Educating the masses

The thought of a higher education usually brings with it images of aging professors in tweed jackets, a students scarved and sitting under a tree preparing for their mid-terms. Outside of campus though is whole other world of learning. An online and usually free one.

A MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) is a course that is accessible to anyone with an internet connection. MOOC's like regular university courses have lectures, assessment and a credential.  Edx, formed by M.I.T and Harvard, is a provider and producer of MOOCs and offer courses ranging from an 'Introduction to Computer Science' to 'The science of happiness' and the cost of signing up to them is free (although a verified certificate will cost a minimal fee).

Last year Coursera Inc. , had 522 courses on offer, a number of which come from elite institutions such as Princeton University and Stanford College. With such a bounty of free education from reputable schools already available, parents might be fretting that in the future their teenagers may not even have to leave the nest to study never-mind tree.

The problem with MOOCs is that they can't offer a 'real' university experience and many professors agree that education is not simply about the content of the course but about discussion, networking and context. These and other limitations such as access labs and face to face conversation with tutors and lecturers dilute the learning experience.

While MOOC's may not change the face education, they provide amny people an opportunity to increase their own knowledge and better educate themselves. So whether you might want to explore the planets beyond our solar system, keep the little ones healthy or fatten up your brain there is a course to pick up for free.

References:
www.coursera.org

www.edx.org

Belkin, D. 2014 'Can MOOCs and Universities Co-Exist?' http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303825604579515521328500810 

Why Everyone Needs To Know About Information Systems

Information systems are all around us. Everybody uses them on a daily basis whether they know it or not. They are an integral part of our lives.

Information systems refer to the collection, storage and sharing of information which individuals find useful, and the use of this information to make decisions. It deals with the impact of technology on people and organisations. Information systems are specific to each individual. Before looking at business applications of information systems, one needs to understand its personal applications. A person’s personal information system consists of the devices, apps and other technology that they use. Even basic forms of information are included for example: a note left as a reminder on a piece of paper.

Every bit of information that one uses on a daily basis impacts our lives in many ways. Whether it’s a calendar for appointments or a radio for entertainment, these are all pieces of information that guide our days, conversations and actions. A person’s information system therefore plays an essential part in their life and it is important that they know this. Information systems need to be understood so that each individual can tailor their personal information system to fulfil their specific needs. A complete understanding of the topic could mean that one’s information system will make the handling of information simpler and also more efficient. A proper information system makes goals easier to accomplish.

Businesses use information systems for everyday processes as well as collection, management and sharing of information. It also helps in laying out tasks and goals.

Information systems are continuously changing with the newest innovations in technology. In order for us to get the full benefit of them, everybody needs to know about information systems.

Editing Partner: Pieter Ross

References;

Introduction to information systems February 2014: Judy Backhouse

Theme 1: Personal Information Systems February 2014: Mitchell Hughes

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/287895/information-system

The security threats that small businesses face in today’s cyber world – Spyware and Phishing

Other threats include hacking, worms, trojans and viruses but these are not discussed here.

Spyware is the term used to refer to malware such as a key-logger. A key-logger is similar to any other form of malware in the sense that it is designed to harm business operations. It usually (like a virus) arrives disguised as something else in the form of an e-mail with an attachment. When the user opens the attachment, it will install itself onto the computer without the user’s knowledge. The key-logger will then keep track of which keystrokes the user is inputting into the computer and send this information off to its creator. This is especially dangerous where for example, the owner of a small business is typing in online banking details into a bank’s website, since the key-logger will recognise this as important information and it could seriously compromise the business’ finances if the key-logger creator were to have access to this information. Hence, never open e-mails from untrusted sources. It is also highly recommended that one never does online banking on public computers, since one never knows who has used the computers before and what malware (such as key-loggers) could be installed on them.

Similarly, phishing is whereby a user will receive an e-mail from their ‘bank’ asking them to input their login details into an identical-looking but false website. Never respond to these e-mails, as a bank will never ask you for your login details in an e-mail and secondly, you will be sending someone the details of your bank account, which, if you are a small business, could mean the end of you financially. Only input login details into a bank’s real website, which can be identified by the ‘s’ after the ‘p’ in ‘http’ in the website’s address.

(Additional information relating to spyware, malware etc., can be viewed at the following websites:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malware and

http://www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/spyware-whatis.aspx).


Editing Partner: Girishka Ramesar

References:

• Computers, Part of Your Life Part 3 – A Textbook for Information Technology. Published by Study Opportunities. First edition (January 2008) – Noome, C; Gibson, K; Macmillan, P; Stoffberg, K, Wassermann, U. Pages 40 and 41.
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malware - Accessed 7 March 2014.
• http://www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/spyware-whatis.aspx - Accessed 10 May 2014.

Wikileaks

Over the years, Wikileaks has grown immensely. Its publications have caused many negative outcomes such as deaths, law suites and arrests, however it also provides truth to the world. These hacks on hidden files from the government and private organisations show the public how so much is concealed and how the public knows little of what is occurring internationally or even locally.

The site ‘believe[s] that transparency in government activities leads to reduced corruption, better government and stronger democracies.'[1] Many see this as a positive thing as ‘hacking’ offers society the ‘real’ community that they live in. The publications to the public have both negative and positive outcomes. For instance, the publication of the Pentagon Papers illustrated how the American government hid the drastic measures they took in trying to win the war against Vietnam. This publication illustrated how thousands of innocent people in Vietnam were killed from bombings - that were not streamed on mainstream media. This publication received 'positive' reviews as the public got to see a glimpse of what the government was doing.

However, many see Wikileaks causing a negative impact on society as it violates the ‘Rights to Privacy.’ The publications that reveal the doings of the Government, businesses and individuals has a negative impact on specific individuals as the information that is released to the public can threaten them.  This shows how this specific website -Wikileaks- which publishes hacked information has both negative and positive outcomes.

This documentary illustrates how Wikileaks has the ability to present the truth - even when brutal. 

Wikileaks uses hacking as their main platform to find and publish the truth, their articles are 'met with praise as well as strong criticism' 

Editing Partner : Margaret Tsotetsi

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[1] The New York Times Website http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/26/world/26wiki.html

Other Resources
https://wikileaks.org
http://www.sytaylor.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/wikileaks_logo_2.jpg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pS_UvV6_Cwg