Chapter 6--Computer and Network Security

Chapter six had a lot to do with the nature of worms, viruses and other threats to network security. It seems that most of the folks who created worms and viruses did so in order to exploit the weak spots in a network's system. I wonder why these weak spots weren't "patched" prior to implementing the system? I guess what I'm asking is why can hackers find these weak spots before the software systems do? Does it have to do with the pressure to get certain products to market, warts and all? Case in point: the new iPhone. This has been the buzz of the phone industry for better part of a year and right away there is nothing but problems with it, and people are already finding ways to get internet acces without activating the phone through AT&T. Tell me that's not a major loophole. So why didn't the folks at apple see this coming? Maybe they knew it had these weaknesses, but couldn't do anything in time for the anticipated release. Similar stuff happened with the Xbox 360 and the PS3 when they were released. Hackers simply make these and other products better by showing the manufacturers where the weaknesses are. It's sort of a never-ending arms race which leads to better and better products and systems that are harder for average people to mess with. All in all, I think that's a good thing. I know that a lot of innocent people have their computers pretty messed up because of some viruses, but the general populace benefits from finding solutions to these problems. Just like they mentioned in the text about how viruses and diseases will kill a lot of people, the survivors are safeguarded against the virus in the future and are stronger for it.

Ethics for the Information Age--Chapter 5

This chapter was pretty lengthy and filled with legal history surrounding a citizen's rights to privacy. I found it interesting that the United States government always attempts to seize more surveillence authority during times of crisis. I understand that this is crucial to the goal of defeating whatever enemy, but historically, this has been abused. Governments can create a crisis situation for the sole purpose of garnering more authority over its citizens. I think many people are good natured and do not understand why the government would want to spy on them, but this chapter helped to re-inform me that the benefits of knowing far outweigh the deficits of not knowing.
After reading this chapter, I am more inclined to live "off the grid" (leaving no electronic footprints, paying in cash, not existing in any sort of database). Having all of one's crucial info linked to databases which can now be accessed without warrants means that the government now has the power to get rid of anyone they deem to be an "enemy combatant". Last December, President Bush signed an executive order into law which formed a tribunal. This tribunal is of his choosing. The purpose of this tribunal is to deem people "enemy combatants", thus making them subject to unwarranted searches and seizures under the new patriot act. What this means is that PRESIDENT BUSH CAN DO ANYTHING HE WANTS TO ANYBODY. He appoints the people who decide this. Once you are slapped with this label, they can do anything they want to you. You have no rights to a trial, no civil rights, and will be subject to torture, provided it is done in Cuba.
I understand the original purpose for the government needing these powers and authorities, but this sort of power was originally balanced between different bodies for a distinct reason; it is far too tempting for one person to not use these powers to corrupt ends.
This is how Rome switched from a republic to an Empire. In all the movies and books about revolutions, this is exactly how it starts. This is even how it happened in Star Wars. It is easy to spot when the story is condensed into 2 hours, but in real life we inch toward this daily, so many people do not seem to notice. But the fact remains, we are on our way to a society in which our rights to things like privacy are whittled away to nothing.

Article 3--The School of the Future

The third article I read was titled "The School of the Future". It painted a picture of "classrooms" which are free of discipline issues, distractions, boundaries, fixed deadlines, and--this is a little weird--the physical presence of students. The school of the future will be heavily dependent on technology to allow students to "log in" to school when they have time instead of at rigidly set times. I definitely see the benefit of this; technology-savvy students who are able to use cutting edge technology to showcase their understanding of complex ideas. However, the drawbacks seem enormous.
1. Monetary cost: Who will pay for this? I have trouble believing that the parents of most of my students will voluntarily cough up money for this, and it certainly isn't coming from the government anytime soon.
2. Socialization: Many students already spend a lot of time on the internet. In a way, it has robbed kids of the ability to approach, speak with, and connect on an emotional level to other people. Socialization is huge. Creating a virtual school would seriously cramp this.
3. Accountability: How do we know kids are doing their own work instead of just cutting and pasting their way to a degree? I have enough trouble with plagiarism now, I can only imagine some of the stuff I would receive if my students didn't do a lot of the work right under my nose.
4. Time: Why would kids need to attend these virtual schools when the mood suits them? What in the world are kids doing other than school? I understand some kids have jobs, but for a vast majority of them, school IS their job.

I really do understand the benefits of having an online community in addition to a real-live classroom. However, I can't fathom the logistical problems associated with this. Instead of the old standby "my dog ate my homework", we would be plagued with hearing "my internet went down" or "my dog ate my computer".
A little over a hundred years ago, the "technology" of having textbooks for students to take home with them and study was a big deal, largely because printed books were in relatively short supply. The increased availability of books through use of the printing press made books available to many kids. This also came at a great cost. It also took a while to train everyone how to learn from the textbook. Year after year, I lose textbooks from kids who don't bring them back. Sure, the classroom of the future will have it's drawbacks; the classroom of today certainly does, too. But I do think that schools will move toward a format which involves more technology, just not this extreme.

Article 2--The Changing Face of Classroom Technology

I think this article can best be summed up paraphrasing a quote from the article. A teacher talks about no longer holding a child's hand through their education, but because of technology they are now "holding the flashlight". This is a great summation of technology's role in facilitating learning rather than being the core of it. One educator spoke of using technology to cover the same old material in a new way. I think that's the best way to put it. Kids don't want to read through books and take notes from a blackboard. Students want to be stimulated and they want to be up and doing something. Technology allows students this opportunity. Students don't want to be led by the nose through lectures and told what to do. Kids want the opportunity to learn for themselves, but first teachers must package content in formats that pique a student's intrinsic motivation. Judging by the availability and use of iPods, DVDs, internet and cell phones, I would have to agree that the way to a student's mind is through technology.

Article 1--How Teachers View Technology

After reading this article, I gained a little insight about some of the things teachers expect from their technology. I especially noted the difference between teachers with less than 10 years expericence and those with more. Of course those teachers view technology differently--it had a different role in their upbringing. In another ten years, new teachers will be doing innovative stuff with computers that totally astounds me. I hope that by taking courses and staying up to date on technology, I can keep technology an important part of my teaching style. Technology is also important to use because even the most tech-savvy teacher doesn't know everything that their students do about emerging technology. Probably the key thing about technology is that it bridges that gap between generations which so often separates teacher and student.