Ignition Discussion Questions

Transcription

1 Ignition Discussion Questions Module 1: Choosing a Computer 1. Why is it important to compare features of a computer before making a purchase? What are the different features of a computer that people should consider before making their selection? 2. What is cloud computing, and what does it enable us to do? 3. What are some of the ways computers change and evolve over time? What do you predict computers will be like 20 years from now? Module 2: Wireless Communication 1. Is owning a cell phone a big responsibility? How can people be more responsible with using or paying for their phones? 2. What are the dangers of using a cell phone while driving? 3. What can people do either as passengers or drivers to prevent texting while driving? Module 3: The Viral World 1. What kinds of risks can come with using technology? How can people reduce those risks, especially when it comes to protecting their privacy and online identities? 2. Is it possible to spend too much time with technology? What signs might indicate that someone is overusing technology? 3. How can people keep their technology use in check? Module 4: Internet Resources and Credibility 1. What does it mean to plagiarize, and what are some ways that people can make sure they are NOT plagiarizing? 2. What are the consequences of plagiarism? 3. How do we use technology in our schoolwork? When does technology use cause a problem in school? Module 5: Creating Multimedia Products 1. How can technology help people to be creative or to express themselves and their ideas? 2. Why do people need to be careful about what they post or share online?

2 3. What is the purpose of copyright? What are some examples of copyright infringement? Module 6: Digital Relationships and Respect 1. What is cyberbullying? 2. Is cyberbullying different than regular bullying? How is it different? 3. What should a person do if he or she is cyberbullied? What can you do as a friend if you see someone being cyberbullied? 4. How can people your age help put an end to cyberbullying? Module 7: The Future of Technology and You 1. What are some ways that technology has changed various professions and careers? 2. What is STEM? What are STEM careers, and why are they important? 2. What are some new jobs that have been created by of technology? 3. How can people your age start planning for a career in technology now?

3 Ignition Discussion Questions - Teacher Answer Key Module 1: Choosing a Computer 1. Why is it important to compare features of a computer before making a purchase? What are the different features of a computer that people should consider before making their selection? It s important to choose a computer that matches your wants and needs (today and at least a few years down the road). Features to consider: cost, monitor size, portability, memory capacity (or RAM), wireless capabilities, performance speed (how well it works with many programs running at once), hard drive space (how much data will be stored), and graphics and sound capabilities (how well you ll edit and experience multimedia). 2. What is cloud computing, and what does it enable us to do? Cloud computing allows people to use applications without having to install them on their hard drive. With cloud computing, people can access their personal files at any computer with internet access because it removes the need to have them stored on their computers. Some examples include social networking sites and photo sharing sites. 3. What are some of the ways computers change and evolve over time? What do you predict computers will be like 20 years from now? It is estimated that computing power and memory capacity double roughly every two years, which means that every few years, computer manufacturers release products that have even better, faster processors, larger hard drives, and improved software to go along with it. Some people predict that computers will continue to get smaller and faster over time, though we can t know for sure. Module 2: Wireless Communication 1. Is owning a cell phone a big responsibility? How can people be more responsible with using or paying for their phones? People can be responsible with their phones by choosing a cell phone plan they can afford and by sticking to that plan (e.g., not going over their minutes). People can also be responsible with their phones by choosing not to text while driving, not to share

4 inappropriate or hurtful messages with others, and not to use phones in disruptive or disrespectful ways in class. 2. What are the dangers of using a cell phone while driving? Using a phone while driving is especially dangerous because it distracts people in three different ways. By looking at your phone, using your phone to text or dial, and thinking about what you re texting or saying, your hands, mind, and eyes are taken off the road. Research shows that texting while driving increases your chances of getting into an accident, and that s why it s against the law in many states. 3. What can people do either as passengers or drivers to prevent texting while driving? As a passenger, it s important to speak up and tell the driver about the dangers of texting while driving. You can also remind the driver that there can be legal consequences of texting while driving and offer to be a designated texter. As a driver, you can discuss ahead of time with friends and family that you won t return texts or calls while driving, make a pact not to text while driving with your friends, put your phone out of sight and out of reach before starting to drive, or simply turn your phone off and take advantage of the quiet time in the car. Module 3: The Viral World 1. What kinds of risks can come with using technology? How can people reduce those risks, especially when it comes to protecting their privacy and online identities? Some risks that come with using technology include computer viruses, identity theft, threats to personal privacy and security, and technology overuse. People can protect their privacy and online identities by limiting the amount of personal information they share online, creating strong passwords and changing them every two months, never accepting friend requests from people they don t know, and never opening attachments or downloading applications from sources they don t trust.

5 2. Is it possible to spend too much time with technology? What signs might indicate that someone is overusing technology? The consequences of overusing technology can lead to academic problems, being less connected to friends or family, health issues, or missing out on other opportunities, like extracurricular activities or social outings. 3. How can people keep their technology use in check? People can keep their technology use un check by setting goals for how much time to spend with technology each day, keeping track of their time spent on the computer or phone, turning off their phone when it might be distracting (like while driving, doing homework, or eating dinner with family), and finding other things to do with their time that don t involve technology. Module 4: Internet Resources and Credibility 1. What does it mean to plagiarize, and what are some ways that people can make sure they are NOT plagiarizing? Plagiarizing is when you try to pass off other people s work, including printed or online materials, images or media, as your own. People can avoid plagiarizing by always giving credit to the source, using quotation marks, checking their work against the original text, and asking their teacher if they are ever unsure of when or how to cite a source. 2. What are the consequences of plagiarism? The consequences of plagiarizing vary by school, but may include suspension or expulsion as well as getting a failing grade on an assignment. 3. How do we use technology in our schoolwork? When does technology use cause a problem in school? Some positive uses of technology for schoolwork include using tools, like presentation software, for projects, or finding credible online sources for research projects. Some negative uses would include using devices in disruptive or disrespectful ways, like texting in class or sharing answers to an assignment or quiz. Ask your teacher when and how it s appropriate to use technology for school work.

6 Module 5: Creating Multimedia Products 1. How can technology help people to be creative or to express themselves and their ideas? Technology allows people to be creators and producers of media. People may use tools like graphic or video editing software to create their own videos, and many people are creating their own personal websites (e.g., blogs, social networking profiles). Tools, like presentation software, can also be used creatively for school projects. 2. Why do people need to be careful about what they post or share online? Creating or producing online media comes with responsibility. People cannot always control their audience, so should make sure that they don t post anything online that would embarrass or jeopardize the reputation of themselves or others. What you post online can also spread rapidly and be impossible to delete or remove, so people should think before publishing something that they might later regret. 3. What is the purpose of copyright? What are some examples of copyright infringement? A copyright is something a person purchases in order to have exclusive legal rights to reproduce, publish, sell, or distribute something. Others must ask permission to reproduce, publish, sell or distribute anything that is copyrighted. Examples of copyright infringement include: Illegally downloading or sharing media, posting a copyrighted movie on your blog, or using a company s logo on your website without that company s permission. Module 6: Digital Relationships and Respect 1. What is cyberbullying? Cyberbullying is the act of using technology in a repeated way to target a person or group of people in a way that could embarrass, hurt, or make the recipient feel threatened or unsafe. Cyberbullying comes in many forms, but may include sending an angry or threatening text message, posting a mean rumor online, or creating a fake profile in someone s name to embarrass or humiliate that person.

7 2. Is cyberbullying different than regular bullying? How is it different? Cyberbullying often happens behind closed doors which can make it more difficult to initially identify. Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullies often say or do things that they wouldn t necessarily do face- to face because they don t have to deal with seeing the person s reaction on the other side of the screen. At the same time, victims don t always report cyberbullying, which often lets the bullying continue and escalate. Finally, because of the viral nature of the internet, acts of cyberbullying can spread more rapidly and be even more devastating for victims. 3. What should a person do if he or she is cyberbullied? What can you do as a friend if you see someone being cyberbullied? Victims of cyberbullying should always save the evidence of the cyberbullying and share it with a trusted adult. They should also avoid responding or cyberbullying back and may consider blocking the cyberbully. If your friend is being cyberbullied, you should remind your friend of these steps and assure your friend that what happened is not his or her fault. 4. How can people your age help put an end to cyberbullying? People can help put an end to cyberbullying by always stepping up and intervening when they see it going on. People should always report any incidents of cyberbullying to a trusted adult. Consider starting a pledge at your school for students to commit to stepping up and stopping cyberbullying in its tracks. Module 7: The Future of Technology and You 1. What are some ways that technology has changed various professions and careers? Technology has changed a number of careers and fields, including medicine, engineering, business, and education, to name a few. For example, teachers today have new tools to integrate into the classroom, like slideshows and interactive diagrams to illustrate discussions and feedback. With technology, many businesses expand their markets online, making their products available to people all over the world via online purchases or downloads.

8 2. What is STEM? What are STEM careers, and why are they important? STEM stands for "science, technology, engineering and mathematics. A STEM career is any career that uses any of these disciplines. Doctors, forensic scientists, biochemists, marine biologists, and architects are a few examples of STEM careers. People with STEM careers are working to improve the world we live in. From developing advanced medical treatments to protecting our aquatic life from pollution, they're working to improve technologies so that society can grow and thrive. 3. What are some new jobs that have been created by of technology? Some jobs created by technology include graphic design, digital marketing, software engineering, web design, and programming. 4. How can people your age start planning for a career in technology now? People can start planning for a career in technology now by taking relevant classes, like math and computer science, throughout high school, and participate in relevant activities to gain experience in their field of interest. Students can also talk to their guidance or college counselor about what kinds of college or university programs to pursue based on their interests.