The Next New Thing

The next new type of media I can suggest is virtual reality courses for college students. For instance, students can enroll in certain courses that allow them to travel to that time period in the world; like for a history course students can take virtual reality history: and it can be about the history of the renaissance period for example. With virtual reality, there is so much to learn about and explore. I think virtual reality courses would make learning more fun and interesting and students will be more intrigued to experience what they are also learning about.

Our Class Wiki - So Far

I plan to contribute to our wiki by commenting and viewing my fellow classmate's blogs. My goal is to better understand how to adapt to new media.

P2P File Sharing

File sharing is the public or private sharing of computer data or space in a network with various levels of access privilege.

P2P file sharing allows users to access media files such as books, music, movies, and games using a P2P software program that searches for other connected computers on a P2P network to locate the desired content.

(Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peer-to-peer_file_sharing)

According to the NYTimes online article, Digital Pirates Winning Battle With Studios, By BRIAN STELTER and BRAD STONE, examples of P2P includes downloading and having access to media
such as music, television shows, movies, etc.;in a more sophisticated and easier way.  

The article states, "People have swapped illegal copies of songs, television shows and movies on the Internet for years. The slow download process, often using a peer-to-peer technology called BitTorrent, required patience and a modicum of sophistication by users. Now, users do not even have to download. Using a search engine, anyone can find free copies of movies, still in theaters, in a matter of minutes. Classic TV, like every “Seinfeld” episode, ever produced, is also free for the streaming. Some of these digital copies are derived from bootlegs, while others are replicas of the advance review videos that studios send out before a release".

Privacy & Confidentiality

Privacy can very much be problematic because of the information we share about ourselves on the internet. For instance, when we use google it personalizes the ads we see and the suggestions made based on what we search on a daily basis. Therefore, it's as if google already knows who we are.

For hackers, they can misuse the information we decide to share and it may cause more harm than good.

With technology expanding and new media developing rapidly, privacy and confidentiality in the technological world are constantly being questioned. We are unaware of how secure the information we use is because scammers and hackers are becoming more successful at deceiving consumers.

As our technology increases, scammers and hackers are quickly learning how to adapt to new technology.

There are fake websites created to retrieve consumers personal information and therefore it results in identity theft. The use of apps on our phones are sometimes false and we are unaware of it.
In general, everything is becoming more technologically advanced, and it is a good thing that we have so much access to new media, but it is also a bad thing because the more technology we use the more privacy and confidentiality concerns we have as well.

Advice to the College

You are hired by the College to use new media to improve the College. What are some suggestions you would make using new media?

I would suggest educators use new technology such as social media to stay in contact with students and keep relevant class related information updated. 

Instead of using sites such as blackboard and communicating through emails, professors can encourage students to make their own classroom facebook page or a twitter account for example. These social websites will strictly allow students to upload posts relating to the class, socialize with fellow classmates, upload photos that fosters bonding and communication and the professor will have full access to the pages to instruct the students. 

Also, I would encourage the use of Ebooks instead of hardcover copies and to limit using paper. The professor can also create a blog site or a website designed for students to upload their work without going through the usual CUNY systems. It would be less time consuming and low cost effective because the information is easily obtained and the students are kept up to date by the instructor.

Creativity and New Media

I like to learn and read about astrology; so I created a tool where I can personalize my zodiac sign based on my personal information and birthdate. The website I used then generates my personal horoscope.

Shawnnasia Floyd Personal Birth Horoscope 

Sun in birth horoscope

Sun in Gemini: You are a nonconformist and an extrovert. You let yourself affected quickly and get mad. Learn to relax.

Sun in 11th House: No matter what happens, you always get the help of friends or acquaintances who share your original ideas. You are interested in the world`s problems, but you often happen to forget the needs of individuals.

+ Sun conjunction (0°) Moon: You are blessed with a happy life and a good wife.

+ Sun conjunction (0°) Mercury: You have a bright mind that you use in artistic or scientific activities.

Moon in birth horoscope

Moon in Gemini: Once a thought comes to your mind you immediately express yourself. You get involved in a variety of things with reckless energy.

Moon in 11th House: You gather around you a circle of friends who share your concerns for a better world.

+ Moon conjunction (0°) Mercury: You display a number of enviable qualities including common sense, a bright mind and an excellent memory.

Mercury in birth horoscope

Mercury in Gemini: You draw conclusions in a logical way based on your objective perception on the things that surround you. You show interest in anything and display a great capacity for understanding.

Mercury in 11th House: Your work focuses on the exchange of ideas with friends. You don`t have a preset goal in life but you are concerned with the idea of a better world.

I was able to personalize my horoscope on signsbystars.com

Here is the website's URL where you can create your own
http://www.signsbystars.com/personalized_birth_horoscope-en-5-0.htm

On this page it explains my personal horoscope in depth; I am a Gemini
My compatibility horoscope, daily horoscope,
numerological compatibility, and etc.

Creativity

New media fosters creativity because it allows people to think of new innovative ideas that can expand technologies to a higher level. For instance, people/inventors of different social networks, applications, music, websites, video games, smartphones, etc., are always looking for ways to increase new media and enhance technology. 
The result of new media changing rapidly allows people to think more creatively and then it is implemented within our society. It's why apple iPhones are so popular and everyone feels as if they should own one. Each time when the newer version of the older version is released there is a different and more upgraded spec about the device. 
Also, we see this way of technology changing and it becoming popular within our social networking sites. 
According to the online article  'Twitter Serves Up Ideas From Its Followers", by  CLAIRE CAIN MILLER, "

Companies big and small monitor Twitter to find out what their customers like and what they want changed. Twitter does the same.....

           It started two years ago as a bare-bones service, offering little more than the ability to post 140-                    character messages. Then, it outsourced its idea generation to its users. The company watches how              people use the service and which ideas catch on. Then its engineers turn the ideas into new                            features. In the next several weeks, Twitter users will discover two new features, Lists and Retweets, 

           that had the same user-generated beginnings." 

The article goes on to explain how it's twitter followers helped to create new ideas to enhance and/or improve the social networking site. Many companies use its consumers to help implement innovative ideas. The article states, "Technology companies have been the most active in relying on others to innovate for them. This is in large part because the Internet lets people exchange ideas easily and rapidly with large groups, and computing tools let people design new products cheaply." 

As long as ideas will continue to be easily shared throughout certain mediums, new media/technology will be created and new ideas will be implemented within our society that we will follow.