HOT TOPICS

You have the first 20 minutes of class to complete the following tasks.

Get in a group.  Chose one of the topics listed below or one you come up with on your own.  Post your group and topic choice to this blog.  Read 2 to 3 articles and give the class an update on current technology advances and how they have impacted society.  Do not read any article that is over 3 months old.  Post the links to the articles you reviewed and a short summary on your topic.

Hacking
Sales & stocks
Computer worms
Smart phones
Facebook
Social networking
Google
Technology unvieling
Twitter
Smart cars
Health care

Computer Hackers

It doesn't matter whether you are dealing with you personal Facebook account or the computer system of a nuclear power plant hackers are always trying to destroy what you created.  Read the following two articles about computer hackers.

http://theweek.com/article/index/207552/did-the-west-attack-irans-nukes-with-a-computer-worm

http://theweek.com/article/index/207552/did-the-west-attack-irans-nukes-with-a-computer-worm

 

Have you or anyone you know ever been the victim of a hacker?  What is the difference between a computer virus and a worm?  Why do you think people get so much enjoyment out of ruining other people's creations?  What are two ways you can protect yourself from hackers?

Advertising overload?

Everyday we as a society visit million of websites.  What we often don't notice though is all the advertisements we are viewing. Companies pay marketing agencies and websites billions of dollars a year to "get their name out there".  Complete the following two tasks focused on this topic.

1.  Go to a website you find interesting (post a link to this blog).  Look through the page and take note of the advertising.  How many ads are on the homepage? (post this in your response)  Had you ever noticed them before?  Do you use any of the products that are being promoted?

2.  Read the following article.  Would you pay for this service?  Do you think Twitter should charge for this tracking device?  Have you ever thought about how advertising is so integrated into everything we are exposed to on a daily basis?  What is another example of this "subtle" advertising?

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/social.media/11/18/cashmore.twitter.business/index.html

How to be a millionaire before you turn 25!

Review the following slide show.  Make sure you read about all 25 people! What are at least three trends you notice from one millionaire to another?  What business idea interests you the most?  Why?  If someone came up to you and offered you a million dollars to tell them your best entrepreneur idea what would your idea be?

http://www.kiplinger.com/tools/slideshows/slideshow_pop.html?nm=YoungMillionaires

 

Eyes on the road, hands on the wheel?

This is something your parents and driver ed teachers have been telling you for years but are you really taking their advice?  Read the following article about how car manufacturers are trying to keep up with the latest trends in technology.  Do you you think this is a good idea?  What are some of the pros and cons to their new ideas and integrated car technology?  What does your vehicle currently have factory installed and what other technology do you regularly use that is not "part" of your car?

 http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/09/21/smartphones-high-tech-cars-onstar/