Information Technology: Investigate

Investigate: The first stage of the MYP Design Cycle

We are now in Information Technology for term 2. We are using apple Macs which I am really happy about because Macintosh is what I first learnt to use computers with. I also use Mac at me so it is an easy switch between the two.

Investigate:

Investigation is the first part of the MYP design cycle. A series of steps in which we follow when we are creating something. In this case we are going to be creating a website explaining how web 2.0 tools can help us in the event of a natural disaster. 

For this unit our guiding question is "How can we use Web 2.0 tools as a community to help another community when a natural disaster strikes?"

My first thoughts about this question is the main reason we would be able to use Web 2.0 tools when a disaster strikes would be to communicate. For example I check the New York Times everyday for news. Even if I am not in a place I can still learn about it through blogs that reporters have set up or other stories. This is a form communication that we can use to find out about events that are happening around the world. Another way that we can communicate is that people can send images to others around the world. This can easily convey the level of damage and the effect of the disaster. Another advantage of using images is that people can understand them no matter what language, culture or background. Also we can use programs such as email or skype. This way we are using more private methods so usually it is only between  2 people. This information that has been shared between those two people can be spread by word of mouth or be posted in articles, blogs, twitter, email and networking websites. 

As I said before  pictures are very useful because they can be used to communicate information in different countries where different languages are spoken, so it does not have to be translated. We can easily share, past and view images on flickr.com . A website that allows people to post and comment on photos. For example there would be a victim of the tsunami in Thailand and post images of the effect on flickr. Then people around the world can see first hand what has happened and what the effect and damage is. 

flickr_logo.jpg">

Another software that can be used in a natural disaster is Skype. This could be used in case someone doesnt have access to a phone that could call overseas, but they did have internet. They could use skype so that they could let family and friends know that they were okay and not hurt, or the opposite. They would be able to do this just with the use of internet.

skype_logo_connect-web.jpg">

We could also use email to let people know that we are okay. This is a good way to let people know your condition because you dont need high speed internet for it to work, like you would using other software such was Skype.  Also you dont have to be on the internet for a long time--so if your internet time was limited you would be able to meet the deadline. 

gmail-logo1.jpg">

In terms of hardware we could use devices such as iphones, blackberrys or other smart phones. We could use them for many of the above softwares such as skype, email or flickr. Another way it could help us could be if they were to be looking at the news on their handheld, they might see that there was a tsunami warning. There are also Global Positinting Systems so if they were lost and displaced during the disaster they would be able to find their way home. Also they could check weather if there was going to be a bad storm. Most of all they would be able to use the phone to call people in case they needed assistance such as an ambulance or other services like it. 

The final hardware we could use would be a laptop. You might be thinking why a laptop and not a desktop. The answer is simple. Portability. You could have it with you in your hotel room, at a campsite, on the beach or even on hill where you could be hiding from flooding. We could use this for all of the above softwares. You could even use it for the phone to download files and

other items.

 

. designCycleEn.png">