:TECHBRARIAN

Imagine this:  you are instant messaging with two “people”.  One of the people is human and the other is really a computer.  Can you tell the difference?

This is the question that a man named Alan Turing had in 1950.  He called this test– to see if humans could tell the difference between Man and Machine– The Turing Test.  So far, no machine has passed.  That said, ever year computers come closer and closer to passing the Turing Test.

Now it’s your turn to test some of the machines.  This is not exactly a Turing Test because there are no humans on the other end, but your job is to talk with two machines and figure out why you know they’re not human.

1. Click on each of these machines and have a conversation with them:

Splotchy

Suzette

2.  In your blog answer the following questions:

a) Did either of the machines come close to passing the Turing Test (did they seem human?)

b) What were some of the questions you asked them?  Why?

c) Why do you think it’s so hard to design a machine that passes the Turing Test?

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So the new Terminator movie came out last week and it got me thinking about robots.  What  is the state of Robot technology in 2009?  How close are we to creating machines that can sense, think, and act as well (or better) than humans?

Watch a part of The Works: Robots by clicking HERE.

Now, answer the following questions in your blog:

1. What’s the difference between a humanoid and an android?

2.What’s the uncanny valley?

3. Is there something about humans that robots will never possess?  If so, what is it?

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1. Watch part of Russell Simmon’s Brave New Voices by clicking HERE.

2. Click HERE to read some spoken word poetry.

3. Pick one that you find powerful.  Practice reading the poem in a way that brings out its power. Now, record yourself in IMovie reading it.  Put the video on your blog (make sure to give credit to the author).

** BONUS **

4. Inspired?  Write your own poem and record yourself saying it in IMovie.  Publish the video on your blog.

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1.  Click HERE for a quick tutorial on how to play 3rd World Farmer

2.  Play 3rd World Farmer by clicking HERE

3.  Answer the following questions in your blog:

a) What was life like as a 3rd World farmer?

b) Explain your strategy to do well in this game.

** Extra Credit **

c)  3rd World Farmer captured the experience of a family struggling to survive on a farm in a poor country. Describe a game that captures your experience living in New York.

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1. Click HERE to watch Sneakers, Part 5.

2. Continue filling out your Bubbl.us

3.  Next, click HERE to see my Flickr page full of print advertisements for sneakers.

4.  Next, create an advertisement to sell one of the shoes you made in the last assignment.  You will be using Photoshop to create the ad.

–> Click HERE for a tutorial.

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1. Maybe you’ve heard of it, maybe you haven’t. “Sexting” is a dangerous new trend that is ruining the lives of many teenagers. Watch the slideshow below to find out what it is and why you should avoid it.

2. Click HERE to watch a video about a teen who committed suicide because of sexting.

3. Now watch “Pressure Pic Problem” by clicking HERE. Choose your answer below:

A) Send them. He’s earned it.

B) Now way! Not in a Million Years.

C) Send a picture of your dog’s butt.

4. Finally, pretend you received the message below from your boyfriend or girlfriend. Reply to it in your blog. Make sure to include good reasons for saying “no”.

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