For the next two weeks we will consider the ways we construct and engage with 'virtual' places and consider how technology challenges what it means to be human. In part, this is the world of screens that started with movies and TV but has now includes social media, ubiquitous video, gaming, and online places like Second Life. Certainly it includes the junior benches with everyone side by side but face to screen. To frame this as a few questions- What attracts us to these worlds? How do they change us as individuals or a society? Do they make us more or less 'human'? Are we inventing a new virtual world and will you want to live there? ALL of this is due January 24th. On that date, I'll assign the inquiry paper which will be available on the assignment tab soon. The discussion leader expectations are under the assignment tab.
Note!! While I'm giving you two week windows, you DO need to be prepared for conversations on the following texts on these dates. Videos for #1- 1/15, Wall-E screening/discussion 1/17, David Carr article 1/22, The Circle 1/24
(Wall-E discussion leaders-Mary/Jared 7th & Mick/Chloe 8th)
1. We'll start with a more videos. Be prepared to discuss these on Wednesday. (discussion leaders are Jacob/Yusra 7th & Chris/Charlie 8th)
4. Read these excerpts Part 1 & 2 Part 3 from The Circle by David Eggers. This brand new novel imagines a near future world in a place much like the Googleplex where Facebook, Google, and Microsoft have merged into one all encompassing tech/social media monopoly. Mae is a new employee who learns her way around this brave new world.
5. Write a blog post responding to the videos and our conversation about them. Focus on any idea or image that appeals to you, then develop and compare/contrast it to outside examples. All blog posts should include an effective title, at least one image (screen capture works well), thoughtful, edited, personal writing, and often links/connections to outside information. They should be about 400-600 words You may also write about one or more of these other videos if you choose.
“Thursday” “Inbox” "Gumdrop" or "Trueskin"
Note!! While I'm giving you two week windows, you DO need to be prepared for conversations on the following texts on these dates. Videos for #1- 1/15, Wall-E screening/discussion 1/17, David Carr article 1/22, The Circle 1/24
(Wall-E discussion leaders-Mary/Jared 7th & Mick/Chloe 8th)
1. We'll start with a more videos. Be prepared to discuss these on Wednesday. (discussion leaders are Jacob/Yusra 7th & Chris/Charlie 8th)
- How does each represent daily life?
- How does each represent technology?
- What is the role/purpose of romance/attraction?
"Bendito Machine III"
"Sight" Compare that to the Googleglass promotional video Yusra & Jacob found!
"They're made out of meat"
"World Builder"
And here's one more called "Robbie" that parallels the movie Wall-E.
2.Create a blog w/ a gmail account (You can't use the SPA account- sorry) on blogger and send me the url to I can link it to this blog. Please use part of your name in the title so it's vaguely identifiable.
3. Read the David Carr article "Is Google Making Us Stupid" (Sela/Charlie 7th & Alex & Tyler 8th)
"Sight" Compare that to the Googleglass promotional video Yusra & Jacob found!
"They're made out of meat"
"World Builder"
And here's one more called "Robbie" that parallels the movie Wall-E.
2.Create a blog w/ a gmail account (You can't use the SPA account- sorry) on blogger and send me the url to I can link it to this blog. Please use part of your name in the title so it's vaguely identifiable.
3. Read the David Carr article "Is Google Making Us Stupid" (Sela/Charlie 7th & Alex & Tyler 8th)
4. Read these excerpts Part 1 & 2 Part 3 from The Circle by David Eggers. This brand new novel imagines a near future world in a place much like the Googleplex where Facebook, Google, and Microsoft have merged into one all encompassing tech/social media monopoly. Mae is a new employee who learns her way around this brave new world.
5. Write a blog post responding to the videos and our conversation about them. Focus on any idea or image that appeals to you, then develop and compare/contrast it to outside examples. All blog posts should include an effective title, at least one image (screen capture works well), thoughtful, edited, personal writing, and often links/connections to outside information. They should be about 400-600 words You may also write about one or more of these other videos if you choose.
“Thursday” “Inbox” "Gumdrop" or "Trueskin"
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