Hot Topics In TechnologyHot Topics In Technology

Mississippi State UniversityMississippi State UniversityTyna AdamsTyna Adams

Leigh Ann HusseyLeigh Ann Hussey

Carolyn LangCarolyn Lang

Dorothea MackDorothea Mack

In the field of Student Affairs, it is important In the field of Student Affairs, it is important to strive to continually identify and address to strive to continually identify and address the ever changing needs of students. The the ever changing needs of students. The committee has identified five hot topics in committee has identified five hot topics in

technology that, when addressed properly, technology that, when addressed properly, will allow for student affairs practitioners to will allow for student affairs practitioners to

provide a safe and educational provide a safe and educational environment for students. environment for students.

Hot Topics in TechnologyHot Topics in Technology

Virtual WorldsVirtual WorldsPodcastingPodcastingCampus Internet SecurityCampus Internet SecurityBloggingBlogging Institutional SpamInstitutional Spam

Virtual WorldsVirtual Worlds

This topic was chosen because the virtual This topic was chosen because the virtual reality gaming environment is now being reality gaming environment is now being used as a tool for teaching. These virtual used as a tool for teaching. These virtual worlds provide a unique and flexible worlds provide a unique and flexible environment for educators interested in environment for educators interested in distance learning, computer supported distance learning, computer supported cooperative work, simulation, new media cooperative work, simulation, new media studies, and corporate training.studies, and corporate training.

Virtual RealityVirtual Reality

Not mainstream yet but will be, “early adopters” Not mainstream yet but will be, “early adopters” have already begun using it. have already begun using it.

Fully 3 dimensional virtual world where students Fully 3 dimensional virtual world where students can fly, change body types at will, and build can fly, change body types at will, and build structures that can float. structures that can float.

Multiplayer online game that enables students to Multiplayer online game that enables students to create nearly anything imaginable. create nearly anything imaginable.

Open ended virtual world with a developed Open ended virtual world with a developed economy, neighborhoods and communities, with economy, neighborhoods and communities, with all manner of vehicles. all manner of vehicles.

Virtual WorldsVirtual Worlds

Virtual worlds offer an opportunity for people to Virtual worlds offer an opportunity for people to interact in a way that conveys a sense of interact in a way that conveys a sense of presence lacking in other media. presence lacking in other media.

Settings can be created to pertain to any subject Settings can be created to pertain to any subject or area of study; locations and artifacts can be or area of study; locations and artifacts can be as realistic and detailed, or as generic and as realistic and detailed, or as generic and undefined as desired. undefined as desired.

Social aspects of virtual worlds lend themselves Social aspects of virtual worlds lend themselves to role playing and scenario building. to role playing and scenario building.

Second Life provides an opportunity to use simulation in a safe environment to Second Life provides an opportunity to use simulation in a safe environment to enhance experiential learning, allowing individuals to practice skills, try new enhance experiential learning, allowing individuals to practice skills, try new

ideas, and learn from their mistakes. ideas, and learn from their mistakes.

Benefits to using Virtual Worlds in Benefits to using Virtual Worlds in TeachingTeaching

Ideal environment for students, the focus is Ideal environment for students, the focus is experience, the virtual experience is shared, like experience, the virtual experience is shared, like the classroom experience.the classroom experience.

Games can be applied in many learning contexts Games can be applied in many learning contexts They engage learners in ways that other tools They engage learners in ways that other tools and approaches cannot. And their value for and approaches cannot. And their value for learning has been established through decades learning has been established through decades of research. of research.

Games offer opportunities for discovery based Games offer opportunities for discovery based and goal oriented learning. The game teaches and goal oriented learning. The game teaches more than the controls required to move through more than the controls required to move through the world. the world.

Problems associated with Virtual Problems associated with Virtual WorldsWorlds

The virtual world can become less virtual The virtual world can become less virtual and more reality for some.and more reality for some.

People will become addicted to using People will become addicted to using virtual worlds and will become isolated virtual worlds and will become isolated where the only social contact they may where the only social contact they may have is within the virtual worldhave is within the virtual world

Costs associated with using virtual worlds Costs associated with using virtual worlds in the classroom. in the classroom.

PODCASTINGPODCASTING Podcasting is a method of Podcasting is a method of

publishing audio and video files publishing audio and video files to the internet. to the internet.

This allows users to subscribe This allows users to subscribe to a feed and receive new files to a feed and receive new files

automatically by subscription.automatically by subscription.

Through podcasting you can Through podcasting you can download audio files that can download audio files that can be listened via the computer, be listened via the computer, iTunes, iPod, MP3 player, or iTunes, iPod, MP3 player, or AAC (Apple iTunes format). AAC (Apple iTunes format).

Research Says…Research Says…

In November of 2004, Podcast Alley, a In November of 2004, Podcast Alley, a podcast directory website, listed fewer podcast directory website, listed fewer than 1,000 podcasts for download. Today than 1,000 podcasts for download. Today Podcast Alley catalogs more than 26,000 Podcast Alley catalogs more than 26,000 different podcasts, totaling more than 1 different podcasts, totaling more than 1 million episodes.million episodes.

Research says…Research says…

Internet is a big tool used to communicate with adults.

87% of teens 12 to 17 use the internet

51% are on-line daily

43% have bought items on-line

45% own a cell phone

16% of all teens report they do not have any media devices-computers, cell phone, PDA, etc.

MSU Technology BoostMSU Technology Boost Information Technology services participated in a Information Technology services participated in a

webconference to aid in the introduction of podcasting in webconference to aid in the introduction of podcasting in the classrooms at Mississippi State Universitythe classrooms at Mississippi State University

An instructor used a voice recorder, the file was An instructor used a voice recorder, the file was uploaded to a PC, it had to be encoded to a uploaded to a PC, it had to be encoded to a “podcastable format, add metadatafile information, “podcastable format, add metadatafile information, upload the file to the server, and update the webpage or upload the file to the server, and update the webpage or html/xmlcode. html/xmlcode.

Faculty members wore over the ear microphones that Faculty members wore over the ear microphones that were wireless connected to the recorder. were wireless connected to the recorder.

A faculty member registered his class then recorded the A faculty member registered his class then recorded the episode. Shortly after recording the episode, it was episode. Shortly after recording the episode, it was available for students to listen. available for students to listen.

Student Affairs at other InstitutionsStudent Affairs at other Institutions

Georgia Tech-Career PodcastingGeorgia Tech-Career PodcastingNorth Carolina State University-The North Carolina State University-The

Career AmbassadorsCareer AmbassadorsOhio State University-Ask the TechiesOhio State University-Ask the TechiesUniversity of Connectict’s Waterbury University of Connectict’s Waterbury

Campus-Video Podcasting Campus-Video Podcasting

Reasons for Student Affairs Reasons for Student Affairs PodcastingPodcasting

Learning Styles-using audio and video Learning Styles-using audio and video Training-aid in a new avenue for training Training-aid in a new avenue for training

professional and student staff.professional and student staff.Students are using technology-student Students are using technology-student

affairs staff can related better to students. affairs staff can related better to students. They are always looking for new ways to They are always looking for new ways to interact with students. interact with students.

Handheld DevicesHandheld Devices

Portable ElectronicsPortable Electronics Pocket PC and Palm Pocket PC and Palm

PilotPilot Cell PhoneCell Phone BlackBerryBlackBerry GPS UnitsGPS Units

Potential Uses in Potential Uses in Student AffairsStudent Affairs Text MessagingText Messaging Mobile Incident Mobile Incident

ReportingReporting Mobile Check-in and Mobile Check-in and

Check-out Check-out

Campus Internet SecurityCampus Internet Security

What is Campus Internet Security?What is Campus Internet Security?

Management of passwordsManagement of passwordsFirewalls, proxies, user access controlsFirewalls, proxies, user access controlsNetwork monitoring and bandwidth Network monitoring and bandwidth

managementmanagementVulnerability scanning and Managed Vulnerability scanning and Managed

Security Systems Security Systems

A Few Reasons to have Campus A Few Reasons to have Campus Internet SecurityInternet Security

Credit card #’sCredit card #’sStudent Records (SSN)Student Records (SSN) Institution financial recordsInstitution financial recordsDonor RecordsDonor RecordsResearch DataResearch Data

Challenges to having a Secure Challenges to having a Secure Campus InternetCampus Internet

Culture and Tradition of open and free Culture and Tradition of open and free networkingnetworking

Lack of control over usersLack of control over usersFinancial ResourcesFinancial Resources IT has not always been central to IT has not always been central to

institutional missioninstitutional mission

BloggingBlogging A A blogblog is a user-generated website where entries are made in is a user-generated website where entries are made in

journal style and displayed in a reverse chronological order.journal style and displayed in a reverse chronological order. Blogs often provide commentary or news on a particular subject, Blogs often provide commentary or news on a particular subject,

such as food, politics, or local news; some function as more such as food, politics, or local news; some function as more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic. links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic. The ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format is The ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of most early blogs. Most blogs are primarily an important part of most early blogs. Most blogs are primarily textual although some focus on photographs (photoblog), textual although some focus on photographs (photoblog), sketchblog, videos (vlog), or audio (podcasting), and are part of a sketchblog, videos (vlog), or audio (podcasting), and are part of a wider network of social media.wider network of social media.

The term "blog" is derived from "The term "blog" is derived from "Web logWeb log." "Blog" can also be used ." "Blog" can also be used as a verb, meaning as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blogto maintain or add content to a blog

History of BlogsHistory of Blogs

Chronicles, commonplaces, diaries, and Chronicles, commonplaces, diaries, and perzines can all be seen as predecessors of perzines can all be seen as predecessors of blogs.blogs.

Before blogging became popular, digital Before blogging became popular, digital communities took many forms, including Usenet, communities took many forms, including Usenet, e-mail lists and bulletin board systems (BBS). In e-mail lists and bulletin board systems (BBS). In the 1990s, Internet forum software, such as the 1990s, Internet forum software, such as WebEx, created running conversations with WebEx, created running conversations with "threads". Threads are topical connections "threads". Threads are topical connections between messages on a metaphorical between messages on a metaphorical "corkboard"."corkboard".

Types of BlogsTypes of Blogs By media type By media type

A blog comprising videos is called a vlog, one comprising links is called a linklog, a site A blog comprising videos is called a vlog, one comprising links is called a linklog, a site containing a portfolio of sketches is called a sketchblog or one comprising photos is called a containing a portfolio of sketches is called a sketchblog or one comprising photos is called a photoblog. photoblog.

By device By device Blogs can also be defined by which type of device is used to compose it. A blog written by a Blogs can also be defined by which type of device is used to compose it. A blog written by a

mobile device like a mobile phone or PDA is called a moblog. mobile device like a mobile phone or PDA is called a moblog. GenreGenre

Some blogs focus on a particular subject, such as political blogs, travel blogs, fashion blogs, Some blogs focus on a particular subject, such as political blogs, travel blogs, fashion blogs, project blogs or legal blogs (often referred to as a blawgs). project blogs or legal blogs (often referred to as a blawgs).

Legal status of publishers Legal status of publishers A blog can be private, as in most cases, or it can be for business purposes. Blogs, either A blog can be private, as in most cases, or it can be for business purposes. Blogs, either

used internally to enhance the communication and culture in a corporation or externally for used internally to enhance the communication and culture in a corporation or externally for marketing, branding or PR purposes are called corporate blogs. marketing, branding or PR purposes are called corporate blogs.

Blog search engines Blog search engines Several blog search engines are used to search blog contents (also known as the Several blog search engines are used to search blog contents (also known as the

blogosphere), such as blogdigger, Feedster, and Technorati. Technorati provides current blogosphere), such as blogdigger, Feedster, and Technorati. Technorati provides current information on both popular searches and tags used to categorize blog postings.information on both popular searches and tags used to categorize blog postings.

Where can I blog?Where can I blog?

FacebookFacebookXangaXangaMyspaceMyspaceGoogleGoogleBlogger.com-create your own blogBlogger.com-create your own blog

Legal IssuesLegal Issuesof Blogsof Blogs

The emergence of blogging has brought a range of legal The emergence of blogging has brought a range of legal liabilities. Employers have "dooced" (fired) employees liabilities. Employers have "dooced" (fired) employees who maintain personal blogs that discuss their who maintain personal blogs that discuss their employers. The major areas of concern are the issues of employers. The major areas of concern are the issues of proprietary or confidential information, and defamation. proprietary or confidential information, and defamation. Several cases have been brought before the national Several cases have been brought before the national courts against bloggers and the courts have returned courts against bloggers and the courts have returned with mixed verdicts. with mixed verdicts.

Court CasesCourt Cases Ellen Simonetti- flight attendant lost her job after posting pictures of her in Ellen Simonetti- flight attendant lost her job after posting pictures of her in

uniform that had more cleavage showing than ordinary. She took legal uniform that had more cleavage showing than ordinary. She took legal action against the airline claiming loss of future wages, wrongful termination, action against the airline claiming loss of future wages, wrongful termination, and defamation of character.and defamation of character.

Aaron Wall- was sued by Traffic Power for defamation and publication of Aaron Wall- was sued by Traffic Power for defamation and publication of trade secrets in 2005.trade secrets in 2005.

Mark Cuban- owner of Dallas Mavericks was fined during 2006 NBA Mark Cuban- owner of Dallas Mavericks was fined during 2006 NBA playoffs because he criticized NBA officials on the court and in his blog.playoffs because he criticized NBA officials on the court and in his blog.

Institutional SpamInstitutional Spam

Spamming is the “abuse of electronic Spamming is the “abuse of electronic messaging systems that are used to send messaging systems that are used to send unsolicited bulk messages”unsolicited bulk messages”

It is estimated that Spam has increased It is estimated that Spam has increased from 10% of all electronic messaging in from 10% of all electronic messaging in 1998 to approximately 80%1998 to approximately 80%

Mississippi State University Mississippi State University StatisticsStatistics

MSU anti-spam and anti-virus e-mail filters MSU anti-spam and anti-virus e-mail filters stopped an average of 9,200 messages stopped an average of 9,200 messages infected with worms or viruses each day infected with worms or viruses each day over the past year.over the past year.

The same filters blocked or tagged The same filters blocked or tagged 155,000 spam messages.155,000 spam messages.

Benefits of Addressing SpamBenefits of Addressing Spam

Distinguish good e-mail from SpamDistinguish good e-mail from SpamBecome more effective and consistent Become more effective and consistent

with blocking Spamwith blocking Spam Increase security of the University networkIncrease security of the University network Increase student satisfaction with the Increase student satisfaction with the

University e-mail systemUniversity e-mail system

Problems Surrounding SpamProblems Surrounding Spam

It is difficult to adapt a policy addressing It is difficult to adapt a policy addressing such an ever changing issue such as such an ever changing issue such as Spam.Spam.

Students must be proactive when dealing Students must be proactive when dealing with Spam.with Spam.

Many people do not understand the Many people do not understand the source nor repercussions of Spam.source nor repercussions of Spam.

ReferencesReferences

http://www.eff.org/bloggers/lg/http://www.eff.org/bloggers/lg/ http://en.wikipedia.org/http://en.wikipedia.org/ Wired News: Campus life Wired News: Campus life

comes to Second life comes to Second life Retrieved from Retrieved from http://www.wired.com/news/gahttp://www.wired.com/news/games/1,65052-0.html on 2/6/07.mes/1,65052-0.html on 2/6/07.

The 2007 Horizon Report a The 2007 Horizon Report a collaboration between the New collaboration between the New Media Consortium and Media Consortium and EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative ISBN 0-9765087-4-5ISBN 0-9765087-4-5

http://secondlife.com/http://secondlife.com/ http://www.there.com/http://www.there.com/ http://www.activeworlds.com/http://www.activeworlds.com/ http://www.educause.edu/http://www.educause.edu/

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcastingen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcasting http://web.archive.org/web/http://web.archive.org/web/

20041111235835/20041111235835/podcastalley.com/podcastalley.com/list_all_podcasts.phplist_all_podcasts.php..

http://http://www.podcastingalley.comwww.podcastingalley.com

http://www.studentaffairs.comhttp://www.studentaffairs.com http://http://

www.career.gatech.edu/www.career.gatech.edu/podcast/podcast/

http://www.pewinternet.orghttp://www.pewinternet.org