Andrew A's 7th Period: February 2012

Synopsis: The President has released new privacy guidelines for companies that would let users have better control over their information on the internet. While this does not give us total control over the data gathered, it is a step closer to letting users control what is and is not available about them on the web. The problem faced is that the large corporations will inevitably try to block this from coming to pass, as a lot of their money comes from data mining. However, the FTC already aggressively pursues companies that violate privacy terms.
Pros and Cons:

Pros: by collecting information about the user, companies can tailor online content to the needs and requests of the user, streamlining searches and reducing extraneous results while guiding the consumer to products they want.
Cons: In order to do the above, corporations have to gather a lot of personal information that the user might not want widely known. Some companies sell this data to others, resulting in Email spam, annoying targeted advertisements, and easy access to personal information by anyone anywhere.

Yes, extremely so. Right now, companies can steal your private and personal information from anywhere on the Internet and sell it to other companies. I personally have been spammed by drug companies in Canada because data from a search I did for school led them to believe I needed their products. It isn't a matter of personal responsibility; you do not have to willingly or even accidentally give them access, they just have it by tracking everything you do at all times. There is a point at which the government has to step in and tell them to stop, because it is getting worse and they won't on their own.

Honestly, I think data mining needs to stop. At the very least, you should be able to say "I don't want what I do to be tracked" and have the companies honor that. If you don't mind giving up your personal information in exchange for an admittedly more efficient and custom-designed online experience, that is your right, but those who do not should have that choice, and right now they do not. Most people would probably accept that compromise anyway, so the corporations do not lose all that much.

A teacher can use video conferencing for distance learning. In this system, the teacher can teach without actually being in the room. Instead, they use a video conferencing system to talk through the screen or a projector, giving the same content from far away. Taken to another level, the class can be taught entirely over this type of system, with the students at home using their computers and contributing to the discussion. Examples of these systems are distance learning and online university courses.

Costs less b/c teacher does not actually have to be there
Cheaper for teacher b/c they do not have to move to the location where they are teaching
Access to specialists from other places around the globe
Students do not have to be in central location to learn; can be at home or in other parts of country and still participate
May be cheaper for students
Students in regions with bad schools can still get a good education

Privacy: Some people might not want to use a video camera in their home connected to people in other places
People and Machines: Some people either would not understand the technology or have a dislike of the system for one reason or another
Globalization: Lessons can be accessed by anyone, anywhere
Equality of Access: Anyone with a computer and internet can use this, but that cuts both ways. Some people do not have those resources.

Andrew A's 7th Period