Commonly Thoughtless Behaviors #1 (Group Discussion)

1) In a group of four, take turns reading this excerpt (emphasis mine) from the article The Stupid Things You Do Online (And How to Fix Them) by Adam Dachis.


2) Once your group has read the article, discuss ways that you have experienced this behavior.


3) Decide on one person to compose a comment to this blog post that summarizes your group's discussion.


4) Use the class comment guidelines.  Include each group member's name and class number in the post.


5) Read others' comments.  Respond when appropriate.

The Stupid Things You Do Online (and How to Fix Them)

by Adam Dachis


The internet can bring you a lot of joy, but it can also turn into a world of pain the moment you make one stupid mistake. Perhaps you've been feeding the trolls, using "password" as your password, or selling your soul for access to a "free" web app. Your dumb mistakes can come back to bite if you aren't careful. Here's how you can save yourself from yourself online.

Stupid Thing #1: You Undervalue Your Personal Data

Full size

Most of the web has the appearance of being free, but when you sign up for Google services or a Facebook account you're potentially handing over a much more valuable commodity: your personal information.

Companies want this information because it can be used to target more relevant ads to you. The more relevant the ads, the more likely you're going to buy. Although advertisements aren't necessarily all bad, because it's often preferable to see ads for things we actually want. 

You shouldn't stop using the services you love just because they have a hidden cost, but it's important to understand that free services aren't really free. You are paying with your right to privacy, and that can feel a little invasive.

Fortunately, you can have your cake and eat it too. If you don't like targeted ads based on your search history, you can just utilize your browser's Do Not Track options. Facebook now offers lots of ways to set the level of privacy you want to maintain, which is great, but with all the options it can be tough to learn and get just the way you want. Our always up-to-date guide to managing your Facebook privacy can get you up to speed.

One of the first things you should do with Facebook is prevent apps from using your personal data as much as possible. Signing up for an app can provide the developers with much more information than you may realize as the apps will take information they don't necessarily need. To find out what each app is doing and limit its reach, just click the downward-facing triangle in the upper-right hand corner of your Facebook page and choose "Account Settings." From there click the Apps tab and click the "Edit" link next to any app. You'll see a list of what it is allowed to do plus the information it can access. Some stuff will be required for the app to function, but you'll almost always find something that isn't. Click the "Remove" link to revoke the app's permission to access that information.

Source

SOPA and PIPA

Step 1:
Open a Word Document.

Step 2:
Research SOPA and PIPA.  Compile facts, professional opinions, and figures into your word document.  Keep track of where you get all information by creating a "Works Cited" page.

Step 3:
Pick either SOPA or PIPA to write about.  Just pick one.  Not both.  Pick a stance (do you agree or disagree?).

Step 4:
Answer the following question in your word document:
) What does SOPA (or PIPA) do?
) Who came up with the idea?
) Who supports the idea?
) Who is against the idea?
) What will happen if SOPA (or PIPA) passes?
) What will happen if SOPA (or PIPA) fails?
) What is your stance in regards to SOPA (or PIPA)?
) What should be done to take action on this subject?

Step 5:
Make sure that your paper and file have descriptive and appropriate titles, and that you have included your name and a works cited page.  Have a neighbor proofread your paper, to be sure it makes sense, and that you have not made any mistakes.  Add their name at the bottom like this: "Proofread by Mr. LaTorre"

Step 6:
Send the document attached to a professional email to teacherlatorre@gmail.com

EULA

-Using Microsoft Word, an internet browser, and Microsoft Outlook, complete the following assignment.

-Open and save a Word document using the class file saving guidelines.

-In the header, include your name, class, and a title.

-Answer these questions:

1. What is a EULA?
2. Who benefits from a EULA?
3. Why do companies need EULAs?
4. Bonus question! Why are EULAs so dang hard to read and understand?

-Choose one of the following EULAs to study:

Google Apps EULA (Difficulty = Hard)

Facebook EULA (Difficulty = Medium)

Apple (iTunes) EULA (Difficulty = Advanced)

Twitter TOS (Difficulty = Medium)


Tips for reading a EULA:

When reading a book, you read from the beginning to the end without skipping. Because there is so much complicated information in a EULA, you should use a different approach to avoid becoming overwhelmed.

First, scroll quickly over the whole document, reading the section headings only. Try to identify one or two section headings that you are interested in, or may already know something about. For example, "Registration and Account Security" may be more relevant to you than "Special Provisions Applicable to Developers/Operators of Applications and Websites" You can skip sections that you think may not apply to you, and just focus on particular sections.

Once you have decided on a section, just read the whole section first to try to get an overview. Don't get stuck on words you don't understand.

-After deciding on a EULA, choose three sections of the EULA to focus on. For each section, answer these questions:

1. How does this section apply to you?
2. Does reading this section change your future use of this product?
3. Why or why not?

-After completing your document, ask a classmate to proofread it, then type their name at the bottom, like this: "Proofread by Jim Fallor"

-Save, and attach to a professional email to teacherlatorre@gmail.com with the subject line "EULA"

Cyber Bullying Group Project Overview

In small groups (3 members), you will conduct a project to learn more about cyberbullying.  You may focus on causes, effects, history, culture, awareness, technology, or other aspects of cyberbullying.  The learning in this project will not be guided by the teacher - each group will need to be their own guide (I am available to help you when you need it, however).

Project goals:

• Collaborate using Google Documents and email.
• Discover more about cyber culture.

Project components:

• Proposal
• Action
• Presentation
• Works Cited
• Reflection

Grading:

• Each of the project components will be graded according to whether the group each individual follow instructions.
• Group members will assign each other collaboration grades
• Individuals will assign themselves an overall grade
• The teacher will assign an effort and participation grade

COPPA

COPPA Assignment

You discussed COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act) with your parents when you completed the Google account assignment last week.

Note that the Google account that your parents created for the assignment last week is theirs, and they are choosing to allow you to access that account.

Step 1:
-Open a Word document, and save using save procedures (YourNameCOPPA.doc)
-Create a Works Cited page in MLA format.

Step 2:
-Come up with at least two questions to answer about COPPA, and write them in your document.
-Add your title, name, and class to your paper in the header.

Step 3:
-Research COPPA using any resources you have, including the resources that Mrs. Doyle showed us.
-As you collect information about COPPA, add it to your research paper.  Be sure to add every source you use to your Works Cited page!

Step 4:
Once you have collected enough information to answer your two questions, write your answers in essay form at the top of your document.

Step 5:
Repeat steps 2 through 5 as many times as necessary.

Step 6:
-Proofread your document (Make sure it looks professional)
-Ask a classmate to proofread your document, and allow them to type their first and last name at the bottom of your document like this:

Proofread by: Their Name

Final Step (to be completed no earlier than the last ten minutes of class):
-Save your document (Ctrl + S)
-Attach your document to a professionally written email to teacherlatorre@gmail.com

Cyberbullying Reflection (Individual)

Your reflection should be written on a Word document then sent as an attachment to teacherlatorre@gmail.com.
Use the same format that your group used for the Proposal.
Please include:
-An appropriate file name
-Date
-To
-From
-What happened?
-Was this a success? Why or why not?
-Include a compliment to one of your group members for something they helped your group to accomplish.
-Finally, assign yourself, your group members, and your group over all a grade (A-D). Defend and explain your decision. It should look like this:

[example]:
Grade
Mr. LaTorre (me): A-
I worked hard but there was one day I was tired and did not help out as much.

Phillip Group guy: A+
Phillip did a ton of work, and even got some things done outside of class.

Gene Group guy: B-
Gene wanted to do another topic, and it took all day to get him to help. Eventually he was really good at doing research and adding it to our project.

Group Grade: A
We worked well together even though we had some disagreements. We learned a lot about cyberbullying, and were able to compile our facts into a presentation that made sence and was educational to others.

Online Identity Email Assignment

1) Create a draft message in your email program, with a subject heading of "Online Identity Questions".

2) In a professional email to teacherlatorre@gmail.com, answer the following questions:

-How is your personal information useful to people who know you personally?

-How is your personal information useful to people you meet in person for the first time?

-How is your personal information useful to people you meet through the internet?

-How is your personal information useful to companies?

3) Proofread your email and send.

What's My Grade? Microsoft Excel Assignment

Microsoft Excel is a very powerful tool. Like many powerful tools, it is also sometimes complicated. While this is an individual assignment, you may need to work with your neighbors if you get stuck. Asking a question in Google and using the Help menu are good, too!

-Open Microsoft Excel, and save your file using the class saving guidelines.

-As your header, add a Title (What's My Grade?), Name, and class.

-Across your first row, create some column headings: Assignment, Earned, Possible, Percentage


-Format your first row in Bold.

-Log in to EdLine, and record your assignment names in your first column under Assignment


-Enter in your earned credit for each assignment in the Earned column.

-Enter in the total possible points in the Possible column.

-Now format your Percentage column.

1. Right click on the letter above the column to highlight the entire column.
2. Select "Format"
3. Under the "Number" section, select "Percentage"
4. Click OK

-Now find the percentage earned for each assignment.

1. Select the top most cell in the percentage column that is in the same row as your top assignment.
2. Click the sum key. The sum key is represented by the greek letter Sigma:
3. Note that the automatic function of the sum key is to sum or add a string of numbers together. It probably looks something like this: =SUM(B2:C2). Excel guesses which numbers you want to add and highlights those cells. In this case Excel has probably chosen both the Earned and Possible points to add together. Unfortunately adding the two numbers together will not give us meaningful information so we need to...
4. Edit the function. We find the percentage of a number by dividing. So you convert this sentence: "I earned 6 out of 10 points for First Assignment" to a function like so: 6/10.
5. But what if we resubmit the assignment for more credit? We want to be able to enter in the new number in the correct box and have the percentage represent the new number. So change the function in your selected box to =SUM(B2/C2), then press enter.
6. You should now see the percentage in the box you edited!
7. Okay, how about the other assignments percentages? Do I have to redo the same process for every assignment? No, you don't!
8. Hover your mouse cursor over the lower right corner of the cell you just added the function to.
9. Your cursor should turn to a solid black cross.
10. If you drag the cross down and release, it will copy the function to every cell you highlight.

-Okay time for your totals. Use the Sum function to total up your Earned, Possible, and Percentages columns with separate totals.

-Download my template to see what your file should look like.

-If your document looks like mine (including functions!), you may save, then attach to a professional email to teacherlatorre@gmail.com No earlier than the last 10 minutes of class!*. If you finish the minimum requirements before the last ten minutes, add a sheet to your document and repeat the process for all of your classes.

*Note that this only applies to the day that this assignment was assigned.

Lemonade Stand - Project Overview

In this project you will create your own business that sells a product. You will be using Microsoft Excel, Google Docs, and Google Maps.

You will complete the following assignments for this project:

1. Creating a business - following your passion
2. Comparison study - who has sold this product before, and how will you do better?
3. Finding a market - where will your business be located?
4. Tracking income and expenses
5. Advertising
6. Presentation - going public

Grading your project:

• Each individual assignment will be graded on whether the directions are followed. For most portions, this will involve the Sum key in Excel, so now would be a good idea to review your work with the Sum key in the "What's My Grade?" assignment.
• A portion of your project grade will be based on the outcome of the following:
1. Your classmates will be given a certain amount of money to spend
2. You will need to convince them in a presentation why your product is the best to buy
3. Your classmates will either choose your product or someone else's!
1. Note: if no one buys your product, the lowest you can get is a C on that portion of the project.

For reference, this is what my Business Plan looks like.

Lemonade Stand - Creating a Business

Now that you have done the research of what you will sell, where you will sell it, and how much it will cost to operate, you will need to convince investors to give you money to start your company.

You will have two minutes to give a presentation to your classmates. How you spend these two minutes is entirely up to you, but keep in mind that your classmates will be making a decision of what to do with their money based on how well you have planned out your business. People don't like to invest in businesses that don't have a good plan!

Another portion of what will make a convincing presentation is if you already have an advertisement for your product. Like I mentioned, there are no requirements for the two minute presentation, but I believe that having an advertisement for your product will help you attract investors.
I know what you are thinking: "But wait! How will I be graded on this assignment?" Answer: I will not be grading the actual presentations.

How you will earn your grade:
Your classmates will be given a sum of money to invest in a limited number of companies. Your grade will be based on whether you convince enough of your fellow students to invest in your company, and the investments you collect are more than your expenses.

Lemonade Stand - Using Excel to Calculate Your Expenses

If you have not already, download my Business Plan to see what your formating should look like.

In your Business Plan Excel document, rename Sheet 3 to "Expenses"

• In column A, enter the following (the parenthesis tell you which cell to enter the text in):
• Employee #1 (cell # A2)
• Employee #2 (A3)
• Rent (A4)
• 10 [product you are selling] to stock (A5)
• Leave row 6 blank
• Total Expenses (A7)

• In row 1, enter the following headings:
• Hourly (B1)
• Weekly (B2)
• Monthly (B3)
• Yearly (B4)

• First expense: employees
• You will have two full time employees
• Check my Business Plan to see where you should enter the information.
• Find out what the minimum wage is in your selected location.
• I Googled "Boulder CO minimum wage"
• The first hit was a news article from 2010 that had the minimum wage ($7.24) in the title, but I wanted to confirm with a government source.
• The sixth hit was from colorado.gov, so I knew it was a government site that would probably have current information.
• I clicked on the link and confirmed that the current minimum wage in Boulder is $7.65. It's a good thing I double checked the government website!
• Notice that I entered in the minimum wage in the Hourly column on the row labeled with my two employees.
• Use the Sum function to automatically calculate the weekly wage of an employee by multiplying the hourly wage by 40. The average work week is 40 hours.
• This is the formula you should use to multiply a cell by 40:
• =SUM(B2*40)
• Use the Sum function to automatically calculate the monthly and yearly salaries of your employees.

• Second expense: rent
• Determine how much space your product needs
• 100 sq. ft - Small (Beads, Comic Books) $500/month
• 1000 sq. ft - Medium (Blenders, Baseball Gloves) $5,000/month
• 5000 sq. ft - Large (Cars, Furniture) $25,000/month
• I think I will be able to fit enough bikes in to a medium space, so will enter my monthly rent as $5,000/month.
• Notice that I used the sum function key to automatically calculate the yearly amount. This will be useful later if I need to move into a larger space.

• Third expense: products
• You can't open a store with zero products in it, can you?
• In Step 3 of the last post, we calculated the cost of our products. The average price of a mountain bike in Boulder is $2,399.20, so the cost is half that at $1,199.60.
• Add the price and cost of your product to your expenses sheet.
• I put mine in cell D9 and D10.
• As a one time expense, let's buy 10 products to fill our shelves.
• Remember, it's best to use the Sum key to automatically calculate formulas in Excel.
• Use this formula to automatically calculate the cost of 10 products:
• =SUM(D10*10)

• Total your expenses using the Sum key. When selecting which cells to sum, be sure you have the correct cell selected!
• Explore my document to be sure yours looks like mine.

• Ask a neighbor to glance over your expenses, and ask if your Expenses sheet matches Mr. LaTorre's.

• Add your Total Yearly expenses to the Lemonade Stand Project Spreadsheet.

• Once you have completed your expenses sheet, you may email your assignment to Mr. LaTorre using proper email etiquette.