MP1Assignments

__Class Assignments__


__**All of the following assignments must be posted on your Ning blog in order to receive credit.**__


 * Personal Narrative - Ning blog posting**. (5 points)
 * //You will write a narrative that addresses the following: Your name, your family, where you were born, places you have traveled, your likes (music, movies, foods, etc.), ways you use the Internet, and at least// //one interesting story about something that you did over the summer or last school year//


 * Quest 1: Web 2.0** (5 points)
 * This is the first of your OC Quests . . . **__What is Web 2.0?__**
 * Your task is to find uncover the answer to that critical question AND explain your searching protocol.
 * On your Ning blog:
 * define in a solid paragraph what Web 2.0 is all about. Offer some examples of sites that are considered Web 2.0.
 * Create a “breadcrumbs” search explanation that lists the sites you visited and what keywords you searched for on your Quest.


 * Global Events Response 1:** (5 points)
 * Select one article from among the options in Europe, Asia, Africa, or the Middle East to read and analyze. We used the RSS news feeds posted on the Global News page of the wiki to find the articles (http://onlineconnections.wikispaces.com/news)
 * Post a blog on your Ning that:
 * Identifies your article: title, publication, region, hyperlink
 * Summarizes the article: who, what, when, where, why
 * Offers the “so what”: how does the information presented in the article have some measure of connection to your life, your future, your past, etc.?


 * Learner's Toolbox Web Application Review 1:** (5 points)
 * Directions are posted on the Evaluation Protocol page of the wiki.


 * Global Events Response 2:** (5 points)
 * Select one article from among the options in Europe, Asia, Africa, or the Middle East to read and analyze. We used the RSS news feeds posted on the Global News page of the wiki to find the articles (http://onlineconnections.wikispaces.com/news)
 * Post a blog on your Ning that:
 * Identifies your article: title, publication, region, hyperlink
 * Summarizes the article: who, what, when, where, why
 * Offers the “so what”: how does the information presented in the article have some measure of connection to your life, your future, your past, etc.?


 * Future of Work Activity.** (3 points for the wiki discussion and 5 points for the Ning posting)
 * Visit the Future of Work wiki page for full instructions. You will post your responsed to part 1 on the wiki dicussion tab of the Future of Work page and **Part 2 on your Ning blog**.


 * Quest 2: Copyright** (5 points)
 * Your task is to find uncover the answer to the critical questions (listed below) AND explain your searching protocol.
 * In a single posting on your Ning blog:
 * Answer the following critical questions about copyright //(in your own words - do not copy/paste your answers)//
 * What is copyright?
 * Why should I care about copyright?
 * Which works are protected by copyright and which are not?
 * What is copyright infringement?
 * When do I need permission to copy?
 * How do I obtain copyright protection for my intellectual property?
 * How long does copyright protection last?
 * Create a “breadcrumbs” search explanation that lists the all sites you visited (including search engines and the keywords you searched) on your Quest.


 * Copyright Research and Multi-Media Quiz** (5 points - each question worth .33 points)
 * Directions are posted on the Copyright page of the wiki.

//You will post the following assignment on your Ning blog.//
 * Copyright and Fair Use Recommendation Guide** (10 points)
 * **__Task__:** You have been charged with the task of educating the teachers of Central Bucks about the appropriate use of copyrighted material in their class instruction and student assignments. You must write a 3-paragraph posting in which you:
 * define copyright restrictions and explain the exclusive rights guaranteed to copyright holders
 * explain the four factors that must be considered when determining if the use of a copyrighted work is protected by the fair use provisions of the federal Copyright Act
 * offer bulleted recommendations for teachers (which could be phrased as critical questions) that should be considered when teachers are debating the use of copyrighted material - these recommendations could include suggestions for using Creative Commons, explaining the difference between works that are copyrighted and those in the public domain, etc. (**//these suggestions should be based on the concerned contained in the required background reading//**)
 * **__Required Background Reading__:** You must gain an understanding of the ongoing controversy surrounding the fair use of copyrighted material in educational settings. Read the eSchool News article, [|Fair Use Confusion Threatens Media Literacy]. The article will explain the highly controversial and much debated issue of copyright and fair use in education today. **__You //must// reference the specific concerns voiced by educators in the article__**.
 * **__Background information__** - Don't forget that the Copyright Information page of our wiki contains a wealth of research and resources.

In these two Global Events Response activities, you will //not// be selecting your own current events. Rather, you are assigned two highly controversial current events - one that deals with Web 2.0 technologies and the other with an historical debate with very contemporary implications. The links below will take you to a new article with accompanying analysis questions.
 * [Targeted] Global Events Response 3 & 4** (5 points each)
 * //You will need to look up some outside information online to help you understand the articles.//**
 * GER 3: [|Follow this link to learn about cyberwar]. Post your answers to the questions on your Ning blog. You are highly encouraged to offer your own opinion about the topic at the end of your blog posting.
 * GER 4: [|Follow this link to learn about the ongoing debate over the definition of genocide]. Post your answers to the questions on your Ning blog. You are highly encouraged to offer your own opinion about the topic at the end of your blog posting.

TASK: After viewing the Internet Safety video in class and researching online safety and privacy issues, create a Code of Conduct for Online Activities aimed at elementary students who are just starting to use the Internet.
 * Online Safety - Code of Conduct** (5 points)
 * **Research Requirements** (At a minimum, your posting must include and reference information from the following sites. You may gather more information from the other sites included on the Online Safety wiki page.)
 * [|FTC - KidzPrivacy]
 * [|Get NetWise]
 * [|FBI Guide to Internet Safety]
 * [|NetSmartz]
 * **Content Requirements** of the Code of Conduct that you will post on your Ning blog are:
 * Detailed description of some of the common dangers existing on the Internet (i.e. personal identity, physical safety, bullying, etc.) - what should newcomers to the Internet be aware of and watch out for?
 * "Do and Don't" list of at least 7 items in each category that students should do and should not do in order to protect themselves and their personal identity online

According to the [|National Association of Colleges and Employers] (NACE) more than half of all employers use some kind of online screening technology including social networking sites like FaceBook and MySpace. It is essential that you know how your online footprint might impact your future.
 * The Power of Being Clickable** (5 points)
 * Directions:**
 * **Read the following articles.**
 * [|Students Love Social Networking Sites - And So Do Employers]
 * [|Social-Networking Sites Catch the Eye of Employers]
 * **On your Ning blog**, summarize the major points of the articles. Explain in a solid paragraph the impact of this information on //your future//. Then, offer a list of suggestions to people who are currently seeking jobs who also have accounts on social networking sites.


 * Cyberbullying - Netiquette and Respectful Use** (5 points)
 * After viewing the two cyberbullying videos and researching this epidemic on the Online Safety wiki page, create a posting on your Ning blog that addresses the following questions with specific details from the research. (The cyberbullying videos are located in the Online Safety folder of your V drive.)
 * Questions to answer in your Ning posting:
 * What is cyberbullying and how is it similar to and different from traditional bullying?
 * What are some examples of cyberbullying and how does it negatively impact __both__ the victim and the bully?
 * What steps can be taken to protect oneself against cyberbullying?
 * What can YOU do to demonstrate good digital citizenship (a.k.a. netiquette)? (i.e. What specific behaviors will you practice to be a model online citizen?)


 * Learner's Toolbox Web Application Review 2** (5 points)
 * Follow the instructions on the Evaluation Protocol page of the wiki for your second Learner's Toolbox Review. You __MUST__ select a web application from among those applications indicated with a * on the Learner's Toolbox wiki page. You may //not// select the same application you reviewed for the first Learner's Toolbox Review.


 * [Targeted] Global Events Response 5** (5 points)
 * [|Follow this link to learn about the ways that technology is making children and teens more trackable.] Complete Parts 1 and 2 on the same posting on your Ning blog.
 * Part 1 - Answer the questions that accompany the article. You may not find every answer in the article - you will likely need to research some of the information elsewhere online.
 * Part 2 - After answering the questions, write an imaginary 2-3 paragraph letter to your parents persuading them to either purchase or not purchase the Blade Runner GPS-enhanced clothing for you. In your letter, be sure to list specific reasons to support your opinion and be sure to address some of the parental concerns that the article highlighted.


 * The Economics of Education** (5 points)
 * Print out the following document. Follow the Part 1 Directions.
 * [[image:http://onlineconnections.wikispaces.com/i/mime/32/application/pdf.png width="32" height="32" link="http://onlineconnections.wikispaces.com/space/showimage/The+Economics+of+Education.pdf"]][| The Economics of Education.pdf]
 * Open the following data file and review the information. Follow the directions for Parts 2 and 3.
 * [[image:http://onlineconnections.wikispaces.com/i/mime/32/application/pdf.png width="32" height="32" link="http://onlineconnections.wikispaces.com/space/showimage/Mean+earning+by+level+of+schooling.pdf"]][| Mean earning by level of schooling.pdf]