CCT+205+Labs


 * Lab 2** - What "digital innovation" do you feel best deserves the title of "revolutionary" and why?**

As the hype of Facebook, the iPad, Twitter, Skype and the many other so called 'revolutionary technologies' continues to grow, the only way to determine whether one or the other deserves the title of revolutionary depends on time and how we choose to use these technologies as we move into the future.

While proponents of technologies- namely the corporations themselves, conjure up the many reasons why they deem their technology is revolutionary, the driving force behind their motivation is to increase their profit. History has proven time and again that the birth of a revolutionary technology was not the result of its original purpose, but rather how 'we' chose to use the technology. The phonograph, radio,television, and computers that surround us today are classic reminders of how the creative mind of one inventor does not dictate the creative mind of so many others.

As consumers, we can take advantage of such technologies ,however, we should remind ourselves that we are not slaves to such technologies. In other words, the success of a technology is dependent on how we choose to incorporate it into our lives.

=****Lab 3** - What do you think of the Mac application store?**=

The ability for consumers to access applications in an effortless seamless process is a testament to Apple's creative effort to maintain and attract new users. Make it easy and people will do it. Consequently, the "frictionless" distribution of applications will not only generate sales for Apple, but it will garner a strong motivation for developers to design products that can fill every niche in the market.

On the other hand, with so many applications to choose from - with an average price equivalent to pocket change, I would be weary of the quality of the applications. You get what you pay for. It can be quite tempting for anyone to download applications for the sake of buying cheap. One should question the integrity of the available applications as the benefits of having too many options may be outweighed by the cost.

Regardless of the pros and cons of the Mac application store, Apple deserves credit for their creative innovation which will inevitably push and extend the use of technologies beyond what we can only imagine today into tomorrow.

****Lab 4** -** **Choose one of Daniel Pink's six senses and discuss a real-world example that demonstrates it. **

 * There is perhaps no other company out there that can convey and capture the users emotions better than Apple. Apple delivers the sense of emotion through their commercials and the usability of their products. By portraying the use of their products by average folks, whether it be at home, office, or play, Apple captures the users emotions through the many possible scenarios which their products can be used. If not creative, Apple certainly knows what the users want. **


 * From the physical design of their products to the interface which has made the Apple brand synonymous with functional simplicity, individuals with varying backgrounds and demographics have found reasons - if not the need, to indulge themselves with the many product offerings by Apple. From the small form factor of the shuffle, to the simplicity and portability of the iPad, Apple has demonstrated that knowing what the consumers want is the secrete to their success. **


 * Furthermore, the simplicity of Apple's interface has made the usability of their products accessible by the young and old alike. By understanding the human capacity and potential, Apple has fostered a greater sense of purpose for users and the use of Apple products. **


 * Lab5** - Turkle Article - Response**

Sherry Turkle’s book, “Alone Together” is a subtle reminder that we should be mindful of technology and its effects on users which can subtle and yet profound.Personally, I’m in agreement with the observations Turkle noted in her book.

Technology can help mediate our daily activities, however, it can also consume every moment of our time – from the time we wake up, till we go to bed. Our need to be ‘connected’ may give us the assurance that an event or happening is just a blink away, however, the need to constantly stay connected not only consumes our time, but it also consumes our mind.

In other words, inherent in every technology is its ability to mould and shape us. We should be mindful that technology can lead us into a false sense of security as we delve deeper into the technological glut experienced today.

=****Lab 7** - Alinsky's 11 rules**=

While I don’t completely agree with Alinsky’s “11 Rules for Radicals,” Rule two: Never go outside the experience of your people, rule three: Whenever possible, go outside the experience of an opponent, and rule six: A good tactic is one your people enjoy - Exemplify two of Daniel Pink’s six senses stressed in his book “A Whole New Mind’.

Alinsky’s rule two states to never go outside the experience of your people coincides with Pink’s fourth sense, empathy, the ability to imagine yourself in someone else’s position and to understand what that person is feeling. The understanding of people in general allows for insight which allows you to work within the limits and boundaries of those you work with. Furthermore, leadership is about empathy, to possess the ability to relate and connect to people for inspiring and empowering their minds.

Alinsky’s rule number three is also tied to empathy as the requirement to go outside the experience of your opponent requires the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes, hence anticipate their actions.

Alinsky’s rule number six states that a good tactic is one your people enjoy, exemplifies Pink’s 5th sense of play. People rarely succeed at anything unless they are having fun doing it. To play is to act out and be willful, exultant, and committed as if one is assured of one’s prospects.

=****Lab 8** - Virtual versus Physical classrooms**= While it may be true that virtual classrooms can emulate physical classrooms in every aspect of the delivery of course material, there are major differences between the two modes of learning that can be detrimental to the student's learning outcome.

Perhaps the most enticing qualities of a virtual classroom is the ability to connect to the internet instead of traveling to school and consequently save money and time. Virtual classrooms also have the advantage of being more flexible rather than having to go to classes during a prescribed time. However, in addition to learning, students - especially in their junior years require the discipline to complete tasks that challenge them. Learning is not just about academics, it involves learning about our interactions with others and being a 'part' of an institution that we are affiliated with. In my opinion, virtual schools caters to the "you" sell tactic highlighted in the book "Ego Boom". "You" can study when "you" want, how "you" want, wherever "you" want. In today's society, we want things to be had easily without having to make the sacrifices that was once talked about by our parents, and grandparents. It should come as no surprise that achievements no longer hold the same merit as in the past, we no longer enjoy the fruits of our labor. Why should we? In our world of abundance, education is no exception. Furthermore, with security issues witnessed in the internet today, how will we guarantee and safeguard not just our identity but the integrity of our diploma or degree?

In short, while virtual learning may seem promising in terms of what it's capable of delivering, it's a far cry from being able to fulfill the true essence of learning.

=**Lab 9** - In Design=

**Lab 11** - Congestion Management or Eavesdropping?
====The exponential growth of data processing power has led to the development of deep packet inspection - a system that enables internet service providers and or 3rd party agencies to collect and analyze communications of unsuspecting users over the internet. The central tenet regarding debates over deep packet inspection its potential to change the internet as it exists today.====

====Deep packet inspection can and will break the dwindling sense of trust consumers have as third party middleman such as Kemp's agency presides over the communication between unsuspecting users. Consequently, this erosion of trust will lead to the alteration of public behavior through self-censorship and the inhibition online activities.====

====As a medium commonly thought to foster free speech and the expression of ideas to the greater public, the internet is in jeopardy of losing its credibility.The internet service providers' case for 'congestion management' is unprecedented, and invasive surveillance of millions of subscribers. Hence,deep packet inspection is a blatant act of eavesdropping under the guise of congestion management.====