Technology's Promise: A Virtual Trip through Time

William E. Halal on chapter ten of his book “Technology’s Promise” is trying to forecast technology through time. Halal in his virtual trip through time presents four scenarios:

Scenario One	2010	The world online	world became smarter and faster but still fully wired
Scenario Two	2020	High-Tech world	alternative energy, green business, and ecological practices will be existed
Scenario Three	2030	Crisis of Maturity	The most developed industrialization world. Technological powers will be vast, environmental collapse, and intercultural conflict
Scenario Four	2040-2050	Global order	The challenges facing civilization are likely to be resolved to form a modernized, fairly harmonious globe

Technology is changing all aspects of human beings’ lives. Education has been convenient by improvement of technology.  How education will be in 20 years?

 I believe one of biggest changes’ of virtual education is peoples’ believe on virtual education. There a lot of people who still don’t believe virtual education have several advantages which is best fit for new future’s educational systems. Being 24/7 is one advantage of virtual classes where as traditional classes are not. This makes online classes more convenient and increase people interest to online classes

Educational system on 2020: Virtual educational system instead of traditional system.

The demand for online or non-traditional classes is increasing. It does not matter if we want or we do not want, usage of a virtual world is becoming pervasive. Virtual classes are becoming more popular. And on 2020, most classes will be virtual classes. Like the other aspect of humans’ lives, education is taking advantage of technology. Education is going to use a virtual world to make education convenient for people. People will have access to fully virtual classes anytime from anywhere. We need to be ready and start shifting to using those virtual tools. Technology is providing more tools in which schools can enhance performance of their learning model. Virtual classes are challenging to take advantage of technology in order to exchange information and ideas between instructors and their students by using as many of the senses as possible.

Educational system on 2030: Collaborative educational system.

It is very important to know how it can help to have active students in a virtual world. The traditional method of learning is focused on presenting content of courses by the instructor and memorizing them by the students. Increasing students’ participation in team work is what will happen in virtual classes. Team work is one of the most important challenges which human beings are dealing with. People have different characteristics, different needs, different thoughts, etc in the real world. It’s too hard to get a few people to participate in team work. It is even worse in virtual world, because in virtual world, they get together from all over the world. In addition of stated differences; they have different culture, different language, and different religions. These make challenges more difficult.

The quality of products by a team is higher than the quality of individual effort. One of the advantages of on campus classes is team productivity which is not in the same level as online classes. In online classes, students are incorporating from different places with different cultures and interests. Not all students do their homework in the same manner. For example, students from sub-cultures don’t communicate as well as the other students.

Traditional courses involve reading a textbook then remembering the facts. In online classes, the course information is experienced by students, and then conclusions will be drawn about it to store, process and learn from it. Students incorporate the concepts of the course and use these concepts to complete their assignment (case study, projects, role play, labs, discussions, simulations, interactive games, and if any other learning techniques).

In future, online educational system will shifting students to learners. This step is to get students involved in real world solutions and using instructors as mentors and coaches to guide students by providing feedback, using synchronous and asynchronous interaction. Information will be explored by students and then be structured to form analogies that will be applied.

Teamwork will be encouraged and students will collaborate with each other. Having strong online collaboration skills and communication will display professionalism. The requirements for a computer supported cooperative project are; understanding of objectives, guidance, good communication, and feedback.

References:

Halal, W. (2008). Technology's promise: Expert knowledge on the transformation of business and society. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire England New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

Straus, S.G. (1996). Getting a clue: The effects of communication media and information distribution on participation and performance in computer-mediated and face-to-face groups. Small Group Research, (27:1), pp. 115-142.

Stricker, Andrew G., & Clemons, Larry, (2009). Simulation Gaming for Education in MyBase: The Future of Air Force Education and Training with virtual World Learning. Military Modeling and simulation Symposium

Stricker, Andrew G., & Clemons, Larry, (2009). Simulation Gaming for Education in MyBase: The Future of Air Force Education and Training with virtual World Learning. Military Modeling and simulation Symposium. Retrieved From http://www.au.af.mil/au/a46i/documents/Simulation-Gaming-for-Education(white-paper).pdf

Stuart T. Eccleston (2010). Successful Collaboration: Four Essential Traits of Effective Special Education Specialists. The journal of International Association of Special education.  Retrieved February 7, 2012.

Thomas, K.W., & Kilmann, R.H. (1974). Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument. Tuxedo, NY: Xicom.

Classrooms’ innovation

By taking advantage of technology, virtual classrooms have become common than traditional face to face classrooms. It is commonplace which students in virtual classrooms to be of different part of world with different culture and backgrounds, languages, habits and common senses. This is one reason that technology is helping education to be accessible.
The video is about Classrooms’ innovation.

http://animoto.com/play/cN1uOhv9AVxkWAXMt6MU7g

Futurist Prediction

The virtual world is a new field in computer science. It does not matter if we want or we do not want, usage of a virtual world is becoming pervasive. Virtual classes are becoming more popular, and in the future, most classes will be virtual classes. Like the other aspect of humans’ lives, education is taking advantage of technology. Education is going to use a virtual world to make education convenient for people. People will have access to virtual classes anytime from anywhere.

If education will not have another choice except virtual classes or when virtual classes have more advantages of traditional classes. We need to be ready and start shifting to using those virtual tools. It is very important to know how it can help to have active students in a virtual world. And know if students in a virtual class are as educated as traditional classroom students or even in a higher level.

One issue about virtual classrooms is; how can we increase student’s participation for a team work in virtual classes. People have deferent characteristics, deferent needs, deferent thoughts, and etc in real world. It’s too hard to get few people to do a team work. Even it is worth in virtual world, because in virtual world, they get to getter form all around the world. In addition of stated differences; they have deferent culture, deferent language, and deferent religion. These make challenging more difficult.

Traditional courses are reading a textbook then remembering the facts. In online classes, the course information is experience by students, and then conclusions will be drawn about it to store, process and learn it. Students incorporate the concepts of the course and use these concepts to complete their assignment (case study, projects, role play, labs, discussions, simulations, interactive games, and if any other learning techniques).

In order to motivate students to participate in course activities more, the first step that courses need to take is shifting students to learners. Getting students evolve in real world solutions and using instructors as mentors and coaches to guide students by providing feedback, synchronous and asynchronous interaction. Information will explore by students and then it will be structured to form analogies and will be applied.

Teamwork will be encouraged and students will play the collaboration role. Having a strong online collaboration skills and communication will cause professional benefits. The requirements for a computer supported cooperative project are; understanding of objectives, guidance, good communication, feedback.

In traditional courses, content are providing by subject matter and presentation medium. Also course designers focus on presentation medium not contents as a resource. Focusing on application and transformation of information instead of presentation of facts in another step to provide an active team work.

Virtual classes are challenging to take advantage of technology in order to exchange information and ideas between instructors and their students by using as many of the senses as possible.

References:

Anil, Aggarwal (2000). Web-based learning and teaching technologies: opportunities and challenges. Chapter II, “Opportunities in Web-Based Teaching: The Future of Education. Page 17, IDEA Group publishing, Retrieved from: http://books.google.com/books?id=iv7zGhspyz4C&lpg=PP1&ots=M8Fbni5KxD&dq=web%20based%20learning%20tools&lr=&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q=web%20based%20learning%20tools&f=false

Anil, Aggarwal (2003). Web-based education: leaning from experience. Part I, WBE: An Overview, Current and Future. Chapter I. A Guide to eCourse Management: The Stakeholders’ Perspectives. Publication: Hershey, PA Idea Group Publishing, Retrieved from: netlibrary.com.

Calongne, Cynthia. M. (2002). Promoting Team Interaction in the Online Classroom.  The Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges. Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges. Rocky Mountain Conference. October 18-19, 2002. Denver, Colorado. Volume 18, Number 1, pp. 218-227. Retrieved from http://library.colorado-tech.com/techreportalpha.htm

Calongne, Cynthia. M. (2007). Virtual Worlds in Online Education: Are You Ready to Teach in Second Life?. E-Learning for the Next Generation: Looking Ahead, 2007. TELECOOP Conference.April 11-13, 2007, Estes Park, Colorado. Retrieved from  http://www.telecoop.org/conference/presentations07.htm

Kirkman, B.L., Rosen, B., Gibson, C.B., Tesluk, P.E. & McPherson, S.O. (2002). Five challenges to virtual team success. Lessons from Sabre, Inc”. Academy of Management Executive.

Marguerita McVay, Lynch, & Maggie McVay, Lynch (2002). The online educator: a guide to creating the virtual classroom. Chapter 3; Building support system, Page 50. Published by RoutledgeFalmer, USA. Retrieved from http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=QRROoau84FoC&oi=fnd&pg=PP12&dq=virtual+classroom&ots=luSx-4ehAV&sig=6hWtOOYkUWDrLI-u8ykOtw5Oaco#v=onepage&q=&f=false

Moore, M. G., Anderson, W. G. (2003). Handbook of Distance Education. Part VI, The Economics of Distance Education. Cost-Effectiveness of Online Education. Publication: Mahwah, N.J., & Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. Retrieved from: netlibrary.com

How SDP process that would be used to analyze an online education?

We have all experienced that any time we are facing any issue, we benefit of dialogue. And we know how frustration is an unprogressive discussion. What helps a diverse and large group of people to lead their dialogue to progress is democracy. Christakis, A. N., & Bausch, K. C. (2006) believe Co-Laboratories Democracy;

• Discover root causes,
• Adopt consensual action plans
• Develop teams dedicated to implementing those plans

In online classes, students incorporate from different places with different cultures, religions, habits, interests, and so on. In these classes, students communicate in different manners. In other words, online teams are geographically diffused team. They might have team members from different backgrounds or cultures. Getting these students together with their diversity, and helping them to accomplish all course goals, need to have good team relationships. SDP process can be used to analyze an effective online course. To have an effective online course, special technology and tools are needed. Students need a learning environment which supports their needs and is an easy access course. In other words, the designers of these courses are walking a fine line between course options and tools.

How does the SDP support planning for innovation and change? 

The SDP supports online education by providing the step built an online education. The SDP can analyze these steps:

• Deciding what kind of online course students need
• Setting up online learning goals
• Creating structure of course
• Creating schedule
• Communication media
• Innovating
• Evaluating

References:
Calongne, C. M. (2002). “Promoting team interaction in the online classroom”, Technical Report , Computer Science Department, CTU-CS-2002-002, Retrieved from http://library.colorado-tech.com/papers/2002/tr02calongne002.pdf
Christakis, A. N., & Bausch, K. C. (2006). How People Harness Their Collective Wisdom and Power to Construct the Future in Co-Laboratories of Democracy (Research in Public Management). Illustrated edition.
Pearce, C., & Artemesia (2009). Communities Of Play: emergent Cultures In Multiplayer Games And Virtual World. Massachusetts: Massachusetts Institue Of Technlogy.

Delphi and NGT

The modified NGT is an evaluation tool which can complement or replace other educational tools like surveys. Also it can be used to evaluate established courses or new curricula courses or programs. Its features which are NGT advantages are:

• Produces rank-ordered
• Weighted
• Semi-quantitative data on learners’ perceptions of the strengths and weaknesses of a course
• It generates both positive and negative feedback
• And also it minimizes the influence that a “vocal minority” of learners.

NGT has three research based fundamental;

• Nominal’ Groups
• Round Robin’ element
• Reliable communication requires

The Delphi method is a qualitative and quantitative research technique which is suited when phenomena knowledge is uncompleted. Also it is suitable for research projects which focus on solutions, forecasts, opportunities and problems because it is a fluid discipline ripe for research. Delphi has many varieties such as, sample size, methodological orientation, mode of interaction, and the number of rounds. Rigor can be added to the method by considering these choices.
The advantages of Delphi:

• The greater advantage of Delphi is that he researcher will validate the results, by triangulation, with another research approach.
• The Delphi approach can be adapted to a particular situation creatively and aggressively.
• When adapting the approach, there is a need to balance validity with innovation.

References:
Dobbie, A., MD., Rhodes, M., FRCGP, Tysinger, J. W., PhD., & Freeman, J., MD. (2004). Using a modified nominal group technique as a curriculum evaluation tool. Family Medicine.
Skulmoski, G., Hartman, F. T., & Krahn, J. (2007). The Delphi method for graduate research. Journal of Information Technology Education. Vol. 6.
http://www.mycoted.com/Nominal_Group_Technique

How to fool a GPS

Todd Humphreys: How to fool a GPS

The Department of Defense originally developed Global Position System (GPS) as a military system. Selective Availability (SA) was employed by military to degrade the signal globally for national security reasons.
On May 2, 2000, Bill Clinton switched the satellite of GPS (Global Position System). Improved technologies allowed GPS every civilian GPS receiver around the globe to downgrade the signal’s quality on a regional basis. Users will be able to pinpoint locations up to ten times more accurately then they used to do.
GPS does not just tell the user which street they are on, but what part of the street they are on. GPS made the paper map obsolete. Another revolution in Geo Location Accuracy has changed meter level positioning to cm level or even mm level positioning.
Professor Robert Langdon is working on GPS dot which is a tracking device accrued within 2 feet anywhere on the globe. GPS dot was impossible. One reason for impossibility of GPS dot was that GPS did not work indoors. And the other reason was that they could not make a GPS device that small.
But the GPS receivers which were recently released, are in the size of CM and more sensitive than ever before. Now GPS dot is possible in the real world, not just in science-fiction movies. We can buy GPS dot in bulk and stick them on anything we want to track. For example, you can stick a GPS dot on your wallet and never lose your wallet or you would never lose your child in Disneyland.).
The advantage of GPS dot:
· More sensitivity
· Size
· User won’t lose anything.
There are several tools to fool a GPS signals. One effective way is using a device named Wave Bubble. Wave Bubble is unopened GPS jammers which Lemur Freed developed. This device cleans personal space. It creates a bubble around the user which the GPS signal cannot penetrate.

The other tool to fool a GPS signals is the GPS Spoofer. This device does not jam the signals but fools them.

Reference:
http://www.ted.com/talks/todd_humphreys_how_to_fool_a_gps.html
http://www.rbbi.com/news/2000/gps1.htm
http://www.navigadget.com/index.php/2007/10/08/another-gps-gsm-jammer-wave-bubble

Game Based Learning

It is important to know what motivates the students to participate in class activities. The online classes have to be fun to motivate students to log in and join in the classes for participating actively. One technology which can make online classes more interesting is game based learning. Game based learning is effective for educational purpose. Game based learning has several advantages:

·       Game based learning increase participation:

·       Students participate better in game based learning.

·       Game based learning improve communication and collaboration.

But the most important potential of game based learning is it’s ability to foster collaboration and engaging students in learning process.

http://www.play2teach.com/images/table_3.jpg

 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_YxtxWyzMA

 

 

http://www.zobble.com/Newsletter/GameBaseLearning-FunBasedLearning/images/Banner.png

 

References:

 

Johnson, L., Smith, R., Willis, H., Levine, A., & Haywood, K. (2011). The 2011 Horizon Report. Austin, Texas: The New Media Consortium

Cynthia M. Calongne, (2005). Assessment by Playing: using game Design in our online course rubrics. Technical Report , Computer Science Department, CTU-CS-2005-001, http://library.colorado-tech.com/papers/2005/tr05calongne001.pdf

Cynthia M. Calongne, (2005). Let’s Play: Using Game Design in Our Online Course Rubrics. Technical Report , Computer Science Department, CTU-CS-2005-002. http://library.colorado-tech.com/papers/2005/tr05calongne002.pdf

Cynthia M. Calongne, (2005). Playing to enhance learning: using game Design in our online course rubrics. Technical Report , Computer Science Department, CTU-CS-2005-003, http://library.colorado-tech.com/papers/2005/tr05calongne003.pdf

Help me to simulate the year 2012

I wake up by my magic device’s alarm sound. What is this magic device? Oh, it is a device and if you follow up, you will find out why I call it a magic device. One of the features of this device is that it works with voice commands. When I wake up, all I need to say is “Alarm Off” then the device will shut the alarm down. Then by saying my favorite radio stations’ names, my favorite radio station will be broadcasted from my magic device. While I am listening to the news, I go to the bathroom (of course I take my device with me). Then I just need to say “turn the shower on” it will be turned on. I test the water to see if it is cold or hot, I can tell my device “Warmer”, it will sent the signal to the tap and the tap will turn a little to the left. Now it is time to shave my face after my shower. While I am shaving my face, I can listen to my favorite songs by saying “Play (song’s name)” then my device will search that song from Internet and will play it. While I am preparing my breakfast I can chat with my friends. I just need to say “Who is Online”, then my device will call all my online friends. Next, I say the one’s name whom I want to chat with. Then, whatever I say will be transmitted to my friend as a text, and what my friend sent me as a text, my device will convert it to voice for me. I also can turn the TV on and switch it to my favorite channel. When I leave the house, I set the house alarm and lock the door by my device.  Now I am getting in my car. I do not have any key, what I need to do is to say “open the car’s door” then I say “start the car”. I want to listen to the traffic report; I just need to say “traffic report” then my device will turn the car’s radio to the traffic report station. Also I need directions to my destination. My device will navigate to the address that I mention. I forgot to mention, when it is sunny, my device will charge up its battery. Yes, it is using solar power as well. Now it is time to park the car and turn the car off. I say “turn the car off”, my device will confirm it by asking me “are you sure you want to turn the car off?” and if I repeat “turn the car off”, it will turn the care off. I get out of the car and say “Lock the car”, now my car is off. I need to get my bag from the trunk, I say “open the trunk”, now it is opened.

Privacy Scales in Ubiquitous Computing Forum

Digital Privacy

Chapter Thirteen

Privacy Scales in Ubiquitous Computing Forum

People buy and use devices. All these devices can be connected to each other wirelessly. Also all these devices can be recognized automatically. People can track the devices; find their addresses, also potentially, trigger services or activities. Ubiquitous computing refers to the environment where these devices are enhanced with digital qualities.

Control is one of the UC problems. The control issues have been raised and this causes privacy issues associated with UC. Author states two reasons for losing privacy in UC environments.

1.      Losing control over being accessed: People will perceive control when they are aware that their response can lead them to desired outcome. Author stated that in a UC  environment, “this aspect would imply that people can easily opt out of being accessed by the intelligent infrastructure”

2.      Lack of control over inform use and maintenance

Based on RFID PET research, privacy enhancing technologies has two type models:

1.      User Model: In this model, users have full control over RFID tags.

2.      Agent Model: In this model, RFID tags are answering the network requests.

And also author has presented three scales developer of a UC and RFID technology.

1.      Control Definition and initial items development

2.      Empirical item testing

3.      Internal consistency and reliability of control items.

Reference:

Acquisti, Alessandro, Gritzalis, Stefanos, Lambrinoudakis, Costas, De Capitani Di Vimercati, Sabrina (2008). “Digital Privacy, Theory, Technologies, and Practices”. Auerback Publications. Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

Security by Design

Beautiful Security

Chapter Ten

Security by Design

Authors believe security is beautiful when system designer apply it in system design lifecycle (design, built, and test). And they believe it is ugly when we use it as an afterthought. Also they believe security is highly interrelated, and is achievable in cost effective way. When you want to have a secure environment you need to know, and clearly define the environment to have an effective environment security posture. Whenever we need a secure system you need to have a clearly known, clearly defined system.

Security vulnerabilities contribute to low reliable, poor system performance, and poor quality system. What we need to do is focusing on achieving security and quality before expanding the feature set product. What the authors suggest is achieving appropriate levels of quality and security then transition a product to volume production.

Before developing a program;

·        Determine the attributes that need to be measured

·        Interdependencies of these attributes

·        And the acceptable levels for these attribute.

Some suggestions:

·        Develop risk based security programs that address security at all phases of the system development lifecycle.

·        Instead of testing security into the system, design security.

·        Good design discipline reduces the total cost of designing, developing and operating a system in many cases.

·        Well designed system will provide significant benefits in improved security.

Reference:

Oram, Andy, Viega, John (2009). “Beautiful Security, Leading Security Experts Explain How They Think”, Copyright 2009 O’reilly Media, Inc.

The Evolution of PGP's Web of Trust

Beautiful Security

Chapter Seven

The Evolution of PGP's Web of Trust

What is PGP: PGP or Pretty Good Privacy was people’s first opportunity to use strong encryption in 1991. It let people from all around the world to connect with privacy. And it solve the problem of connecting people who never had exchanged secure keys. PGP is a software. It is an implementation of many implementation of the OpenPGP standard.

Few concept related to PGP

Trust: the mechanism that is used to decide whether a key is valid. Trust is a relationship that helps us determine validity. 

Validity: Validity is only a score to determine whether the name on a key is accurate. A key is valid if it is actually owned by the person who claims to own it.

How PGP works: you tell PGP whom you trust to sign keys, and PGP tells which keys are valid by tallying up a score for each key depending on who signed the key and how much you trust the person who signed it.

Trust Models: A Trust model is a general scheme that formalized trust.

Direct Trust: The most straightforward type of trust. It is the best, simple, well and trustworthy model of trust. In this model a certificate that holds the key is signed by the certificate itself. This model has one problem. It does not scale very well to the size of the internet.

Hierarchical Trust: In this model validate a certificate which has signed by someone whom you believe to be accurate. This model is a straightforward model. It has an obvious risk. If the authority makes a mistake the effect of that mistake is great.

Cumulative Trust: This model takes a number of Factors and uses them to decide whether a certificate is valid.

PGP web of trust:

In the PGP trust model, all users are also certification authorities. This mode uses “introducer” instead of “authority”.

Revocation: all PKIs need a way to revoke certificates. Revocation is theoretically simple in a hierarchical PKI. Revocation is needed because people lose their control of keys or computers. PGP web of trust has two mechanisms for revocation:

1.      Key revocation: users must be able to revoke the whole thing. By signing this key, revocation signature invalidates all of its certifications.

2.      Signature revocation: A key can create a signature declaring that another signature is no longer valid.

Scaling Issues: The Web of Trust works at its best with groups of people up to few thousand people. But it does not work well with a large network such as internet, because there are few paths between people who do not know each other. There few ways to improve the scaling.

1.      Extended introducers: expanding introducers to multilevel hierarchies is one way which improve the scaling. Each signing node in the tree must be given trust.

2.      Authoritative keys: Some keys or certificates are presumed to be genuine just because they come from an appropriate authority.

Reference:

Oram, Andy, Viega, John (2009). “Beautiful Security, Leading Security Experts Explain How They Think”, Copyright 2009 O’reilly Media, Inc.