ITGS :: Blog :: Vision for learning at ISD: Ubiquitous, Mobile, Digital

Comments

1. International School Dhaka provides wireless networking for both the students and its staffs that are ubiquitous, mobile and digital. Ubiquitous it is, as it is wide area network which means that every student and staff are able to access the network from anywhere within the school campus. Both students and staffs own a mobile computer also known as a laptop which allows us to access the network anywhere within the campus. It allows us to both work and communicate digitally, its not necessary to work digitally consistently, therefore ISD also has output devices such a common printer which allows us to have both hardcopies and softcopies of documents.                   A Gift of Fire talks about the social, legal and ethical issues of computers and internet usage. The ISD technology initiative complies with most of the issues that are indicated in Chapter 1. The ubiquity section in chapter 1 gives us examples of daily life computers such as an ATM (Automated Teller Machine), a cell phone, and a CD player are few of the computerized machines that are mentioned. Similarly in ISD, both staffs and students that use desktop computers, and/or laptops are able to log on to the school network which allows us to communicate and work digitally. Although there are various cons of ISD using technology, there pros weigh up the issues as the outcome of using technology has rapidly gain interest in us, and at the same time help as it provides easy accessibility to most within the school.

   Omar on Wednesday, 06 September 2006, 07:36 CEST # |

2. OK Omar, some good outline points made. However, do not skim over the 'various cons'. What are these? What are the disadvantages of our initiative?

   Julie Lindsay on Saturday, 09 September 2006, 10:29 CEST # |

3. Ubiquitous-to seem or to be everywhere at the same time. Since the school provides us with wireless network, teacher, students and staff members are able to access the school network within the campus.Mobile-means moveable, traveling, portable. Mobile computers are called laptops which are portable and with the wireless network we are able to access the network to collect resources for different subjects.Digital-means to perform internal logical and arithmetic operations by means of digits, which are represented by binary numbers. Laptops help us to work digitally and communicate through the net via mail.Mobile computing is really handy especially when it comes to working on homework’s and downloading important resources from the net from which can be accessed to from home. Instead of saving work on USB’s and mailing them to ourselves it is better we save it in our school account. We all have our user Ids and passwords which allows us to access our access our school account from where we can get into the school network and obtain resources, notes and proposals and thus it saves the hassle of printing heaps of paper. Like suggested in the book, Gift of Fire by Sara Baase, we all use computer and that includes using an ipod, a cell-phone and other electronic devices. The advantages of computer appliances are they provide more improved accuracy, a better sound quality, timesaving, improved customer service and/or satisfaction. The best thing about new advanced technology is that it gives privileges to unemployed workers and reduces the percentage error and helps keep works secured and encrypted safely. Through the net we are aware of the different social behaviors and law that vary depending on the country it is being implemented in. Not only can we perform school related tasks but in leisure time, we can actually access the net to download songs, play games, browse for latest news on fashion, cars and sports. So having a portable computer as well as a normal PC can entertain us as well as provide us with the best advanced technology and the most important thing that ISD provides us which makes it more easier for us to work, get resources from the net and mail files is the wireless internet. We have a wider access to communication. It benefits a lot to education in the idea that it has advanced technology which provides work with literacy, spell check, speech recognition, language acquisition, speech synthesis and so on. It depends on the user and how he/she uses her mobile computer. If it is used for irrelevant purposes like instant messaging and games then it lessen her credit of actually learning something that may help her in future and for other subject areas

   Computers are our digital cops since they play a big role in fighting crime. They help to track down previous arrest records and fingerprint files faster than when it is done manually. It helps to gain access to a vast amount of databases and improves monitory, surveillance and censoring equipment. What I find most important is that it can enhance a picture of fingerprint if appeared vague and blurry. It is not like we have to have softcopies of all our works, which is why we have output devices like printers to present hardcopies. ISD provides the students with printers and paper thus we are able to hand in hardcopies of our work which is essential if we have network problems at home.

   However disadvantages of having a mobile computer is that students may access unauthorized sites and instant messaging which distracts them from their work. We must not be so dependant on the laptop because during exams we will be writing not typing so in order for practice we should start typing a little less and practice on our handwriting.

   Salma Sarwar on Saturday, 09 September 2006, 17:41 CEST # |

4. These terms can have a lot of different meanings. Although I think the term “ubiquitous” means for the technology of our school to be available everywhere as long as there is a computer present with wireless since the whole school is covered. Technology is accessible from anywhere within the premises of ISD. The term “mobile” states how the technology accessibility in the school is portable and can be used in many ways for example PDA’s can connect to the school network. The term digital means “available in electronic form; readable and manipulable by computers.”

   In A Gift of Fire Sara Baase attempts to cover the range of social, legal, and ethical issues raised by computing. She begins with an overview, looking at the ubiquity of computers, the rapid pace of change, and the recurrence of old problems in new contexts.

   Atif Sattar on Sunday, 10 September 2006, 04:36 CEST # |

5.           Key Words Digital - A digital system is one that uses discrete values rather than a continuous spectrum of values: compare analog. The word comes from the same source as the word digit: the Latin word for finger (counting on the fingers) as these are used for discrete counting. (wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital). It is usually refered as a method of storing information as a string of digits. ITGS - Information Technology Global Service. One-to-One computing - means putting a computer -- a PC, laptop, handheld, or tablet PC -- into the hands of every student and teacher. Ubiquitous - widely present.

   Well personally if I were to suggest weather this Technology Initiative at our school is helpful then I will definitely agree on that. At our school IT education implies a big role in the students’ lives even though we sometime complain the hassle of carrying a huge laptop to school. The whole system not only makes it easier to share information as a community but also as an active individual.

   If i were to think of my personal life and how computer and technology effects it everyday I'd say, my whole life is now under its control. I cannot even think of spending my time outside without my iPod or my MP3 player. I cannot leave my house without my car which bought a huge evolution in the past history. In short we can now say, yes our life has now bound itself with the technology available around us and without this our life is stagnent.

   Sara Baase, the author of A Gift of Fire states the social and ethical issues of a technology based environment. The ubiquity of computers and its evolution has been discussed in the first chapter that litterally changed human habitat's life style. If we think of ourselves now it is hard to think without computers which is why our generation is becoming so computer dominent.

   Shakila on Sunday, 10 September 2006, 08:44 CEST # |

6. Some very honest and revealing comments so far this week to the communal blog. I can see that you are all trying to define the terms and to speak from personal experience, even to the point of describing the physical discomfort of carrying a mobile computer. Tip to all: try to break up your paragraphs and also hyperlink to resources where you can.

   Julie Lindsay on Sunday, 10 September 2006, 17:31 CEST # |

7. Some very honest and revealing comments so far this week to the communal blog. I can see that you are all trying to define the terms and to speak from personal experience, even to the point of describing the physical discomfort of carrying a mobile computer. Tip to all: try to break up your paragraphs and also hyperlink to resources where you can.

   Julie Lindsay on Sunday, 10 September 2006, 18:03 CEST # |

8. The word ubiquitous can be defined as existing or being everywhere at the same time, constantly encountered, and widespread. When applying this concept to technology, the term ubiquitous implies that technology is everywhere and we use it all the time. Because of the pervasiveness of these technologies, we tend to use them without thinking about the tool. Instead, we focus on the task at hand, making the technology effectively invisible to the user. Ubiquitous technology is often wireless, mobile, and networked, making its users more connected to the world around them and the people in it.  

    

    

   Ubiquitous computing applies to teaching and learning such as in the following:

   • Ubiquitous computing environments can be defined as learning environments in which all students have access to a variety of digital devices and services, including computers connected to the Internet and mobile computing devices, whenever and wherever they need them. For example students and staff can access the internet to make a research for one of their assignements or the internet to email one of their work to their teacher (if a soft copy is required). Having access to the network in ISD also means that students can have access to the network in order to make a copy of the IB Biology syllabus or the CAS GuideBook for example, so that they can use it at home and thus do not need to print the files (saving paper and time).
     
   • Ubiquitous computing, then, is more focused on many-to-many than one-to-one or one-to-many, and includes the idea of technology being always available but not itself the focus of learning. For example, students might be asked to research the life of Shakespeare on the Internet with the help of their laptops. Being configured to the school's system thus allows them to enhance their knowledge, but the teacher and the subject are still the main focus of learning. But there are exceptions such as the IT course and the IB ITGS subject, which do focus on technology, where the idea of technology is the main focus of learning.
   • The definition of ubiquitous computing also includes the idea that both teachers and students are active participants in the learning process, who critically analyze information, create new knowledge in a variety of ways (both collaboratively and individually), communicate what they have learned , and choose which tools are appropriate for a particular task. For example a class are asked to research the volcanos of Hawai and to produce a PowerPoint presentation of what they have  learned from their research at the end of the period. Students gain knowledge from their research on the internet, using online resources.  They will will practice their IT skills by producing the PowerPoint presentation and will  present it in front of the class,  thus sharing their knowledge to the rest  of the students and the  teacher.

    

    

   Ubiquitous computing is changing our daily activities in a variety of ways. When it comes to using today's digital tools users tend to:

   • communicate in different ways
   • be more active
   • conceive and use geographical and temporal spaces differently
   • have more control

   In addition, ubiquitous computing is

   • global and local
   • social and personal
   • public and private
   • invisible and visible
   • an aspect of both knowledge creation and information dissemination

    

    Mobile computing is Using a computing device while in transit. Mobile computing implies wireless transmission, but wireless transmission does not imply mobile computing. Fixed wireless applications use satellites, radio systems and lasers to transmit between permanent objects such as buildings. In ISD, for example, students are able to access the school's network and internet anywhere in the school and thus they have the opportunity to use the network for their studies.

    

    

   Cannelle on Monday, 11 September 2006, 15:00 CEST # |

9. Our school is International School Dhaka that provides all of us ubiquitous, mobile and digital that includes staff and students. Ubiquitous means is a wide area network which means from any corner in the school students or staff will be able to access within the school premises. “Mobile” states the accessibility of technology in the school. This is a good source, which helps us to communicate digitally. We don’t have to work constantly because there are lots of output devices to help us.  A “Gift of Fire” is written by Saara Baase. Saara Basse attempts to cover the range of social, legal and ethical issues raised by computing. She begins with an overview, looking at the ubiquity of computers, the rapid pace of change, and the recurrence of old problems in new contexts. To counter the mostly negative coverage of “issues”, her introduction also offers a survey of the benefits of computing. Separate and large independent chapters cover privacy, encryption and interception, reliability and risks, freedom of speech, intellectual property, computer crime, work broader social issues and professional ethics. She didn’t act shy or timid from controversy, but she manages to provide a balance between different views. Key points are well brought out and explained, and the layout is clear and effective. This book covers the challenges and implications of computer, which elaborates on privacy, freedom of speech, computer failures, intellectual property, and hacking, critics of technology, censorship on the net, protection of intellectual property, encryption policy, computer crime, and the risks associated with unexpected computer failures. It also talks about the solutions to computer related problem from technology, the market management, education, and law. It is basically a comprehensive look at various issues, which are at the forefront of the information revolution. This book raised up various issues on philosophy and politics. She did a good and an equal balance of each topic and controversies with different points of view. Its perspectives are comparing risks and problems of computer technology with other technologies, non-computerized alternatives, and benefits of computers.  

   Now I am going to elaborately describe the book. This book focus or intended for two audience, one is students preparing for careers in computer science and students in other fields who are interested in issues that arise from computer technology. It offers you different courses on social and ethical issues such as “Ethical Issues in Computing” or “Computers and Society, etc. The bulky subtitle of this book gives a hint of my preference. I believe it is useful and important for us to learn about the social, legal, philosophical, political, constitutional, and economic issues, and the historical background of those issues. The basic ethical principles in computing are not different from ethical principles in other professions or other aspects of life honesty, responsibility and fairness.  

   Sanjida Rahman on Wednesday, 20 September 2006, 10:53 CEST # |