IFSM201 Concepts and Applications of Information Technology
Week 1 Discussion
Sampling and Polls
Choose one question to complete your discussion. Students, please note, if there is noted duplication of topics and references you will be asked to rewrite your discussion.  Let’s be original with our work. For GROUP A students, please read the expectations posted in the discussion for week(1) with your name, thank you.)
1. How can you be fooled by data?
2. Why/How does the data collected in polls and studies lead us to incorrect conclusions?
3. What impacts do you think polls have or have had on you?
4. Do you pay attention to polls?
5. Do you think national polls impact peoples’ views on a topic?
Please respond to the discussion with APA references and citations.
 
IFSM201 Concepts and Applications of Information Technology
Week 2 Discussion
Telecommuting and Teleworking
Choose one or more questions to complete your discussion. Students, please note, if there is noted duplication of topics and references you will be asked to rewrite your discussion.  Let’s be original with our work. Thank you.)
   A network is a collection of computers and devices connected together. The internet is the world’s largest computer network.
   This rise in telecommunications and both wired and wireless networks has opened up the possibilities for telecommuting.
   When working typically at home but tethered to the company’s office is a safe bet you are telecommuting.
   Studies have shown that telecommuting can actually increase a company’s productivity.
   Teleworking, on the other hand, is working from anywhere using mobile devices and smartphones.
   Teleworking, that is, working from anywhere, comes with a potential negative cost – the threat of “always working” and the parallel issue of “always being available or online.”
1. Would you like to have a job for which you telecommute or telework instead of going in to the office? Why or why not?
2. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages for you as the employee and for the business as the employer in having teleworking or telecommuting an accepted policy?
 
IFSM201 Concepts and Applications of Information Technology
Week 3 Discussion
Your life is somewhere in a database
Choose one question to complete your discussion. Students, please note, if there is noted duplication of topics and references you will be asked to rewrite your discussion.  Let’s be original with our work. Thank you.)
Your life is somewhere in a database
1. Are you comfortable with giving away some of your privacy for increased security? Why or why not?
2. How far would you let the government go in examining people’s private lives?
3. Or how much access should we have to certain aspects of others’ private lives?
4. For example, should States share criminal databases?  Many TV shows depict law enforcement personnel accessing readily accessible databases that contain all types of records about individuals –records about everything from address to telephone records to finances, insurance, and criminal history.
5. Specifically, should a database of people paroled or released for crimes be made public?  Why or why not?
6. What about those who have committed other types of crimes?
7. Who should have access to the database? Why?
 
IFSM201 Concepts and Applications of Information Technology
Week 4 Discussion
Consumer Protection – Who Can You Trust?
Choose one or more questions to complete your discussion. Students, please note, if there is noted duplication of topics and references you will be asked to rewrite your discussion.  Let’s be original with our work. Thank you.)
1. What is the difference between the Internet and Internet2? Why are there two variations and what is the use of each one? What about Cloud Computing?  Is it a utility which can be useful to both Internet and Internet2?
2.The World Wide Web has tremendous power and a major information resource. Is there a difference between the Internet and the World Wide Web? What are other avenues located on the World Wide Web, other than the Internet; or are these terms in reverse? After you review and understand the difference between the two technologies, name and discuss three specific sources.
3. When using the World Wide Web there is a utility known as ‘Browser’. Please research and reference your responses.  I look forward to seeing them. What did you learn or find interesting from looking at them?
a. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_web_browsers
b. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_web_browsers
c. http://browsershots.org/
4. If you are shopping online, how do you determine whether the merchant is trustworthy?
5 Is it possible to determine trustworthiness when you walk into a store and need to use a credit card for a purchase?
6. Who is better positioned to regulate online transactions and handle irregularities or complaints – consumer advocacy groups or the government?
7. What is the method of filing a consumer complaint with a consumer protection office (government agency). Are consumer groups helpful?
 
IFSM201 Concepts and Applications of Information Technology
Week 5 Discussion
Planning the Future- Emerging Technologies
This course is based on today’s emerging technologies.
1. What is the difference between the Internet, Intranet and the Extranet?
https://superuser.com/questions/135164/whats-the-difference-between-intranet-extranet-and-internet
2. How the Internet works?
How does it work: 

3. Where is technology today as related to the World and the Internet?
Today less than half the world has Internet access:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOez_Hk80TI
 
IFSM201 Concepts and Applications of Information Technology
Week 6 Discussion
Wireless convenience and risk
1.What risks and safeguards are associated with wireless communication?
2.What is “war driving” or “war flying”? 
3.Are you comfortable (or would you use) a wireless “hot spot” to do computer work? 
4.What safeguards might you use in accessing an unprotected (public) wireless communications?
5.Are you more at risk using a wireless connection via laptop or a connection via a smart phone?
Please respond to the discussion with APA references and citations.
 
IFSM201 Concepts and Applications of Information Technology
Week 7  Discussion
Impacts of Information Technology
The readings this week raise issues that are direct or indirect effects of the use of information technology:
a) the digital divide
b) online addictions
c) online media – fact or fiction
d) positive and negative impacts of information technology on society
Ask or respond to the topics with the following questions.
1. How serious an impact does your chosen problem have on quality of life?
2. What could you do to lessen the impact in your life or the lives of loved ones?
 
IFSM201 Concepts and Applications of Information Technology
Week 8 Discussion
The Future of Technology
Choose one of the following “developments in technology” and do some research on the current state of this technology.
 
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