do not feel efficient. Now I need to rethink what efficient really is.Or isn’t.
Sax, Boria. June 7, 2010 http://www.examiner.com/x-45810-NY-Online-Education-Examiner~y2010m6d7-Internet-Addiction-and-the-Online-Classroom
Ritchel, Matt. June 6, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/07/technology/07brain.html?scp=1&sq=hooked%20on%20gadgets&st=cse
Cyber Bullying
The National Crime Prevention Counsel's definition of cyber-bullying is "when the Internet, cell phones or other devices are used to send or post text or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person." What it comes down to is the biggest kid on the playground has gone hi-tech and can now torment their prey 24/7. Ironically enough, the very world in which many victims once fled to every afternoon has become just as abusive as their school day. Social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook allow for slanderous statements to be made with little retaliation. In my opinion, much of this I view as petty since it can do little to disparage an adult but in the highly impressionable world of a teenager it can be as devastating as a pantsing at prom. These formidable years of youth are rife with infighting, cattiness and cruelty; all of which can lead to depression which long outlasts the years past 12th grade.
In the wake of several teen suicides, cyber-bullying has become the matter of numerous news stories. What was once parents' largest fear being online predators, they must now ensure their child's well-being from what we think are their friends. Of course, being parents we have the disadvantage of not knowing the intricacies of our children's relationships with their peers other than what we are told...because of course, we've never been in their shoes and couldn't possibly understand. Perhaps they're right, though. We didn't have cell phones and we certainly didn't have texting, camera phones to capture every embarrassing incident, e-mail or youtube to publish our worst moments.
Legislation is being passed in numerous states making cyber-bullying a crime. To what degree should it be though? Does it rate a felony or a misdemeanor? By making it a felony, the perpetrators face having a lifelong mark against them but does a misdemeanor fit a crime which could possibly lead to suicide? This brave new world we live in will require an adjustment to the potential and the dangers it creates.
Breaking Down the Walls
Computer mediated communication (CMC) is partly a reengineering of education. Not only in the sense of rethinking the organization of site based schools, but also in the sense of finding ways to unite computers and telecommunications. Hence bringing down the schoolhouse walls; to deliver instructional content when and where it is needed-whether in the home, the work place, or the school.
CMC promotes a type of interaction that is often lacking in the traditionally-based classroom. It allows learners the freedom to explore alternate pathways--to find and develop their own style of learning. What if content could be delivered in the form of graphics, text, and/or full-motion video, whenever and wherever in the world it is requested? Computers are not a threat to the teacher; however, they may threaten the chalkboard.
Reference: Collins, A.(1991, September). The role of computer technology in restructuring the classroom. Phi Delta Kappan, pp. 28-36.
CMC promotes a type of interaction that is often lacking in the traditionally-based classroom. It allows learners the freedom to explore alternate pathways--to find and develop their own style of learning. What if content could be delivered in the form of graphics, text, and/or full-motion video, whenever and wherever in the world it is requested? Computers are not a threat to the teacher; however, they may threaten the chalkboard.
Reference: Collins, A.(1991, September). The role of computer technology in restructuring the classroom. Phi Delta Kappan, pp. 28-36.
Foreword
Business, Politics and culture are increasingly dominated by global ingormation technologies. When it comes to ethics in Cyber Space virtual reality is more advanced as well as challenges context. A moral problem exists when it comes to assigning information technologies equally, it confronts the imorals of the divide between rich and poor information. Ethics are coming to its own, identifying that culture is symbolized in cyberspace.
Mainly ethical issues are undeveloped in cyberspace and have not been clearly focused as of yet. Additionally to virtual reality, two other fundamental issues exist; social structures and the nature of the human. Social structure cant exist annonimously.
authored by Clifford Christians University of Illinois
Mainly ethical issues are undeveloped in cyberspace and have not been clearly focused as of yet. Additionally to virtual reality, two other fundamental issues exist; social structures and the nature of the human. Social structure cant exist annonimously.
authored by Clifford Christians University of Illinois
The Culturally Customized Web Site
Singh and Pereira (2005) wrote The Culturally Customized Web Site: Customizing Web Sites for the Global Marketplace. At first glance, this read combines a balanced amount of text and visuals and is deceptive in its simplicity. Moving through the book is easy enough. The table of contents highlights what is to come and the book is singularily focused on culture and web design. The complexity comes in the depth of the topic.
Culture is defined differently among varying disciplines and it often encompasses more than people realize. Singh and Pereira (2005) discussed perception, gender, power, patterned-ways of thinking and behaving and described how aspects such as languages, symbolism, and color mean different things based on one’s culture. They illustrated the importance of considering these and other factors while designing web sites.
The strength of this book lies in the authors’ ability to combine the what, why, and how into one. There are graphs, statistics, principles, resources and instructions for readers. The impact of globalization in terms of communication and the online marketplace was written about throughout each chapter. The only criticsm of note was that the authors assume some basic knowledge of web sites and web design that the general public may not have.
- Nick Frush
Reference:
Singh, N. & Pereira, A. (2005). The culturally customized web site: Customizing websites for the global marketplace. Burlington, MA: Elsevier Butterworth Heinemann
Culture is defined differently among varying disciplines and it often encompasses more than people realize. Singh and Pereira (2005) discussed perception, gender, power, patterned-ways of thinking and behaving and described how aspects such as languages, symbolism, and color mean different things based on one’s culture. They illustrated the importance of considering these and other factors while designing web sites.
The strength of this book lies in the authors’ ability to combine the what, why, and how into one. There are graphs, statistics, principles, resources and instructions for readers. The impact of globalization in terms of communication and the online marketplace was written about throughout each chapter. The only criticsm of note was that the authors assume some basic knowledge of web sites and web design that the general public may not have.
- Nick Frush
Reference:
Singh, N. & Pereira, A. (2005). The culturally customized web site: Customizing websites for the global marketplace. Burlington, MA: Elsevier Butterworth Heinemann
Computer Mediated Communication for the Phobic
"For you fear of people is a thing of the past. In its place you are courageous, unconcerned, brave, dauntless[,] and self reassured. From now on, and more so over time, the intrepid outlook of your free spirit grows stronger and this incorrect fear fades away. You take normal precautions and nothing more."- UNK
Case A; in 1992 there was a 26-year-old, single, male college graduate and a company employee who had been taking excessive sick leave for one year. Case B; was a 25-year-old housewife who had been married for 3 years.
These two cases are fairly similar both have a phobia that is not very familiar. Anthrophobia, Anthropophobia, or Interpersonal Relation Phobia is the fear of people or society. Thanks to Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) these people and the other people that are affected by this phobia can connect to the outside world and get the things they need such as groceries, clothing, and even entertainment. Life has definitely been changed by this added advantage for these people. Thanks to the CMC the people that are affected by this phobia may live the most normal life available to them.
Reference:
Wen-Shing Tseng, Handbook of Cultural Psychiatry PP 239,240
http://books.google.com/books
Case A; in 1992 there was a 26-year-old, single, male college graduate and a company employee who had been taking excessive sick leave for one year. Case B; was a 25-year-old housewife who had been married for 3 years.
These two cases are fairly similar both have a phobia that is not very familiar. Anthrophobia, Anthropophobia, or Interpersonal Relation Phobia is the fear of people or society. Thanks to Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) these people and the other people that are affected by this phobia can connect to the outside world and get the things they need such as groceries, clothing, and even entertainment. Life has definitely been changed by this added advantage for these people. Thanks to the CMC the people that are affected by this phobia may live the most normal life available to them.
Reference:
Wen-Shing Tseng, Handbook of Cultural Psychiatry PP 239,240
http://books.google.com/books
When Cultures and Computers Collide
Online communication is suppose to be a tool that allows people from different backgrounds to communicate directly with one another. However, there is the burden of losing the more traditional way of communicating. The rhetorical difference of how certain cultures react to expectations. The reaction of cultures in cyberspace should be studied to help understand any international conflicts. Especially in the work place where lost time may occur.
New research agendas need to be adopted focusing on the nature of intercultural communication practices in CMC environments. A good way to start this would be to compare trends noted in the CMC literature as well as in the intercultural communication practices to see if any contention exists.
New research agendas need to be adopted focusing on the nature of intercultural communication practices in CMC environments. A good way to start this would be to compare trends noted in the CMC literature as well as in the intercultural communication practices to see if any contention exists.
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