Journal Entry #6: Reading in Cyberspace?!?

The Google Book Search tool is used by many to find and preview books that they are interested in or may want to buy. Sometimes, there are no previews. Some have snippet views, others with a limited preview, and some have a full view of the text in the book. This library-based digitization occasionally challenges the relationship of Google with publishers. If a book is determined by Google as “out of copyright”, then a full view of the book would be available to readers. This is very unfair to many authors because even though they may have given permission to them, the preview does give a judgmental impression to readers. A book usually starts to get interesting in the middle where the best information lies, but by only giving a preview of a few pages or so, readers may miss out on good books from first previews.

As well, in response to the challenge, Yahoo! and Microsoft also created a book search tool and that creates chaos. Information from the books is becoming too exposed on the internet and pretty soon there won’t be a need for a library no more. People may just choose to overlook books on these sites and forget all about the joy of actually reading from an actual hard-cover book.

This service is also threatening librarians. Nowadays, there are already holding services available through the internet. If this program continues to develop, pretty soon there won’t be a need anymore to even borrow real books from the library, so why would librarians be needed? It is a serious dilemma that no one has noticed yet.

I, personally, think it is unfair to have this kind of tool. It is convenient I must say, but I feel that it is stepping over the line. To be honest, when websites were first created, books were already pushed to a lower level when the consideration of sources comes to mind. Many people would just Google the topic they need and use the information on the sites as reference. Very little people would actually drive to the library and search up information from books. If this service continues to develop, authors, librarians, and publishers would be at threat. Also, if I was an author, I’d be disappointed that all my hard work isn’t being appreciated by readers. I would really want someone to buy my book and enjoy what I have written. By reading it over the internet is wasting the piece of work and disrespecting it. I feel that this tool shouldn’t be too used by others and should stay the way it is already. Books shouldn’t be replaced by the internet.

Journal Entry #5: Are Wii the Children of the Revolution?

I personally believe that all the fuss about the new Nintendo Wii gaming system is just hype. We should learn to know that almost every time a new electronic product comes out, a big fuss is made about it. In some cases, the price would be expensive and the stock would be limited. Yet many people would still line up for many hours to buy it and the Nintendo Wii is one of those products. However, once this product becomes common and everyone owns it, the hype would decrease and eventually fade away. It is just like how Play Station, Play Station 2, PSP, DS, and even iPods were. Since this advance gaming system is invented, it is almost guaranteed that in the near future, the next generation of it or an even greater product would be created and put out in the market. By then, all the attention would be drawn to the new product and the Wii will just be like all the others. There is a strong counter argument though. Wii is another type of game system. It requires movement and is fit for players of almost any age to play. Players actually have to be involved and it truly makes the game much more realistic. This may seem like a technological revolution. Still, all the game products that have been put into the market so far require almost no physical energy. This is a really daring, new, and big step that I don’t think will succeed overtime. Gamers choose to game when they are bored or want to rest their bodies and minds sometimes. The Wii game system may seem to satisfy their needs, but will tire them out real quick. I have played the Wii before and that’s why I understand. Gamers may think at this moment that the new excitement of being physically involved in the game is the fun that they want. Nonetheless, in the end, I believe they will go back to the old games and enjoy just sitting and playing on their computer or play stations. These arguments that I have stated in my response were influenced by a few of my friends who thinks that the Wii is a waste of money and time. I have expanded their points and combined with my own to defend my belief.

Journal Entry #4: BBC's >Click

The episode I watched from the BBC Click programme was the one aired on November 25, 2006. It talks about the advance technology functions available in high-rise South Korea flats, free anti-virus programs available, the new Nintendo game set Wii, and websites that allow us to upload photos and professionally editing it.

The high-tech South Korea flats discussed in this episode appeared the most appealing to me. It includes a panel on the wall that allows you to choose which device to control in the apartment and shows how much electricity has been consumed. Video messages may also be displayed there and the television can tell you if your laundry is finished or not and will let you know if someone is visiting. When you are away, you can also access the home system by a PC and know who’s been trying to get in your house. The house has a system that tracks down where you are around at all times and the refrigerator provides recipes and as well gives a warning when food is expired. The house of future organizes our lives and gives us constant reminders of our schedules. It is extremely convenient and personally I am really looking forward to living in a house like this in my later years. It can be said to be my dream house.

As for one of the most popular topics among teens today, we have the Wii. It displays more intense graphics and allows gamers to become more involved in games while actually putting their bodies into action. It is consider quite cheap and overall gives a positive impression to many families. It can be used to view photos and messaging as well. I agree the unique physical experience gamers get makes them the more attracted to this product and it is definitely one of the gaming industry’s greatest inventions. However, I know of dangers in playing the Wii so it is best to be enthusiastic but stay safe. A game is only most fun when it is safely and freely played. Gamers should stay aware that even though they are required to be more involved when playing that it is only a game and not reality.

I am quite impressed after watching a Click episode. I think they provide excellent information and makes incredible discoveries to share with us. In watching it we can become more aware of how much our technology advances each day and the shaping of our high-tech future.

Journal Entry #3: When War meets Video Games

In the 21st century, we know for a fact that war video games are very popular among teen gamers. However, has anyone ever thought of the question “why?” Why does war games specifically appear so attractive and addictive to gamers? Why war and not something else like love? I personally can think of several explanations.

For one, the content of violence is involved. In the real world, any kind of violence act is restricted by the law. If we break them, we get punished. However, in war games, the objective is to kill the opponent. No consequences realistically are involved.

As well, war games provide satisfaction of the mind to thinkers. Those who like to solve problems may become addicted to them. This is because not only can one be given a situation to think up a plan for, they may also see their strategies and solutions in real action of the game. There is an actual result for every move they decide to make in these video games.

People who have low self-esteem or are facing severe problems in life may also be attracted to war games. In playing a war video game, one’s existence may be largely acknowledged if they are really good players. They are judged, but only for their skills and strategy, and not anything else like appearance or race. In addition, if a player dies, they can just restart and play all over again. It’s never-ending. Choices can be re-made and it’s never too late. On the other hand, in the real world, what’s done is done. There is no turning back. We only have one life and there is no second chance. In playing video games, it is a way of a temporary escape from the real world of pressure and work.

Still, not all war video games are worth playing. It appears that only war games that are realistic are considered worth playing by gamers. Why is that? That is because the most fun part of war video games is seeing your strategies and plans come into life. Again, referring to the first reason of why people like to play war video games: violence can be carried out without any punishment of the law. If these actions don’t even appear realistic then that really is a major turn off for gamers.

In the end, I feel war games aren’t bad, yet if we play too much of them, it’s not good either. They are truly helpful to us in temporary escapes from the real world, but if we don’t realize that it is really just a game, then we may end up sucked into its world and never fully come out of it again. Too little wouldn’t be satisfying and too much would separate us from reality. Thus, just enough to release pressure and have the fun we need to save us from our busy lives is ideal.

Journal Entry #2: An IPOD classroom?

I believe it is quite obvious that one of the most popular technology devices used today would be iPods. They are convenient and easy to use as well. Many would just look at it as a device for listening to music, viewing videos, and even just storing pictures and files. However, recently, an article was published and it suggests to us a whole new idea of using our iPods as our basic school system. Students may receive homework, notes, and seminars from it and can have the freedom of planning their own schedule and classes as they prefer. Now does that not sound familiar? Yes. This learning system is very similar to our very own Mary Ward self-directed learning system. Better yet, the iPod learning method provides students with even more freedom!

Now the question at debate is “Should Mary Ward, with its commitment to self-directed learning, embrace such technology for education?” Many students I bet may say “YES” right away and it’s very reasonable for them to say so, because many advantages comes to mind once this idea is proposed:

• Not having to attend school
  o Self-planned classes for students who have rather hectic schedules normally
  o May obtain more sleep
  o The choice of taking a break at anytime
  o The saving of transportation fees
• Provoking deeper and more independent thoughts in students since they are, more or less, receiving less guidance from teachers
• Students may choose to review the information offered in the seminars as many times as they wish
• For those who are hard-working and have a strong sense of self-discipline, they may go ahead on courses and take things at their own speed

And even teachers may benefit from this system as well. They can save a lot of work with not having to give the same seminar multiple times and marking may also be done conveniently on the computer once they transfer files from the iPod to it.

However, there are strong disadvantages that require our careful consideration as well:

• Students may slack off big time with the exceeding freedom they have --> may also be easily get distracted by other functions of the iPod
• The health of students and teachers may be damaged through the frequent use of the iPod and computer
• Unless the school provides an iPod, or else some individuals may not be able to afford one
• Teachers and students with only the interaction through an iPod, may fail to develop trust in each other which is a significant part of learning
  

With these disadvantages in mind as well, it would be hard to mark a definite right or wrong to this suggestion. Though, I personally don’t think I will learn well with an iPod learning system. I require a lot of teacher-student interaction and I believe my need exceeds the amount of communication the iPod system can provide. As well, I really don’t have much self-discipline. With the unbelievable amount of freedom I’ll have with the iPod learning system, I truly think I will procrastinate and even fail courses. For those who aren’t like me though, this may be the golden chance that they’ve been waiting for.

Journal Entry #1: With the GOOD, comes the BAD

Technology plays a big part in our everyday lives even though we may not notice it. It has made our lives a lot more convenient. Yet along with the good, usually comes the bad. For an example, I'll analyze the pros and cons of a common communication program used by people of all ages (mostly teenagers) in today's world, MSN Messenger:

Pros:

• Allows us to communicate with people at different places --> even those across the world, as long as they have a computer
• Allows us to communicate with those who live at a place with a different timezone more conveniently --> as long as you have your MSN and computer on, a message can be left to inform the person what needs to be told
• Meeting new friends
• Allows those who are shy or inexpressive in person to express their feelings and thoughts more freely using this program as their communicator
• Free of charge
• Entertaining functions comes along with the package (i.e. games)

Cons:

• Meeting new people that may be dangerous and harmful
• Very addictive and distracting
• May begin to lose real life communication skills(talking, listening, etc. to others)
• Lose writing skills through the use of lingo and short form
• May easily be hacked

Although we may not realize, MSN Messenger has become a habit and "survival" need for many teenagers today. It has become the common way teens choose to make information known to one another and, as well, meeting new friends. The program is indeed very convenient in teen's eyes, yet most adults approach it with disfavour. They think it is too addictive and their kids spend so much time talking on MSN that they eventually start to communicate less with the family. Either way, both perspectives are reasonable and understandable. I think all technology has its good and bad side, but if we know how to use it properly, the good may show more than bad.

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Hello ^^ My name is Carmen. I'm just a normal everyday Mary Ward grade 10 student that made this blog just for a unit of my course. Errr...yeah =] Have fun surfing around and good luck. Bye~!