Copyright and Fair Use

 

Almost any sort of media whether it be pictures, music, books, movies, video games ect. can be shared easily and almost instantaneously via the internet.  This has caused huge debates among people regarding copyrights and piracy.  All of these types of media can be legally purchased through e-stores such as iTunes and the Android store among others.  However these files are also illegally shared and download for free through various file sharing websites.  Our courts and legal system have successfuly  shut down prominant file sharing sites such as Napster and Limewire.  However when one sites gets shut down it appears that two or three other new websites quickly line up to take its place.  I guess the question to ask is can internet security and technology come up with some measures to prevent this sort of piracy and theft.  Because the great majority of musicians, authors and artists depend on the sales of their work to pay their bills and make a living wage.  If this sort of digital theft continues on a widespread scale then it could possibly decrease the quality and quantity of art and original work that is digitally created.

OER and Open Courseware

I have looked at many different math learning and tutoring websites and none have impressed me like Khan Academy.  This site was started in 2006 by Salman Khan who was tutoring his niece in mathematics remotely.  What started off as a math tutoring website now offers over 3000 video tutorials in mathematics, science, economics, computer science, humanities and test prep.  I use the video tutorials for my student who were absent from class and missed my lecture.  I also assign video tutorials and additional practice problems to students who may need additional help.  I am also able to assign students assessments and view their results online.  If you have not tried Khan Academy you should definitely check it out, it is a terrific supplemental teaching aid.

Dangers of Social Media

I just recently spoke with my sister and she told me a story about her friend who recently took a two week vacation to Peru.  She was sharing photos, thoughts and experiences of her vacation via Facebook.  However it wasn't only her friends that knew that she was out of town, but somehow a burglar was also able to obtain this information by looking at her Facebook account.  Two weeks out of the country was the perfect opportunity for a burglar to strike while no one was home.  Let this be a warning to everyone out there,  be careful about what information you share and post via social media.  There may be some unsavory characters out there who will use this information to harm or take advantage of you.

MOOC on Databases

When looking for possible Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) I spotted this class on Stanford University's website.  My undergraduate degree is in Engineering so I have some experience and interest in computer programming.  This course in particular, Introduction to Databases focuses on how databases and database systems are used in programming and online computer applications.  When took a course similar to this one many years ago I really felt like the face to face interaction and class time with the professor helped to aid in my learning and understanding of the topics.  Now I am curious to see how effective this class can be as a MOOC.  I am wondering if it will be much more difficult to learn the content in a strictly remote, digital, and online manner.

Daily Create Contributions 3

The third Daily Create that I chose to answer was

Submit a favorite monologue from a movie with every third word removed.

The movie that I chose this monologue from is titled Rounders, starring Matt Damon, John Malkovic and Edward Norton.  It is as movie about a law school student (Matt Damon) who makes his living on the side playing poker.  Because I have a mathematics background I can see the probability, variance and the strategy that is involved in the game.  Here is the opening monologue from the movie Rounders.  This exercise of removing just every third word makes understanding things very difficult.

Rounders – Matt Damon Opening Monologue

Written by Sam Woo on January 23, 2013 5:53 pm

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Listen, here’s ______ thing, if _______ can’t spot _____ sucker in _____ first half _____ at the _____, then you _____ the sucker. ______ around here _____ tell you, _____ play for _____ living, it’s _____ any other _____. You don’t _____, you grind _____ out. Your _____ is to _____ one big _____ an hour, _____ it. Get _____ money in _____ you have _____ best of _____. Protect it _____ you don’t. _____ give anything _____. That’s how _____ paid my _____ through half _____ law school. _____ true grinder. _____ see I _____ how to _____ a little _____ a time. _____ finally I’ve _____ this: if _____ too careful _____ whole life _____ become a _____ grind.

Daily Create Contributions 2

My second daily create contribution ask the question,

Take a photo of the ONE thing you MUST see, do, eat, hear, etc. everyday!

This question was actually very easy for me to answer.  The only person missing from this picture is my  wife Rebecca.  However my daughter Amanda (17 months) and my son Caleb (2 months) along with my wife are the things that I need to see everyday in order to be happy.  This photo my kids was taken with Santa Claus this past Christmas.  During this picture my son was sleeping and my daughter was terrified.  

Daily Create Contributions 1

The first Daily Create activity that I chose to participate in was entitled "Tell us a pun that will cause the biggest groan." I really enjoyed this assignment because all of my family and friends will tell you that I am a person who gets a kick out of telling and hearing jokes. This joke may be construed as mildly offensive however as an Asian-American I was not offended by it. Hopefully it will give you a laugh.