Flat Classroom: Day 3 - Interview Plans, Work on Background

Today, we made plans for the video/ audio files that we need to shoot. We discussed the people that we would like to bring into class.

Tomorrow you must turn in:

• The names of AT LEAST two people that you will interview concerning your flattener from the USA perspective.
• At least four questions that you will ask each person. (You should also mark which one's concern education and which one's concern industry so that you can ensure that you will have sufficient footage to send your partner.)
• I would suggest asking each person several industry and several education questions. For example, "What does this mean for the education system. What should they be teaching students?"

By Friday, you should have completed your background section. Your partners will finish on Sunday. You will have to prepare and dropload footage on Monday -- you may look on the resources page of the wiki for instructions.

Tags: flatclassroomproject06

Flat Classroom: Day 2

Today, you are to do the following:

1) Check the discussion tab on your project page. You must post discussion with your partner daily about your thoughts about the project and your response.
2) Read your excerpt from the book and discuss it with Mrs. Davis today so we can talk about emerging trends in that area.
3) The background section should be started.

Upcoming Due Dates
(from the calendar section of the wiki)

Tu November 28 - Record an introduction to your international partner. (DONE!)

November 29 - Determine who will do which topic (ed vs. industry).

December 3 - Background information on your topic drafted on the wiki.

December 5 - Content provided to your partner.

December 11 - Final Wiki Created

December 12 - All multimedia posted to the wiki

Keep an eye on these dates!

Flat Classroom: Day 1

Great start to the flat classroom project. I am excited about your work thus far. Today, your assignment was to:

1. Complete your introduction and paste it to the wiki (Remember that you are not to include full names, some of you need to re-record and repost!)
2. Read about your flattener in your book, the World is Flat.
3. Add your assigned partner to your skype contacts.
4. Contact your assigned partner over e-mail.
   

I will be posting daily to this blog so that Mrs. Lindsey in Bangladesh will know what to expect from us. This links to our Westwood Wiki and I'll also link to our home page of the project as well.

Good luck! You'll make us proud. Also thought you'd like to see a copy of an e-mail sent to us by Thomas Friedman. He sent it to Julie Lindsey, my counterpart in Bangladesh, when she blogged about our project. He says:

Dear Julie,

I read your blog about the flat world classroom. I was delighted to see it! Tell me how it goes. Yes, this is really Tom Friedman. Allbest, Tom

Wow! I am convinced if each of you give your best, you will make a lifelong difference in yourself with this project as you learn about another culture and about the societal trends that are changing our world!

These dynamics have the potential to bring some of the greatest economic development impact that rural communities around the world have ever seen. It is vital that you understand them as you plan your future educational career and business career. As always, I'm here to be your guide!

Tags: ThomasFriedman, flatclassroomproject, flatclassroomproject06

Colossus

What is Colossus?
Colossus is the giant computer used to break the German Enigma code during World War II. Colossus was used in a top secret operation in Bletchley Park in England. The invention gave the Allies a major advantage over the Nazis.


Accomplishments of Colossus
Colossus used binary arithmetic, had 1,800 vacuum tubes, and could read input at 5,000 characters per second. Colossus deciphered the codes and gave inside enemy information to the Allies.


What is Enigma?
Enigma is a machine used by Germans to encipher and decipher codes. One way the enigma was broken is that no letter can be itself. The message is put into the machine and the enigma machine scrambles or unscrambles the message.

Comments from Montreal

A classroom in Montreal Canada has evaluated your wikis on Computer Safety and Privacy. You have been given very good feedback. (Look at the comment on "Great first week in computer science.)

Here, I'd like you to comment on how you think we can improve future wikis to be more helpful. Also, what do you think about the differing opinions? Do you think it reflects the different ways people learn or something else?

Tags: wiki

Great Week in Computer Science

We've had a great week in computer science. You've done wonders learning how to shoot, edit, and upload videos. We're ready to move ahead into the history of computing. I look forward to seeing what we learn and how we can educate others on the Internet with the videos, wikis, and blogs you produce.

Remember that the purpose for this blog is to blog our class notes. Each day, the "scribe" is to focus on getting good notes while the rest of us pariticpate and cooperate in the task at hand. We'll refine this process.

If you think anyone missed something on the notes, then make sure that you comment on their post and add the notes you feel are important.

August 16, 2006

Prevent your laptop/computer from being stolen:

• Lojack- for laptops, little piece of software that runs in the back of the web browser, scenario- some one steals the computer…lojack gets the IP #/address from the computer and sends it to the internet company
• Tag your name on your laptop (ie. On the battery- sauder your name or write it with a sharpie)
• Change your password
• 2 accounts on your computer your account or guest account

Avoiding Viruses:

• Malware/viruses- steals data or destroys files, can create traffic jams on your computer, you may not know it is there
• Install virus fighting software, make sure it runs at all times when the computer runs, check it every week to make sure it runs good
• Anti-virus software should scan files, emails, etc.
• Auto protect- runs in the back of the screen
• Viruses slow computer down, spam can also hurt you
• Today most viruses come in e-mails or websites
• Senders have found ways to use others’ email addresses to get the malware onto your computer
• Pirated videos have started to get viruses, so when you download the video you will get viruses on your computer

Prevent INtrusions:

• Whackers- wireless hackers
• Firewall software-software designed to analyze and control incoming and outgoing packets on a network, used to enhance security by filtering out potential intrusion attempts
  Hackers can get information from your computer if you stay on the internet for a long period of time
• To block hackers you should have an active firewall
• How to check your firewall: click the Start buttonà then click control panelà click network connectionsà click the connection you use for internet accessà under network tasks, click change settings for this connectionà click the advanced tab and look for a check mark in front of the box labeled protect my computer and network
• Ping of death- virus that gave computers’ viruses, it pings Microsoft continuously, when someone pings Microsoft more than about 50 times, Microsoft will shut down their computer
• “In computer terminology, a honeypot is a trap set to detect, deflect or in some manner counteract attempts at unauthorized use of information systems. Generally it consists of a computer, data or a network site that appears to be part of a network but which is actually isolated and protected, and which seems to contain information or a resource that would be of value to attackers. A honeypot that masquerades as an open proxy is known as a sugarcane.” (wikipedia)
  
  

Day 1: August 15

Using the Orientation Chapter we did the following:

• Review on the CD: how to navigate through pages

Insert the CD. The book on CD will pop up. Remember to create a tracking location if it is your first time. For your tracking device you should save to the memory key. Some things are on the website and others are on the CD depending on the icon to the left of the word in the book.

• Tracking device: save to memory key
  
  
• We took the pre-assessment test to see what we know in this chapter. The study guide was printed out for us to use for the test.
  
  
• We are teaching sections on 8/16: avoiding viruses, preventing intrusions, blocking spyware and pop-up ads, protecting e-commerce or transactions, avoiding e-mail scams, and protecting your privacy tomorrow.
  

Welcome to Computer Science

Welcome to Computer Science for teenagers. This is where Mrs. Vicki's tenth grade Introduction to Computer Science Class at Westwood Schools
makes their home. Each day a different scribe will post the class notes so that the class can participate in the discussions. Welcome!

Tags: Computer Science