You're Messed Up!

You're Messed Up!

You're addicted!  You're messed up!

Read the following articles (don't forget to read some of the comments after the articles). They all talk about the effects on teens from social networking, texting etc - all of this "new" technology.

What are the dangers?  We're not talking about why the internet itself is dangerous - not talking about predators.  We're talking about "quality of life" here - your time; how social networking makes you feel about the world, and how it conditions you to behave.  "Real life" vs. "online life".

Your first post should be about what the negative effects of your online life might be. How might things like social networking (Facebook, Twitter) affect you in a negative way? This is a difficult question because you probably don't think that these things really are affecting you negatively.  You can handle it, right?

THEN, after a day or two, in your response to a fellow student's post, argue in FAVOR of social networking - how does it 'enhance' your life - how does it make your life better?

This is a 'deep topic'.  One sentence answers are NOT going to cut it, so really think about your answers, and argue your point.

How Teens View Their Digital Lives

Teens Say They're Addicted to Social Media, Texting


Don't Blame Social Media if Your Teen Is Unsocial, It's Your Fault

The Data Brokers

The Data Brokers

After watching these 60 Minutes videos, discuss how you feel about the business of selling private information:

1. Should it be legal? People willingly put their information into questionnaires and online surveys, so marketers or "data brokers" are just using information that people have put out on the internet.

2. What, if anything, should be done about the practice? 

3. If you've filled out a survey or shared personal information with a company, did you have any idea that they'd be able to sell your information?

4. From the second video, what do you think about the steps the woman takes to protect her privacy?

Link: "The Data Brokers"


Link: "How To Defend Your Privacy Online"

The Cloud

The Cloud

You've probably heard it said that the world has gotten smaller.  This is true because, since the development of the Internet (the 'Cloud') and such things as Tweeting, texting, instant messaging, social networking (Facebook, Instagram), we've grown much closer.  The distance between us, geographically, doesn't matter near as much anymore.

In many ways, this is a good thing.  But, in some ways - not so much.  While the world has grown closer together, we're also closer to those people who would try to hurt us or take advantage of us.  Most people are good - but it's easier than ever for those that aren't to target people who aren't prepared, or aware of the dangers.

So, you've just met a student who has NEVER been on the internet.  Their family just moved to the area, and just signed up for internet access at home for the first time.  Knowing what you know right now, what would you warn that person about?  What would you tell them to be careful of, when they're on the Web?  How would you tell them to behave - what precautions should they take?

You don't have to look this up - base it on what you already know - what you've already learned.  You CAN research a little on the internet if you need to...

Welcome to THE BLOG!

Welcome to our Comp Lit Blog!!

Each week, this blog will present a topic that we'll discuss in the blog, and possibly in class. The blog may or may not relate to what we're working on in class, but will always have something to do with technology - future technology, tech-related current events, online safety, and responsible internet usage, jobs in technology.....

Blog Instructions:

You will post your first response to the current topic within a day of its posting. Then, after another day or so, respond to someone else's post. Last, respond to another person's post. (You can respond to the same person, especially if you're in the middle of a discussion/debate with them about the topic!)

PLEASE put some thought into your responses - I'm looking for a short paragraph, or a few sentences, not "Yeah, I agree" or "Dude! Awesome point!" Posts like that get a big fat ZERO points.

Each week's blog is worth a total of 30 points: 

1st response: 10 
respond to two classmates: 20 (10ea) 
Total = 30pts

These points add up - there are at least 10-12 posts throughout the semester, which add up to a decent percentage of your grade! (An EASY percentage.)

Late posts:

Posts are still due if we have a "weather" day (like a snow day) - so don't forget!  : )

If you post after the Friday due date, you can ONLY earn 20 points total. You must still post 3 times to get the 20 points, and there is no credit for a post later than a week after that blog post's due date.

Our first blog post will be Monday, September 10th.