"Mid"Term Paper

Write a three-page, size 12, double spaced, 1" margin paper on "How Technology Affects My Life".  Please use specific examples that demonstrate the topic. Be sure to discuss various aspects such as communication, ethical factors, advancements, etc.  Papers are due by the specified time.

Due by Midnight Friday, April 4th

Please upload the file to Moodle.

New and Improved?

It seems as though many trends in technology start out by causing people to shake their heads and say "that will never become popular!" And before we know it, we don't know how we lived without that certain technological advance - Facebook and Cell Phones are prime examples! :)  Here is another invention that might be heading right down that path.  When these glasses were first introduced there was a large crowd laughing that they would never become mainstream.  With the new improvements, they might just be the next big thing we start to wonder how we ever lived without!  What do you think? Find another example of  some"outrageous" technology that either became hugely popular or became a joke (Hello Snuggies!)

http://money.cnn.com/2014/03/25/technology/innovation/google-glass-luxottica/index.html

Unsolved Mystery (March 24 Class Post)

As I type this blog post on March 20th the largest  mystery in recent memory is still unsolved - what happened to Malaysia Airlines Flight 370?  There are endless theories swirling around the media to answer this question yet there still is no concrete answer.  Here is one article currently considered breaking news - remember this is as of March 20th.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/20/world/asia/missing-plane-q-and-a/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

How is this whole tragedy being effected positively and negatively by advances in technology?

What would be different if this mystery disappearance had occurred 50 years ago? 100 years ago?

Search and read a few more articles on this topic. What do you think happened to the aircraft?

Face to Disgrace

For many years Lance Armstrong was the face of cycling.  In recent years, and thanks to some advances in technology, he has become the disgrace of cycling to many people.  The article below outlines why this shift has occurred.  Share your thoughts on the topic.  Discuss how technology advances triggered this fall.  What are some of the social implications of this discovery?  What is another instance in sports where events such as this have changed someone's legacy?  Post a link to an article about that event as well.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/22/sport/lance-armstrong-controversy/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

Outside of the "technology" box...

When the word "technology" comes up we tend to instantly think of computers, hackers, or anything that starts with "i" however technology encompasses a much wider array of topics.  Today we are going to look at how technology effects transportation.

This was a big day in the transportation industry!!! Read the following article and share your thoughts!

http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/30/world/europe/turkey-marmaray-tunnel-first-day/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

The following article discusses one of the newest trends in air travel.  Do you think it will become a reality?  Share your thoughts!

http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2013/01/27/hypersonic-paceliner-aims-to-fly-passengers-in-2050/

Then, click on the link and take the quick quiz :) What do you think was the most worthwhile invention? Why?

http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/18/tech/innovation/transport-firsts-quiz/index.html

The Olympic Games - Much more than just an athletic competition!

The Olympic games are a world wide event that is full of fun and excitement from start to finish.  The planning that goes into these events is second to none.  The athletes and sporting events are typically the main focus of the games, as they should be, but there are many other factors that contribute to making the Olympics a success.  A major one of these factors is technology.  Please find at least two articles relating to technology used at the Olympic games in Sochi.  Be creative!  The write a brief summary of how this technology was used at the games, how it effected the events, and what could  be done to make things better in the future.

Superbowl....SuperAds?

This year's game was mediocre at the best so many people were counting on relying on classic superbowl style commercials to keep them entertained.  It is actually no secret that many viewers of the Superbowl are more excited for the commercials than the actual game!  Many go as far as to DVR the event and fast forward the game!  The first link below is a slideshow of many of this year's most buzzed about commercials.  Which was your favorite?  What appealed to you?  How did the marketing department use advancements in technology to enhance this ad or campaign?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1945685-super-bowl-commercials-2014-grading-best-and-most-memorable-ads/page/2

Here is one websites list of the best and the worst ads from 2014.  Do you agree with their selections?  Is one of you favorites missing from the "Best of" list?  How does the marketing done during this event effect the game?  How does it affect the consumers?  Is there anything that you suddenly want or crave during these commercials?  How has technology changed the marketing plan of these businesses?

http://www.superbowl-commercials.org/33442.html

http://www.superbowl-commercials.org/33428.html

Finally, here are some notable ads from 2013.  Before you even start watching them, what are a few ads that come to mind when you think of last year?  After watching this years ads, I'm not convinced that I will remember any of them this time next year.  What do you think?  Last years' ads were definitely better in my opinion, I'm excited to hear yours!

http://www.superbowl-commercials.org/23531.html

http://www.superbowl-commercials.org/23491.html