October 2010

Why laptops in class are distracting America's future workforce

[Commentary] As these first few weeks of the college semester begin, professors look out expectantly into grand lecture halls, where they see, rather than faces of students, the backs of open laptops.

The students, for their part, are looking intently at the laptop screens. What are they doing as they stare forward with such apparent focus? Thanks to wireless Internet access, they are updating their Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr profiles; they are chatting on Skype, Gchat, or iChat; they are making travel plans, or reading the newspaper, or following the pennant race. This fall, higher education lost yet another new class of freshmen, as the new students learned that the university classroom is just one more physical place to be on the Internet. I would not have the attention of my students if I did not ban laptops and smartphones from my classroom. Part of the problem is that students are not paying attention at a given moment; part of the problem is that they often lack the ability to pay attention at all.

Removing laptops from the classroom gives students a chance to focus, and a chance to learn to focus. Without the flash of screens and the sound of typing, they find themselves... learning. In most courses, much is lost and nothing is gained by the use of the Internet. If the students need to use the Internet, they have the remaining 23 hours of the day, and indeed the rest of their lives, to do their screen-staring.

FCC Chairman gives broadband progress report

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski said the National Broadband Plan recommendations that the FCC has already begun implementing include its white spaces order, reform to pole-attachment rules, moving to free up spectrum for mobile broadband, and reform of the E-Rate program to help bring technology into schools. As for initiatives still on the way, Genachowski named a few: reform the Universal Service program, promote broadband adoption, launch incentive auctions to recover underused spectrum, and empower consumers of wired and wireless broadband.

Website Operators Say It Isn't Possible to Keep Track of All Tracking Tools

Eleven of the nation's largest website operators defended their privacy practices to lawmakers, saying it is impossible for them to monitor all the tracking technologies their sites install on visitors' computers.

The operators -- including Microsoft, Yahoo and AOL -- say they are improving disclosures about online tracking and offering users more ways to protect their privacy. But they say that eliminating tracking is technically difficult and economically impractical, because the targeted advertisements supported by tracking allow the operators to offer free content. "It is technically impossible for Yahoo! to be aware of all software or files that may be installed on a user's computer when they visit our site," Anne Toth, Yahoo's vice president of global policy and head of privacy, wrote to U.S. Reps. Edward Markey (D-MA) and Joe Barton (R-TX). The lawmakers are co-chairmen of the House Bi-Partisan Privacy Caucus. In August, they requested information about data-collection practices from the 15 websites.

Rep. Markey said the responses raise concerns, particularly about "complicated and laborious" privacy policies Internet users must navigate to learn how their data is being used and shared. Rep Markey said he wasn't satisfied that "consumers are able to effectively shield their personal Internet habits and private information from the prying eyes of online data gatherers."

Polls Shows Parents, Teens Concerned About Online Privacy

A new poll shows that most parents are concerned that their children are sharing too much information online, and both parents and teens say more restrictions should be placed on what information is shared about children.

The poll, released by Common Sense Media, found that 92 percent of parents say they worry that their children are sharing too much information online, while 79 percent of teens say they believe their friends share too much information online. The poll, which surveyed teens and adults, shows both groups would like to see greater privacy protections, with 85 percent of teens responding that social media sites should obtain their permission before using their personal information for marketing purposes. And 88 percent of parents say they would support a law requiring social networking and other websites to obtain a user's consent before using their personal information to market products to them.

Bill Shock, Mobility Fund, CableCARD on FCC's Agenda Next Week

The Federal Communications Commission will hold an Open Meeting on Thursday, October 14, 2010. The FCC will consider:

1) a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on rules requiring mobile carriers to provide usage alerts and related information that will assist consumers in avoiding unexpected charges on their bills,

2) a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on a proposal to use recently reserved universal service funds to create a Mobility Fund to support private investment in current-(3G) and next-generation mobile services in areas where consumers currently lack such services, and

3) a Third Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration that will make changes to the FCC's CableCARD rules to improve the consumer experience with the video navigation devices used with cable services and promote the development of a competitive market for such devices.

Bill shock and awe coming next week

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) wants to regulate wireless billing practices and is pressing hard to gain flattering publicity on this policy.

The agency launched the effort earlier this year by releasing a survey that showed one in six customers have experienced alarm when they find their monthly wireless bills are higher than expected. The agency termed the condition "bill shock." FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski will discuss his search for a cure in a speech at the Center for American Progress. He will release the findings of a new FCC paper on "bill shock." The speech comes a day before an FCC meeting where the agency is expected to begin a proceeding to regulate wireless billing practices.

Sen Udall encourages FCC to make 'bill shock' rules

Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) wrote to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to urge it to consider making new regulations to protect consumers from "bill shock," an issue he also addressed in legislation introduced last month.

"Bill shock" is the alarm consumers are said to feel when see their monthly phone bills are higher than expected. An FCC survey this year said one in six consumers have experienced that. "I encourage you to consider the notification and customer consent principles of the Cell Phone Bill Shock Act in order to help consumers avoid bill shock," Udall said in his letter to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski. He notably stopped short of calling on the FCC to make rules forcing wireless carriers to halt service, including voice and text capabilities, to customers who have exceeded their monthly plans. That provision appears in Udall's "bill shock" legislation.

Markey Pushes For All-Vid, CableCARD Fixes

In a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski, Rep Ed markey writes that the cable set-top box is not as "smart" or available as it should be and the FCC needs to rectify that, including by making MVPD's install video gateway devices in all new homes and for all replacement installs as of the end of 2012.

Rep Markey wrote that the failure of the CableCARD regime to spur that marketplace was because it was unwieldy and not competitively priced. Markey wants the FCC to ensure that CableCARDs can be self-installed without the need for additional equipment. rep Markey also wants the commission to launch a proceeding "to make progress" toward a simple, inexpensive gateway device that unites Internet and cable content. Again, he was essentially adding his imprimatur to a process already underway. The FCC has launched an inquiry into that all-video device, though it has not yet moved to a rulemaking.

Sen Carper: Bill Would Help Implement Cybersecurity Measures

Sen Tom Carper (D-Delaware), chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Federal Financial Management and Government Information Subcommittee, said that a new Government Accounting Office report that shows the White House has made slow progress in implementing the recommendations from a May 2009 cybersecurity review underscores the need for legislation that would provide the Administration with more tools to do the job.

"While the Administration has done an admirable job to date in recognizing and attempting to address the cyber threat, in many ways they are fighting this battle with one hand tied behind their back because they lack the tools and resources necessary to make real progress," said Sen Carper. "In order to maximize our security efforts we need to ensure that a fully capable civilian agency is at the helm of our cyber security efforts, working as an open and transparent partner with the private sector to defend our nation from these threats."

Dispute Over FM Chip Mandate In Mobile Phones Continues

The Consumer Electronics Association urged the National Association of Broadcasters not to pursue a Congressional mandate that would require manufacturers to install FM radio chips in all mobile phones in a letter sent to NAB Oct 7.

The "free market, not government mandates," wrote CEA President Gary Shapiro "holds the best hope for ensuring that [manufacturing and broadcasting] continue to innovate and thrive." "We will vigorously oppose any effort to force manufacturers by legislative fiat to include legacy technology in devices," Shapiro added. This is the latest salvo in an ongoing dispute between about the chip mandate which is a byproduct of negotiations between the recording industry and broadcasters over performance royalties. NAB, in exchange for their support of a bill that would require AM and FM radio stations to pay performers a fee for playing their music on air, has asked Congress for the inclusion of a chip mandate.

Benton

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