The need of Software

Thinking on the different software used dialy it became quite clear how important they are. I think out of all of the programs I probably use Google the most. It provides me with all the information I need to make decisions concerning daily life. For instance when planning a trip I first look up directions and info on google. Even if I need some quick info for a class I google it. Gullnet and MYclasses are also essential to daily life as well. I spend countless amount of time on both making decisions reguarding my courses, which ultimately affects my future.

Plagiarism is a BIG deal

Plagiarism in the past, may not have seemed to be a big thing however now-a-days it is ALOT  more serious. And the sad thing is new technology is making it easier and easier to do, and institutions are quickly cracking down on students, making sure there work is actually theirs. I do not personally believe this is a problem to be honest, because I feel like students should always do their own work. However, it is the students who dont realize they are plagiarizing that my heart goes out to. Not including quotations or the authors name EVERY time can truly mess you up. It wasnt until I got into college that I truly understood what actual plagiarism is. Now every syllabus explains it and speaks on academic intergrity. Professors and instutions as a whole let students know ahead of time the consequences of plagiarism and that is clearly not tolerated!

Below I attached some links with more info:
http://www.slideshare.net/rugrat630/plagiarism-and-technology-in-the-classroom
http://mail.baylorschool.org/~jstover/plagiarism/consequences.htm

Ethics

   I personally believe that Ethics goes hand in hand with Business and Technology. Ethics is needed in order to keep things running smoothly and perfessional. Afterall who wants to work with a non-ethical business person? I know I wouldnt. Ethics helps people keep in mind what is right and how to efficently and fairly to run a business. Although many of us are very aware of how important Ethics are, we encounter different situations where our Ethics are tested. For instance, while I was in highschool some of the students found a way to cheat on test on computers and my Ethics were tested. Although I thought about it I couldnt go through with it. I knew it wasnt right and I knew what the consequences would be if I was caught. Once I got my test results back I realized that I had made the best choice, not to mention those students who thought it was a good idea ended up getting caught. That is when I realized how important it is to follow the rules, and only accept what you deserve. Otherwise it is not worth it. Without Ethics in business the business will never last.

America Falling Behind

I've heard alot about some Americans being outraged about our falling educational system. And honestly I must join them in this outrage. Some of the numbers I have come across in my research, has made me open my eyes and realize that this is a huge problem. Not only is America having a tough time with other things right now, its education system is rapidly failing. Something I am not personally fond of. We all know the saying "education is key" so now that it is going down the drain must later generations find a new key?

This topic is very diverse because it will take alot to change the way things are currently going for America. Teachers are underpaid which in turn (in some areas) may cause them to "underpay" our students reguarding education. And now that I think about it my early education (elementary and middle school) may have let me slide by as well as other schools are doing current school children. Not saying that I didnt learn anything, however I will say I do not think I was properly prepared. For instance, in one of my Advanced Placement classes in High School alot of students from our local private school transferred to our school and I realized how better with grammer, and writing period they were than me. It seemed like they were better prepared for this AP English class than I had been, making comments like " I learned this is middle school". Thinking back I realized that we may have brushed on grammer but it wasnt really "taught" like I needed it to be.

To be honest, I feel like if things are not changed soon and I mean very soon America will no longer be what we all thought it would be. Hopefully these teachers can teach and inspire kids to learn and be great. Because without well educated and ambitious children there will no longer be any well educated and successful adults.

Here are a few sights I found with info on this matter.
http://jesus-is-savior.com/Family/Parents%20Corner/failing_educational_system.htm
http://www.thedrakegroup.org/Splitt_Failing.pdf
http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Stossel/story?id=1500338