Article: The (Rapid) Decline of the Media Industry

The (Rapid) Decline of the Media Industry

1. Summarize in 2-3 sentences
This article is about how the newspaper industry has experienced a decline in recent years. Many people have switched from reading physical newspapers to news websites. 

2. Explain why you think there is a decline?
I think there is a decline in the media industry because it is easier for people to check their phone for a quick update than to open a newspaper. Also, people are less interested in long articles than short articles, which is what they get through most internet news sites. 

3. What are the advantages / benefits of this scenario?
An advantage of this is that the common person can now write an article and be heard. In traditional newspapers, the articles were only written by professional journalists, and an effect of that was that there was not a lot of diversity in opinion. Another advantage is that it is free for the journalist to write. They do not have to pay for their newspapers to be printed. 

4. What are the disadvantages / costs of this scenario?
A disadvantage of this situation is the validity of some internet news articles. With traditional newspapers, there was a degree of trust that the journalist checked their sources and was telling the truth. In web articles, that trust is not as strong because the writer is practically anonymous. Another disadvantage is that many traditional newspapers are running out of business. 

5. Discuss the scenario in a social context
This scenario relates equality of access because anybody can write articles and have their voice heard on web news sites. Another social and ethical issue is integrity. Readers have to trust that the journalist is telling the truth in their articles and has not made up an issue. 

6. Is there a need for a solution? or is this the natural course of society? Explain.

I do not think there is a need for solution. Although this situation has many disadvantages, such as traditional newspapers are running out of business, the benefits outweigh the costs. With newspapers on the internet, anybody can be a journalist. This increases the diversity of opinions in newspapers. 

Article: White House Outlines Online Privacy Guidelines

1. Synopsis - summarize the article in 3-4 sentences
This article is about how the White House has created a new outline for protecting users' privacy online. Online privacy is a major issue because currently many companies do not follow their stated privacy programs. It is reported that 90 percent of online behavioral advertisement companies have agreed to comply when users choose to control online tracking. 


2. What is the benefit to online companies collecting user data?
The benefit is that online companies know which users to target with certain advertisements. For example, if they know that a user is a 7-year-old girl who loves pets, they would show advertisements for stuffed animals. When companies know about their users' data, they are able to better target them. 

3. Discuss whether or not you believe these guidelines are necessary.
I think that these guidelines are necessary because users do not give their consent before companies take their personal information. I believe that this needs to be fixed so users give their consent before the information is recorded. Although this may be detrimental for advertising companies because they do not know valuable information about users, it protects the privacy of the user. 

4. Describe what you think may be the best solution for all parties.
I think the best solution for this situation is to create a government controlled list of users who do not want their information recorded. This list would be like the national do not call list where people can report their phone numbers so they don't get called by telemarketers. 

Technology in Education and Training

Distance Learning (Voice Over IP)

1. Distance learning uses voice over IP to let teachers and students communicate over video conferencing. The teacher and students log into an internet video conferencing program and the teacher teaches a lesson in front of a video camera. Her video is played real-time on a screen in front of the students. There are also video cameras in each classroom so the teacher is able to see the students. Using voice over IP technology, the videos play real-time over the internet so the teacher and students are able to communicate.

2. Advantages - (1) school systems are able to save money because they only have to hire one teacher to teach at multiple schools; (2) schools can offer courses to a small group of students; and (3) students can learn from teachers or experts from anywhere in the world because there are no constraints on location.

3. Disadvantages - (1) participants may feel that the classes are impersonal; (2) the classes may be boring because there is very little interaction; and (3) the videos may lag due to slow internet connections.

4. Social and Ethical Issues - (1) globalization - Distance learning allows students from any place in the world to connect with each other to learn; (2) people and machines - Users may find the lack of personal connection a hindrance to learning. A solution is that teachers could meet face-to-face for one class a month and have the rest of the classes over video so there is some personal connection; and (3) reliability - If the internet is down for either the students or the teacher, the class is not able to meet. A solution for this is to be aware of this fact and have the teacher make room in their lesson schedule for any days without connection.