Wednesday Current Event Look Up, 10/31/12

1. Topic: Windows Phone 8 unveils more features available on this relatively new piece of technology.

2. Article Title: Windows Phone 8 Debuts


3. Article Source: Technology Review


4. Summary: The Windows Phone 8 is unveiled, and many applications are debuted along with this piece of technology. Microsoft has installed Kids Corner (a kid-friendly, safe application), Rooms (exclusive social networking application), and Skype (video connection service) on it's new phone. This phone is also up-to-date and stylish. This piece of technology has a phenomenal impact on the digital world.


5. Reaction: The Windows Phone 8 is a fantastic smartphone, and I applaud the geniuses at Microsoft for producing this spectacular piece of technology. If I had the opportunity to trade in my iPhone 4s for the Windows Phone 8, I would in a heartbeat. I like the family-friendly software that Microsoft has installed on the phone. If I had this phone, I would feel more comfortable about allowing my younger family members using my phone for Internet purposes (using Kids Corner, of course). Windows Phone 8 is something I aspire to have, and it will definitely be going on my wish list.

6. World Impact: Because I know a lot of people who despise Apple products and love Microsoft creations, the Windows Phone 8 would be the perfect phone for those Microsoft users. This phone would also affect the way children use smartphones. Using Kids Corner, children can browse the Internet safely and responsibly. Also, people can use the app called Rooms to access more exclusive social networking sites. This phone is very beneficial to the world. Everyone should at least have the opportunity to learn about and handle the Windows Phone 8.

Weekly Review #8, Who are you Online?

This week at Gaston Early College High School has been anything but ordinary. With us transitioning into our school building next week, school has been very chaotic.

It has been stressful at school due to all of the preparations that my peers and teachers have been making in order to move into our school as easily as possible.

Earlier this week, we viewed the movie 'Cyberbully' in order to fully understand the causes and effects of cyberbullying to many people all around the world. The movie depicted a very heart-breaking story. Many of my classmates were emotionally moved by the phenomenal story in that movie.

Anonymous person, September 18, 2009

On Wednesday, we discussed how we present ourselves online. Our teacher provided us with key terms and definitions to help us comprehend the class lesson better.

Woman avatar, December 14, 2011

Represent: how you present yourself to others

Persona: image or personality that you portray to others

Avatar: image or graphic that represents you

Anonymous: hidden identity

Inhibited: careful or restrained about your actions or impulses

These definitions relate to staying honest and real online. It's important to stay real online because the things you do online affects you in many other areas in your life.

In class, we discussed tips on how to stay real online easily and efficiently. To broadcast my ideas about staying honest, I created a Glog using a website called Glogster.

Glogster allows me to build digital posters easily and creatively. I really like this flawless website, and I will definitely be using it for other projects throughout my educational career. If you are interested in learning more about Glogster, then a short, easy-to-follow tutorial will help you get started.

Also, pasted below is the glog that I created this week.



This week has been spectacular, and I hope that next week will be just as great. Until next week, happy blogging!

Wednesday Current Event Look-Up 10/22/12

1. Topic: Syria might shut down the digital world.

2. Article Title: Fears grow that Syria may shut down Internet

3. Article Source: CNN.com 

4. Summary: In September 2012, residents in Syria received a text message that said "game over" written in Arabic. The Middle East has had many issues with the digital world, and it looks like there is about to be another one. Psychological warfare experts have agreed that the Internet issues may be a result of the fighting in/around Syria. 

5. Reaction: I do not agree with the Syrian government controlling the Internet. Using the Internet should be a right to everyone, no matter what the circumstance. This event affects me because the U.S. could realize that Syria is controlling their Internet source, and the U.S. could take into consideration of doing the same thing to their citizens, which is not okay. War should not effect the digital world. Syria should not be dictating it's citizen's use of the Internet or other technologies.
 

6. World Impact: This event affects the world by potentially starting a worldwide conflict. Other countries might agree with Syria, while other countries might speak out against Syria's actions. If the topic of Internet activity is brought to the public eye, then citizens everywhere will probably feel controlled by their government. The banning of the Internet in Syria will leave Syria's citizens unconnected to the outside world. A Syrian who has friends or family who live in another country will no longer be able to use the Internet to connect with their loved ones who are far away. The fact that the Syrian government is banning the Internet is very inhumane.

Cyberbullying Review Post, 10/7/12- 10/19/12

With week eight and nine coming to end, I am still very proud and honored to be a Gaston Early College High School student. These past two weeks have went by very fast, and they were two of the best weeks that I have had this school year.

To start of week eight as usual, I edited and corrected my partner's blog post before it was graded by my teacher. Editing my partner's blog post helps my partner to become a better student and a benevolent blogger.

We also reviewed our grammar lesson on Monday, just to prepare for our upcoming grammar test that we will be taking in the very near future. 

On Tuesday, we reviewed our weekly stems words and our grammar homework.

Also on Tuesday, we discussed the harmful effects and results of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is just like regular bullying, except for the fact that it is completely in the digital world. 

Although cyberbullying is described as being hosted exclusively electronically, it often leads to trouble physically, emotionally, and verbally. 

Bandage: cyberbullying hurts. March 31, 2007

Our teacher gave us multiple key terms and definitions to help us understand cyberbullying better. 

Target: The victim

Stop cyberbullying. March 30, 2007

Offender: The bully; someone with malicious intent that wants to cause harm

Bystander: Witness who does nothing; someone who stands by and refuses to help

Upstander: Witness who does something about the cyberbullying

Escalate: Intensify; increase the situation

De-escalate: Decrease the situation (make less intense)

Cyberbullying is a growing trend in this generation, and it needs to stop before further damage is done. Many citizens don't know how to confront the situation, and feel trapped. Often times, these victims turn to controlled substances, self- harm, and even suicide. 

A way that helped me understand cyberbullying better is by making a short movie, using a website called WeVideo.

I used music, pictures, and templates to create my heart-touching film. Although WeVideo is an excellent movie maker, it took me hours to figure out how to actually construct my movie. Making my movie was a very tedious task, but in the end, I managed to make a very inspirational movie about the dangers and effects of cyber bullying.

If you're interested in making your own movie using WeVideo, a quick tutorial will help you get started. 

Also, here is the video that I made about cyberbullying (below).

Overall, these past two weeks have been great. Hopefully we will move into our new school building at the end of October. I aspire for next week to be as great as this week, and as usual, happy blogging!

Weekly Current Event Article, 10/10/12

1. Topic: Google has created a new kind of car that can operate without a driver.

2. Article Title: Self-driving cars now legal in California

3. Article Source: CNN.com

4. Summary: Google has created a car that doesn't require a driver to operate. It uses radars, cameras, and artificial intelligence technologies to drive around safely. This car has a mind of it's own that keeps it's passengers safe while driving around, thus lowering the risk of accidents. This car is ideal for people who are blind, deaf, etc.

5. Reaction: I look forward to the day that this product is approved for manufacturing and public use. I applaud the geniuses at Google who have invented this product, and I encourage them to keep working on this car. I know for sure that everyone will enjoy this product because it is efficient and helpful, especially to those in need. This affects me because I have disabled people in my family who can't drive. If they had this car, they would finally be able to drive me places safely and easily. This car would bring great joy to me and my family.

6. World Impact: This event affects the world in many ways. For instance, it can help people with disabilities. If someone couldn't drive because of a health risk, the Google car can be very beneficial to them. Also, it can help people who are trying to multi-task while driving. Picture this: you're late for work, you have coffee in one hand, your phone in the other hand (trying to text your boss to tell them that you will be at work momentarily), and top of that, you're trying to drive. You might say this is dangerous for regular driving, but with a helpful Google car, all you have to worry about is getting to work as soon as possible, and drinking your delicious cup-o'-joe. The Google car will definitely make many people's lives easier and more efficient.

Weekly Review Blog Post, 10/5/12

With week seven coming to an end, I'm still proud to be a Gaston Early College High School student. This week has been fun, yet suspenseful, as we wait for our school building to be finished with construction. Hopefully, we can move into our educational humble-of-ode within the next couple of weeks.

iPhone, May 11, 2008

To start the week off with a bit of a change, I was introduced to a new peer blog editing system. Instead of commenting directly on my partner's blog post, I created a word document that told them what they needed to fix before their blog post was taken as a grade by our teacher. I think this new editing system benefits everyone's grades, writing skills, and contentment.

The lesson that our teacher taught us on Tuesday is a lesson that everyone with access to the digital world needs to know about. Our lesson was focused on "sexting". Our teacher talked to us about the dangers and consequences of "sexting", and to help us understand better, she gave us vocabulary terms and definitions.


Self-disclosure: sharing private, sensitive, or confidential information about yourself to others
Reciprocate: to give in return
Sexting: sending or receiving sexually explicit photos or videos by text or other devices


We also learned about the health risks of using technology improperly on our Digital Driver's License classwork. We learned that posture, eye-sight, and reputation can potentially be ruined if you don't use technology in a safe way.

Pink phone, May 12, 2008

 The consequences of sexting can be very detrimental to a person's reputation. If a nude picture is exposed to the public of someone, the person in the photograph can feel embarrassed, ashamed, and betrayed.

Often times, people commit suicide because of the bullying and harassment that they experience, all because of one bad decision to send a sexually explicit picture. Sexting is a terrible idea, and it can get you in serious trouble.

The best day this week was definitely Wednesday, because we got to use a website called Make Beliefs Comix for the first time. The purpose of  my comic is to broadcast the dangers of sexting and the benefits of building online relationships. I made two comics, each representing different scenarios. This flawless website is easy-to-use, colorful, and definitely comprehensible. If you're interested in making your own whimsical comic for free, visit Make Beliefs Comix!

                                                         Tutorial to Make Beliefs Comix

I think I speak for the whole class when I say that Thursday was a very challenging day. Almost everyone could've done better on the grammar test that we completed. It was very difficult because we couldn't use the helpful notes that we took in class on our test. Although there were many poor grades in the class, I'm glad that a multitude of students vowed to study harder and longer for the next grammar test.

Overall, this week has been fun and challenging. Everyday, I remind myself of how blessed and grateful I am for being at this amazing school. Hopefully, next week can be just as great as this week. Happy blogging!