People used to think it was amazing if you had a phone at your house...

And now its not unusual to find a 10 year old with their own cell phone.  Things we think are common parts of everyday life were once some sci-fi dream that people thought would never happen. Here is a few things that today we might think are bizzare but might be common place at your 20 year high school reunion.  Which do you think is most likely to become a reality? Why?  Choose three of the inventions and discuss how you think they will affect society.  What will they replace? How will the aid people? How will the hinder our current way of life?

 http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/innovation/03/25/science.fiction.kaku/index.html

Japan Nuclear Disaster

The news is currently jam packed with stories relating to the massive earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan in reccent days.  This is a tragedy on so many levels.  Read the following article on the effects of radiatin on humans.  Several nuclear power plants were damaged in this disaster and it is now leading to a nation-wide state of emergency.  After you have read the article search other news outlets (CNN, Global news, Yahoo, etc.) and find three more related articles on various problems Japan is facing.  Paste each link in a post and summarize each article under each link.  You will be asked to share your findings with the class.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/21/japan.radiation.food.risk/index.html?hpt=T2

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/

What are you searching?

As a society we are somewhat obsessed with searching the internet for information about any topic under the sun.  Personally as soon as I am questioning something I turn to Google or Yahoo for the answer.  Things such as song lyrics, mathematic conversions, weather, the relationship status of a celeb, etc.  The options are endless.  What are three things you regularly search on the internet? Read the following article.  How many of the Top 10 have you searched this year?  Which of the Top 10 interests you the most and why?  Which is the least likely for you to search?  How do you think our instant searching habbits are changing society?  Do you think the constant and virtually instant access to information allowed by technology is a good or bad thing? Why?

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/web/12/01/yahoo.most.searched.terms/index.html

More Facebook, more self-esteem?

Read the article.  Do you think what the researches found is generally true? Why or why not?  How many hours a week do you spend on Facebook or other similar networking sites? Do you feel that these hours benifit your self-esteem? Do you often feel better abou yourself after you've read something nice someone wrote on your wall or relived a fun moment in pictures? Share your thoughts.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/social.media/03/01/facebook.self.esteem/index.html?iref=NS1

Apps Apps Apps

It seems that applications are becoming a part of every thing in society.  We've all heard the phrase "There's an app for that" and it is becoming more and more true with every passing day.  Last night was the Oscars, read the following article about "aps" at the Oscars. Which of the apps would you be most likely to use? Also, do you have any applications installed on your phone, computer, etc. that you use regularly? Finally, state one app you would like to see created and explain briefly how it would potentially work.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/mobile/02/25/oscars.apps/index.html

Group Project

Choose a topic related to technology in society.  Create a 5 minute power point about that topic.  Include details such as prominent people, pros and cons to society, how it will affect the future, and anything else you think we would be interested to learn about your topic.  Be creative and professional with your presentation.  You may work in groups of 2 or 3.

Topic approval - 5 points (Post topic to blog today)
Information - 20 points
Presentation - 15 points
Use of class time - 10 points
Total - 50 points

Presentation date: Wednesday, February 16tth

*****Post your topic and group members to this blog today.