Being Safe While Using Devices

Hello!
This week I have learned about safely communicating on digital devices. Safely communicating can go from not texting or calling while driving, to sending out appropriate pictures. Anything you send out on the internet or though text or any other devices can be viewed by anyone. Even once you delete the post, it can still be viewed. Many teenagers are the ones who violate the statement, and they do pay for it in the end.
Texting while driving is a very serious issue, especially with teenagers. Texting while driving is very distracting thing to do while driving. By doing this, you can injure yourself and also injure those around you. You pay less attention to the road, which can cause much harm. If you kill someone, you will face manslaughter charges. It is a serious offensive. You can learn about how this teenage girl received five years after killing a man on a motorcycle. http://www.ddfn.org/texting-driving-can-prison/
Eleven Facts about teens texting while driving are (http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-teen-driving):

1. 33 percent of deaths among 13 to 19-year-olds in 2010 occurred in motor vehicle crashes.
2. 16-year-olds have higher crash rates than drivers of any other age.
3. 56 percent of teens said they talk on the phone while driving.
4. Statistics show that 16 and 17-year-old driver death rates increase with each additional passenger.
5. Only 44 percent of teens said they would definitely speak up if someone were driving in a way that scared them.
6. Teen drivers with involved parents are twice as likely to wear seat belts.
7. More than 40 percent of teen auto deaths occur between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
8. Talking on a cell phone can double the likelihood of an accident as well as slow a young driver’s reaction time down to that of a 70-year-old.
9. In their first year of driving 1 in 5 16-year-old drivers has an accident.
10. 56 percent of teenagers  rely on their parents to learn how to drive.
11. Crash risk for teens increase incrementally with each mile per hour over the speed limit
1. There are more risks of teens using texting or videos inappropriately. Many teens think they are sending a picture to one person, but it may end up on many people's phones. Even if you trust the person you are sending a picture to, it is not a good idea. You never know what they will do. They may show it off to their friends, or save it for black mail. You never can know what a person will do, or what they are really like. Every time you send or post anything, always think if it could hurt anyone, or even yourself. Many people may pose a problem, and you may have just not realized it yet. People can be evil, and you may not know until they start acting like it. Never trust a person with something that can get you in trouble, especially if it is in writing or on video. Many people do stupid actions for their friends, and they will learn to regret it later in life. 

Computers

Hello! This week I learned about computers. I have learned about RAM, which stands for Random Access Memory, choosing the right computer, and software. RAM is a type of memory on the computer than can be accessed at any time. Also I learned about choosing the right computer, and all the perks that go along with computers.
When buying a computer, you want to make a list of all the reasons you want it. When going to the store, ask a representative what computer would be best for you. You either want a desktop, or a portable computer like a tablet or a laptop. Many people prefer a laptop, because of its mobility, and light weight. A desktop is a good choice if you are looking for a computer just to keep at home. A table is very mobile, fitting in most bags, but never very useful for work purposes. Are you wondering which one to buy? This website may help: http://www.dell.com/learn/us/en/04/consumer/what-should-i-buy-laptop-desktop-mobile
Software is also a very important perk. Software is word processing, editing material, and other applications. It may be expensive, but is needed. You should replace software every few years to keep up to date. Also, whenever an update is available, you need to do it to keep your computer up to speed.
Technology is constantly changing, especially in computers. Computers have been improving since they were invented, in the 1930's. Computer's first took up entire rooms, but have become smaller. Recently they have become touch screen, also known as tables. Modern laptops can be extremely thing, amounting to centimeters thick. Many companies have been competing to improve laptops faster, such as a company named Apple. They have iPad's, Macbooks, and Desktops. For example, the Macbook Air is laptop with faster software, and better features then most laptops. The Macbook Air weighs in at 2.38 pounds and is 0.68 inches thick. (http://www.apple.com/macbook-air/).
As time continues forward, so does technology. I look to see computers that project an image than can be operated by touching the projection. I would definitely buy a computer like that, and I'm sure many others would too. Also, Google has created a cool device called ¨Google Glass¨ that is very futuristic. Google Glass is glasses that can video tape, tell time, watch videos, show directions, surf the internet, and translate your voice. You simply put them on, the say a command. They can be brought anywhere. To get you must be 18 years old, a US resident, and have a valid ID. They cost approximately $1,500. To get involved you must sign up. To learn more go to: http://www.google.com/glass/start/
In the coming years, I think computers will be able to fold up into a smaller size. When you finish using the computer, you may push a button, and it will fold up. It may go from large sizes into a smaller, more compact box shape. I have seen this before in movies, and think it would be cool to have one. It is ultra-portable, and may still contain the perks as another computer of your choice.

The Importance of Digital Literacy

Hello! This week I have learned about digital literacy. Digital literacy is your individual ability to navigate and create information digitally.  If you are very digitally literate, then you are considered to be a digital citizen. I am still in my first week of knowing what this skill is, but there are several objectives I would like to get out of the course. I would like to know how to create music on the internet, and learn how to create software. A really cool thing that I would like to learn is how to make an application and upload it on the Android Market and the App Store. I always have liked apps, owning an iPhone myself, but have never got around to buy an app I really like, and that interests me. I would not do this to make money, but to satisfy those around me with the same problem that I have.
I recently read an article about a homeless man and a business man that created an app together. The homeless man was taught to code, and create an application. There is also a video to go with the article: (http://www.businessinsider.com/homeless-coder-2013-9)  The business man gave the homeless man two options, either the business man would give the homeless man $100, or he would teach the homeless man to code. All the work done, was done on a Chromebook.
A friend of mine made a song, using the internet. The song is strictly instrumental. The song is on iTunes and is called Northport. Every part of making this song consisted of the knowledge of digital literacy. He had to pick the editing software, compose the song, edit the song, and upload it to iTunes. All the skills needed to do this could not be possible without digital literacy.
I found an interesting article about digital literacy that tells about the safety of the internet. This website informs one about the online dangers and how to prevent one's kids, or oneself from them. The like for this website is: (http://www.themoreyouknow.com/growing-up-online-read-now/)        This source is a simple online book, consisting of two parts and 17 sections about digital literacy.
I think digital literacy is a very important skill in today's daily life. Everything is become digital, including novels and text books. Navigating the internet and creating simple word documents is becoming more and more complicated, especially to those who are not adapt to any electronics. Everyday life consists of going on and navigating an electronic, whether you are at a job, or school. Digital literacy makes everyday tasks easier and saves you the frustration created by unfamiliarity. Now that I am at PC, I cannot enjoy snow days, because of the internet. All the missed work is handed to us digitally, whether it is through a word document, or edline. Once given the work, teachers can see whether the assignment is completed.
I think digital literacy is very important for everyone because of how fast technology is growing and how prominent it is in our daily life.