Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Reading in Cyberspace


Books can be more accessible as Google Book Search has been added to the tools of Google. The relationship between this tool on google with the publishers is it wouldn't be the very best. Google would be getting more credit and and the publishers might not earn that much any more because of this. In the future, Yahoo and Microsoft will respond to this new feature by adding their own type of book search to their site. Both companies don't want to lose their viewers so they must try and keep up with the new features added to each search engine website. With this new feature, finding books couldn't be easier. All the information we need on the book we are searching for will all be on Google Book Search. I think that this feature is a really good idea as we can access the information and content of the book all through online. We don't really need to go to the library anymore as where we can just search it up on Google Book Search and there we will have all the information that is needed.

Are Wii the Children of the Revolution?


The Wii is a great game console because it is more interactive than any other video game system. You are using movements using the motion sensing remote control unlike just pressing buttons, you are becoming part of the game as you are controlling the remote with your hands. This adds a whole new level in gaming and how we play games just became more realistic. The games on the Wii are really fun using the remote for specific things and various movements such as moving it left to right, flicking, and spinning are just some of the movements. The controller is also wireless making it more easier to play the games of the Wii without tripping over any wires. This system is inexpensive and is affordable to all buyers interested in buying this amazing console. The Wii brings out the kid in everyone as even adults that hardly like video games are seen on commercials jumping and enjoying the time of their life playing the Wii. Some say that the Wii begins to become boring after a couple months of purchasing it. Personally, I don't think the Wii is a real revolution because there are still some downsides to the game play and the whole interaction to the system.

Cyber Bullying

I was very shocked to hear about the many different situations involved with cyber bullying involving many students. I was shocked to hear about the rate-your-teacher website, where students can rate and comment positive and negative things about their teachers. Little did the students know that they didn't think they would ever be caught, and it was just all a big joke to them. They'd never expect to be caught and when they denied it, they were told that their pictures and names were posted beside the comments. Even disturbing pictures can wind up being on the web, virtually where everyone can see and comment on. Be careful what you say and post ont he web, because you never know where it may just end up.

Cyber bullying is the term used for "online bullying" and harrassment through e-mail, instant messaging, websites, mobile phones, etc. Cyber bullying happens everyday throughout every part of the world, and is affecting someone right now. Some forms of cyber bullying include harrassment, threats, sexual comments, etc. People often feel ridiculed and humiliated knowing they are being bullied and are doing nothing about it. If they tell someone, they will only be made fun of even more, calling them names such as a "snitch." People turn to cyber bullying because they are hiding their identity through a computer and believe that it is difficult and almost impossible to discover who they are.

An appropriate punishment for cyber bullying for students would definitely be suspension, expulsion, charged, or even serving a sentence in jail, depending on how severe the bullying was. They should also be entitled to community service, and a personal apology letter to them. The school should also announce it to the rest of the school to show that cyber bullying does happen in their school, and if these students have gotten caught with it, so will the rest who are involved with cyber bullying. Students will feel afraid and and believe that they might get caught for bullying, so they will stop. After this punishment, the students will feel that they had had enough and will learn from this lesson to stop cyber bullying. They can even act as role models to other kids/students that this situation once happened to them, and they had to pay for it. This will motivate and inspire the students to stop cyber bullying, because they could be the next victim.

When War Meets Video Games

War video games are becoming more popular due to the pleasure of accomplishing a war or a fight. It is filled with action-packed, non-stop violence, where you can earn points, weapons, advance to the next level, and WIN the game. Everyone's latest craze are the newest video games where it's full of violence and gore, and although it is sick and twisted, people enjoy it.

I believe that the more realistic the game is, the more interesting and attractive it becomes. When the game looks realistic, people actually experience the feeling of being involved in the war/fight and love it. For some who are not as into violent video games, they are against it, because it's promoting violence, especially to young kids. Kids are being exposed to violence at such a young age, that it affects them when they're older. they believe that the answer to all their problems is through violence. they think that the answer to winning is through violence. That's why parents and video game industries should select the proper and appropriate game-base play for people of all ages, according to their level of maturity.

Personally, i believe that war video games are influential, and it affects us all. When children play these war games, they believe that violence is an okay thing to do and believe in. the industry is sending out the wrong messeges to these kids and it should be re-analyzed. parents should also be aware of what kinds of games they are buying for their children, or what the children are buying. Video games can ve very addictive and can serve as a big impact in people's lives. that's why we shouldn't be sucked into the illusion of video games, and face reality because the war is much more bigger in reality than in video games.

iPOD Classrooms


Downloading lectures via ipod is an interesting method, and i'm sure this will revolutionize and become very successful in the future. Everyone is getting ipod's nowadays, or already have a few. People are becoming more and more involved with keeping up with technology, and the ipod has become very successful of attracting consumers, especially students. It's a good idea for students to be lectured by their professors via ipod while on the go because they are constantly traveling, especially when bussing to get to school. The ipod has its many advantages and disadvantages. You can't always rely on technology. Sometimes it may crash, and you can lose all your files. What if your ipod gets stolen? Not only do you lose your lectures you were listening/watching to, you lose the ipod and the couple hundreds of dollars spent on it as well.

It seems like an interesting and tempting idea for Mary Ward students to apply lectures via ipod. Everywhere you go, in classrooms and in the halls, students are listening to their ipods. It's a good idea to get lectures and seminars, especially if you missed a seminar needed for a unit. But, not everyone has a video ipod. And not everyone can afford an ipod itself. But those who do have one and can afford one, take advantage of it because it saves time rather than waiting for the next scheduled seminar.