Solution outlined. The ‘security feature’ has not been explained.
This solution would dramatically decrease the cost of computer infrastructure needed to sort through the raw data as much fewer ISP computers are needed. This effectively eliminates the problem of cost and still successfully monitors and raises warnings, as before, and it does not limit the user, ISP or Government.
Partial evaluation - but solution is only outlined.
Another solution would be to offset the ISP’s cost by obtaining government and corporate sponsorship so as to pay for the additional processing computers. Commercial grants could be obtained in exchange for small, unobtrusive advertising banners. These banners would pop up onto the screen when the user is surfing the Net so as to pay for the data interception processing mainframes.
There is a limited description of the second solution.
Summary of this criterion: 1st solution is outlined and partly evaluated; second solution is described.
Word Count: 996
Bibliography
Mackenzie, Kate 2002, Data-spying deal between police, ISPs,
Commonwealth of Australia, “Consumer guidelines”,
Margaret Kane, May 29, 2002 “FBI: Cybercrime is now a ‘top 10 priority’”
Stuart Millar, November 7, 2001 “Police get sweeping access to data”,
NSW Police, 2002, “2002 Computer Crime and Security Survey”
NEWS ITEM - EXTRACT
LAW enforcement agencies are developing interception agreements with large
ISPs, as the Federal Government prepares to introduce new laws on data
spying.
Investigations by The Australian IT have revealed agreements on data
surveillance are being developed between large ISPs and organisations such
as ASIO, the Australian Federal Police, and state crime authorities.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government is preparing legislation that will
increase the obligations of ISPs to help criminal investigations.
ISPs are already obliged to provide information to assist federal and state
law enforcement agencies when a warrant is issued. But some agencies have
voiced concerns that a lack of understanding of technical specifications,
charging and data delivery are frustrating attempts by police to gain
information.
According to sources within the ISP industry, who did not wish to be named,
various law-enforcement agencies were working directly with large ISPs to
formalise the storage and delivery of data, particularly real-time
communications of suspected individuals.
New capabilities, such as the ability to replicate in real time all data
transmitted by a suspect's modem, were being developed, the sources said.
International Baccalaureate
Information Technology in a Global Society
Portfolio
What are the effects of laptops on education?
(Education)
November 2003
Student No. 1
XY International School
News Item:
Belanger, Yvonne, 2000, "Laptop Computers in the K-12 Classroom." [14 June 2003]
Presentation of the Issue
Some studies claim that laptops are linked with increased student motivation, improved class attendance, and a "sustained level of academic achievement" (Belanger, 2000). However, negative aspects can also be raised, for example, that laptops prevent students from concentrating on their school work, and degrade learning (Borja, 2000). Not all students can afford laptops to buy a laptop for school, so their introduction has also raised the issue of equality and financial discrimination (Corcoran, 2002). Has contrasted differing researchers’ views, so is going beyond simple "description".
Laptops at schools have also an extended social impact on global equity, by helping to bridge the digital divide in third world countries (Lent, 2003). The donation of laptops to underprivileged schools around the world not only aids underprivileged students during school hours, but also allows students to bring their mobile computers home to their parents, slowly and comfortably exposing the wider disadvantaged community to the prospects of technology.
Has taken this further by looking at a social issue, and then explained its importance.
IT Background of the Issue
Laptop usage in U.S. schools increased by 43% in the 2001-2002 school year (Suryaraman, 2002). Last year, 15% of school districts in America were participating in a laptop initiative (Corcoran, 2002). Although desktop computers far outnumber laptops in the school environment, an increasing trend in laptop usage at school has become clear: “The direction we're moving is absolutely away from PC labs'' (Suryaraman, 2002). As more and more educational tasks require, or are enhanced by technology, it is predicted to be only a matter of time before a personal computer at school becomes essential as pen and paper (Suryaraman, 2002). Clear trends have been explained.
The laptop is small and light enough to be easily carried between classes, and home, by hand. The laptop has become possible with the development of thin LCD monitors, long life batteries, and low heat processors. Stronger built, cost effective models of laptops have been produced specifically for students, such as the I-book or the StudyPro (Belanger, 2002).
Developments have been explained.
Now, with wireless network cards, laptops can share file storage between teachers and students, internet access, and printing facilities, making them as effective as a desktop computer, and more flexible.
Some concepts in paragraph 2 and more above. The concepts are only described.
The Impact of the Issue
The use of laptops at school has been claimed to "improve the speed, quality and depth of their work" (Beck, 2002) and to be responsible for a “significant increase on standardized tests” (Learning with Laptops, 2000). Education studies report that these improvements are due to an improved attitude towards learning, as laptops encourage a fun, hands-on approach to education (Belanger, 2002). Positives explained.
Also, disabled or struggling students are benefited by the flexibility of owning and maintaining their own personal laptop. Students with particular areas of individual need can install their choice of programmes that will help them learn more in a school day. For example, a program called Co-Writer can help dyslexic student who are struggling with spelling (Ansary, 2002). Positives explained.
On the other hand, the added mobility and flexibility of laptops have allowed students to become more easily distracted from the focus of education (Borja, 2002). Misuse of technology at school, such as file swapping, pornography, and instant messaging have become more prevalent at schools with the introduction of student laptops.
Negatives explained.
Education has a great affect on a student’s future life, and job opportunities, so the affect of laptops on education quality is an issue of the upmost importance. Weighing up, the motivational benefits outweigh the prospect of added distractions, as such distractions are solvable by teachers enforcing policies at the school. Evaluation.
Lawrence Hardy claims laptops cause economic discrimination against students of lower socio-economical backgrounds, who would not be able to afford to buy their own laptop for school (Hardy, 1999). However, subsidised leasing programmes have made the financial burden to parents more affordable (Hardy, 1999). Resultantly students from all socioeconomic backgrounds will have similar opportunities to use technology both at school and home. Explanation and analysis.
The issue of educational benefit is more important than the financial issue. While the negative issue of financial will lessen in the near future as government and public support grows, and technology costs decrease, the issue of education must be addressed immediately, before lifelong damage might be caused to a student’s education. Evaluation.
Solutions to Problems Arising from the Issue
The main problem regarding laptops is the ability for students to become distracted and become off task.
One solution to the problem of distraction is to create a set of strict laptop usage policies that make clear what is and what is not appropriate at school. The policy should describe what third party programs are allowed to be installed or executed, explain the prohibition of games, outline acceptable use of instant messaging and internet usage, and make clear the situations when mp3s are allowed to be used. By setting up a detailed set of rules there is no excuse for the misuse of computers at school. This policy would be enforced by teachers patrolling computer usage for students who break this policy. If a rule is broken, the student will be given a detention, and be temporally prohibited from using their personal laptop during school hours. This solution is limited as it relies on a student’s honesty. It does not really solve the problem as students can hide their mischievous actions from teachers on the other side of their screens
The first solution has been thoroughly explained. The limitations have been highlighted.
Another solution is to give the teacher of a class the ability to view student laptop usage, through screenshots of what is present on the student’s screens. This could be made possible with a small mandatory utility that captures regular pictures from a student’s laptop, and passes this information through a wireless network connection to the teacher’s computer. The teacher could view a number of student’s screens at one time, presented on the teachers screen as small, continually updating thumbnail images. The teacher would be able to notice on his or her screen if a student was visiting an off topic internet sight, listening to mp3s, chatting to other classmates, or otherwise misusing their computer privileges. It involves less personal time and effort and can be used also during the normal teaching process. In such cases, the teacher could confront the student, and make sure they returned back to the task at hand. This solution is limited as it involves a breach of privacy. The purchase of software means it will be more expensive to implement than the policy.
The second solution has been thoroughly explained. The limitations have been highlighted.
Word Count: 979
Bibliography
Ansary, Tamim, 2002, "Computers in Schools: Are We There Yet?" (06/14/03 16:19:49)
Beck, Robin, 2002, "Laptops Power Learning to New Dimension at Elementary School." (06/14/03 17:41:16)
Belanger, Yvonne, 2000, "Laptop Computers in the K-12 Classroom." (06/14/03 17:53:05)
Borja, , 2002, "Student Misuse of School Laptops Forces District to Tighten" (06/14/03 16:55:20)
Corcoran, Katherine, 2002, “Educators dream of laptops for all students”,
(06/14/03 16:56:30)
Dean, Katie, 2002, "Students Treat Laptops with TLC." (05/22/03 21:45:41)
Hardy, Lawrence, 1999, "Electronic School: Lap of Luxury." (06/14/03 17:34:38)
Lent, Colleen, 2003, “Reuse, recycle computers“,
Learning with Laptops, 2002, “Third Year Laptop Program Reflections“,
Mathewson, James, 2002, "On Topic - Gadgets for today's digital classroom..", (06/14/03 16:43:01)
Rocha, Daniel, 2000, “The Emperor's New Laptop", Education Week on the Web, (06/14/03 16:36:28)
Suryaraman, Maya, 2002 “New S.J. school gives every student a laptop." (06/14/03 17:39:24)
NEWS ITEM - EXTRACT
The future of mobile computing in K-12 education is still uncertain. Laptops may never become as common in classrooms as hand-held calculators. Solutions for issues of cost, technical support needs, security, and equitable access are challenging for many schools. Many schools with laptops, however, remain positive and enthusiastic about the changes observed and benefits their students derive from access to portable computers. Although many laptop programs are young and studies are still in progress, research has shown educational benefits from the use of laptops, particularly with respect to increasing student motivation and creating more student-centered classrooms. Continuing improvements in student portable computing technology as well as models of successful programs may make laptops an increasingly attractive option for K-12 educators and technology planners.
International Baccalaureate
Information Technology in a Global Society
Portfolio
Instant Messaging – Blessing or curse to businesses?
(Business and Employment)
March 2004
Student No. 1
XY International School
News Item:
Hu, Jim, P. 2003, “IM: From fad to big business and beyond”,
Presentation of the Issue
In March 2003 an estimated 77,000,000 unique users used an instant messaging client, half of the total internet population (Hu; Festa, 2003). Another survey conducted in June 2002 showed that 66.8% and 54.5% of Internet users used instant messaging in Hong Kong and Singapore respectively (NetValue, 2002). The huge popularity of this communications medium has also influenced business. In May 2002 12,600,000 office workers, or 31% of online workers, used some from of instant messaging (Nielsen NetRatings, 2002).
Instant messaging offers many advantages to business: real-time communication, direct file sharing (Tyson, Date Unknown), streaming content (Tyson, Date Unknown), videoconferencing and networking of Internet devices (Hu, 2003). Collaboration of projects and exchange of data between companies will therefore be easier and more efficient (Hu, 2003), resulting in higher profitability.
However, companies are also concerned over security and manageability issues. Many free IM clients today do not offer logging, and consequently companies are not able to monitor the actions of employees, allowing them to casually chat and causing loss of productivity or even leak company documents (Foo, 2003). The file-sharing feature of IM could also potentially create a tunnel through security measures, as viruses may enter through transferred files (Frase, 2001) to corrupt data or steal valuable information. Thus from this seemingly harmless tool, businesses may lose more money than they gain from the benefits of IM, which at the very worst could lead to a company collapse.
This is a full explanation of the issue, giving good coverage of the social consequences it raises.
News article (Hu) is referred to throughout.
The IT Background of the Issue
The affordability of computers and the widespread use of the Internet have caused people to demand better networking and quicker communications. E-mail for many is too slow, as the other person may not be present to receive it instantly (Hu, 2003) and videoconferencing requires expensive equipment and a broadband connection. IM takes a compromise between the two and consequently has become extremely successful with users.
Corporate usage of IM is expected to grow to 687 million enterprises by 2004 (Guzzo, 2002) whilst a survey of a number of enterprises reported that they will all take up IM by 2007 [Diagram 1] (Hu, 2003):
Diagram 1 (Hu, 2003): A survey of IM users by Osterman Research
Most of the IM clients available today work in similar ways. A contact list [Diagram 2 i)] is always present, displaying the other users of the client you wish to communicate with (Tyson, Date Unknown). When one of those contacts is online and using the IM client notification appears, and double-clicking on their icon will open up a window [Diagram 2 ii)] in which instant messages may be viewed and sent (Tyson, Date Unknown). A bar will allow you to type a message [Diagram 2 iii)], and after sending your message will appear in the same window along with other messages typed by your contact(s). Concepts explained.
In addition, a button on the client may allow you to share files with other users [Diagram 2 iv)]. This will open up a TCP port and upload the file to the other person’s hard-disk directly. If you have a microphone and/or a web-cam, some IM clients may also allow voice conversations and teleconferencing functions [Diagram 2 v)]. “Tabs” may also be included to display streaming content, such as stock quotes [Diagram 2 vi)].
Diagram 2: An example of an IM client - MSN Messenger 6
The Impact of the Issue
Instant messaging affords business many advantages. Because IM is free, companies can cheaply communicate in real-time with clients and/or business. File sharing without IM would be a lengthy process, usually done by uploading and then downloading e-mail attachments, which is obsolete compared with IM’s direct transfer features. Voice conversations and videoconferencing are not only supported in many IM clients, but can be performed without previous notice. In situations such as the worldwide SARS virus outbreak, face-to-face meetings are not possible, and thus companies hope that IM will be able to serve as a substitute (Konrad, 2003). Streaming content such as real-time stock quotes (Tyson, Date Unknown) can also be integrated into clients. All this would improve productivity and cause higher profitability for companies. Explained and analysed.
However, it may be argued that IM may cause employees to chat casually with contacts (Glasner, 2002b), wasting Internet bandwidth, and thus productivity both for themselves and for other employees will be lowered.
Security concerns also arise with file sharing, as it opens tunnels through firewalls. A file received by employees may carry undetected viruses (Frase, 2001), which then may destroy files or steal company information and transmit them to a hacker. If this happened, company secrets with financial value may be stolen and company servers would be down, severely reducing productivity. Explained and analysed.
Lack of logging functions on current IM clients affect manageability, and companies fear they are breaking the law in not recording conversations with customers (Glasner, 2002b). This inability to track the actions of employees may also provide an avenue for them to share out confidential company documents to other people (Foo, 2003), thus losing money for companies, and to send messages which include harassment and discrimination (Guzzo, 2002), thus creating a hostile workplace for employees. Explained and analysed.
Overall the concerns over security and manageability, as well as the lack of effective solutions to combat them, have been the biggest issue for businesses. IM is further hampered by the lack of interoperability of different clients (Olsen, 2002) and lack of support of languages other than English (Creed, 2001). IM manufacturers are looking into the ways to overcome these inherent problems but still more development is needed for IM to become a viable business option. Evaluated - the word "overall" at the beginning of the paragraph indicates that the student is now into "evaluation" mode.
Solutions to Problems Arising from the Issue
Whilst decreased productivity is of great concern, more companies believe that security breaches, such as viruses in received files, are a bigger problem (Glasner, 2002a). Hence one solution is to use anti-virus software (Frase, 2001). Anti-virus software uses virus templates to detect computer infections and runs in the background to scan files whenever they are accessed or created, so viruses should be detected and removed as soon as they are received. The best ones also scan within IM clients, furthering reducing the occurrence of viruses.
The first solution has been explained.
The advantages of anti-virus programs are that they detect and remove the majority of viruses; however, they may cause the inconvenience of updating templates regularly on all computers. Also, their effectiveness is reduced, as they cannot detect very new and polymorphic viruses because there is no corresponding template.
The first solution has been evaluated. Two limitations have been highlighted.
Another solution is to implement extra policies. The policies may require employees to undertake compulsory IM training, so that they can be taught scenarios that might compromise security. Other policies may also require that file sharing occur only between employees and trusted contacts, so the risks of receiving viruses are reduced.
The second solution has been explained.
Policies are free and easily changeable, however, even trusted contacts may obliviously send virus-laden files and policies affords no way in which viruses can be detected and/or removed, so it is ineffective in many cases.
The second solution has been evaluated.
Word Count: 1000
Bibliography
Creed, Adam, P. 13/8/2001, “Instant Messaging On The Rise In Asia”, (31/5/2003)
Frase, Dan, P. 3/12/2001, “The Instant Messaging Menace: Security Problems in the Enterprise and Some Solutions”, , PDF format (21/5/2003)
Foo, Fran, P. 6/5/2003, "Should IM be banned from the office?", , ZDNet article (05/21/2003)
Glasner, Joanna (a), P. 17/9/2002, “Wired News: IM Bans Hush Workplace Chatter” (05/26/2003)
Glasner, Joanna (b), P. 11/11/2002, “IM Users: Your Boss Is Watching” , Wired News article (05/26/2003)
Guzzo, Maria, P. 21/6/2002, “Despite popularity, instant messaging poses problems”, , Pittsburgh Business Times article, PDF format (21/5/2003)
Hu, Jim, P. 13/3/2003, “IM: From fad to big business and beyond”, , CNET News.com article (05/21/2003)
Hu, Jim & Festa, Paul, P. 15/4/2003, “AOL aims to stop the IM erosion” (05/21/2003)
Konrad, Rachel, 2003, “Videoconferencing steps up as SARS slashes travel”, The Australian, 6 May, p.C10
NetValue, P. 20/6/2002, “Nearly 19 million Koreans online during April”, , NUA article (05/26/2003)
Nielsen NetRatings, P. 18/6/2002, “Nua Internet Surveys: IM applications still popular with Internet users”, , NUA article (05/26/2003)
Olsen, Stefanie, P. 13/9/2002, “Business takes lead for IM harmony”, , CNET News.com article (05/21/03)
Tyson, Geff (Date Unknown), “How Instant Messaging Works”, , HowStuffWorks article (05/21/2003)
Final check before determining the total mark.
There are three pieces of work.
The pieces are from 3 different Areas of Impact (if not marks must be deducted in Criterion A)
The final mark for each criterion must have been achieved on at least one of the pieces.
NOTE:
The final mark should represent the level of achievement reached by the candidate by the end of the course
EXPLANATION OF THE FINAL MARKS
Criterion A – obviously a 4.
Criterion B – professional judgement needed here. Although two pieces scored a 3 by the end of the course this candidate had definitely reached a 5. Criterion B in the last piece was outstanding.
Criteria C, D, E, and F – clearly the candidate has reached the top mark in each of these criteria by the end of the course.
TOTAL 25
