Also, there is a plethora of free software and tools available, either web based or as a download. A lot of these tools are under utilized, not used to their full potential. An example would be using a Google account. Aside from using Gmail, this account allows you to have a lot of features, such as using Google Docs, it contains a word processor, spreadsheet, presentation and forms. This is ideal for someone that wants a minimalist approach to computing, or simply just lack the resource and funding to purchase an office suite of application. Any computer can be loaded with just a web browser and it can do a majority of the tasks. It can be run on older generation of computers with a small harddrive, because all the files are stored in the Google account. As long as the user can access the Internet with reasonable speed, then it is sufficient for basic computing needs. This is one of the major differences of using a web based application versus application that runs on the computer. The user is dictated by Internet connectivity. Check out this Youtube video on Google Docs.
But one must caution with the use of free software and programs, you have to wonder what the provider is gathering from your data and usage. What are Google and Microsoft really using your data for? What are they data mining? Will you be "sold out" to other corporations in the future? May be your information is sold already and you would never even notice.
Nielsen Online research found that on average, 3 hrs 10 mins per month is spent checking and updating Facebook, which remains the most popular social networking site in the world. The study states that more time is spent on social networking than on email. What medium or platform will replace social networking in the future? What's the next "in" thing?
Facebook could be used for different reasons, both good and bad. Students could use it to cyber bully their teachers (insulting comments, etc) But then again, one could look at this as their channel to express their opinion about their instructors. Is it any different then a political forum or discussion board where citizens come and express their anger towards politicians? Burning a George Bush effigy is a bit extreme, and what about drawing devil horns on Steven Harper's picture or degrading him by drawing a political cartoon? It seems it is okay for a political cartoonist to mock our prime minister in national publications such as newspaper or magazine, but it is not okay for a student to mock a teacher by posting a sketch on a Facebook group? There are many grey areas in these issues, and there will never be an answer that will satisfy all parties.
Last year there was a controversy at Ryerson where a student faced expulsion from school for running a Facebook group, on the grounds of academic misconduct. My personal opinion is that this incident was blown out of porportion and was unjustified, a waste of administrative resources. It is no different then students gathering in a library study room and trading notes. Facebook is just a different medium and platform for them to share their 'knowledge' and help each other for homework assignments. I don't agree with the school's prosecution of this student on the grounds of "academic integrity".
