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.

MITx Article

What is MITx?

1. Synopsis of the article - This article is about MIT's new online education program, MITx. The goal of MITx is to offer quality education to those who do not have access to it. MITx will also be used by MIT students as a supplement to the education they get in school. The program itself is free but a fee is needed to obtain a credential.
2. Identify the stakeholders (people who have a vested interest in the scenario) - The stakeholders in this scenario are people who do not have access to quality education, the college education system, and students at MIT. 
3. Identify AND describe the social and ethical issues related to the article - The social and ethical issues are equality of access and globalization and cultural diversity. This scenario is related to equality of access because many of the people who will use MITx do not have access to quality education. An issue with MITx is that a computer is needed to access it, so some people will not be able to use it. This scenario relates to globalization and cultural diversity because everybody can use MITx, not just the students admitted.
4. Identify the area of impact (look at the front board on the left) - The area of impact related to this situation is education and training. 
5. Describe the advantages/benefits in your example? One benefit of MITx is that many people can have access to quality education. It also serves as a reinforcement of what MIT students learn in class. 
6. Describe the disadvantages/costs in your example? A disadvantage of MITx is that people without computers cannot access it. Another disadvantage is that while the education is free, learners will have to pay a fee to obtain a credential.
7. What is your opinion of the issue? I think that MITx is a very good idea that can potentially help to educate many people. High school and college students can use it as a supplement to their education, much like they use Khan Academy currently. 
8. Would you take advantage of MITx? Do you think other people will take advantage of it? Explain. - I would take advantage of MITx. Although I find online courses difficult because there is no direct contact with a teacher, I believe that MITx could be a supplement to my education. I think that other people will take advantage of the program depending on the level of difficulty the classes offer. If the classes do not offer a beginner's level, many people will not have enough background knowledge to successfully pass the class. 

Podcast on the Vault150 Security Module

Podcast

Screencast

Screencast Assignment: Create a mixed CD

Technology Article

Inside Secure announces NFC chips to help distinguish knockoffs from the real thing

1. Synopsis of the article - This article is about the French company Inside Secure, who has created the Vault150 security module, a chip that can be placed in a product and be read by a smartphone. The company hopes that it will be used to halt the problem of counterfeiting by having companies place the chips in their products, such as bags, shoes, or a bottle wine, so buyers can be aware of authentic products. 

1. Identify the stakeholders (people who have a vested interest in the scenario) - The stakeholders in this situation are the companies who produce valuable products, the retailers who sell the products, and the buyers. 
2. Identify AND describe the social and ethical issues related to the article - The social and ethical issues related to this article are intellectual property and people and machines. Designers create valuable products and counterfeiters steal their designs and create look-alike products. The situation is related to people and machines because buyers can be aware of whether the product they are buying is authentic or counterfeit.
3. Identify the area of impact (look at the front board on the left) - The area of impact related to this situation is Arts, Home, and Leisure because people buy valuable products for their leisure and they often want to buy real products instead of counterfeit. This situation is also related to business because consumers want to buy authentic products which support the original designer or company. 
4. Describe the advantages/benefits in your example? The advantages of this product is that buyers can be aware of whether a product is authentic or counterfeit. Selling counterfeit goods is a major problem and this chip provides a solution to unknowingly buying a counterfeit good. 
5. Describe the disadvantages/costs in your example? - A disadvantage of this product is that street vendors who sell counterfeit goods may not get as much business because buyers will realize that their products are counterfeit. Also, there is no guarantee that the chip will be able to tell whether every product is authentic or counterfeit. 
6. What is your opinion of the issue? i.e. How does it affect you? How do you feel about that? - I am happy that this chip has been created because I believe that it helps the designer who originally created the product. The designer will earn more money from buyers purchasing their authentic goods. Also, it will end the confusion of determining whether a product is counterfeit or authentic when there is no way to tell. 
7. Present one or more solutions to the issue(s) at hand. - One solution to the issue of counterfeit goods is for the police to use this product in order to crack down on counterfeiting, which is a major problem in many countries.