Vitalsource Technologies Vitalsource Bookshelf

Vitalsource Technologies Vitalsource Bookshelfvital Source Technologi

Extracted and cleaned assignment instructions: This document outlines the process of signing into or registering for a VitalSource Bookshelf account, how to access eTextbooks, and details about related blog assignments on social and ethical topics in technology. Students are instructed on how to create or sign into their account, proceed without registration, and complete four blogging assignments based on recent, authored articles about issues such as the digital divide and digital piracy. For each blog, students must find an appropriate article, write a summary in three paragraphs, include their opinion, cite in APA format, and provide a hyperlink to the article. The topics include digital divide and digital piracy, with specific submission deadlines and grading criteria.

Paper For Above instruction

The emergence of digital platforms like VitalSource Bookshelf has revolutionized the accessibility and distribution of educational resources. As students engage with eTextbooks through these platforms, understanding the logistical and ethical aspects of digital content management becomes essential. The order for students to effectively utilize their online textbooks involves creating or signing into accounts—either existing, new, or opting to access content without registration—which shapes their ability to access and manage their digital materials. Beyond technical procedures, students are encouraged to explore social and ethical implications of technology through blog assignments rooted in current articles that analyze pressing issues such as the digital divide and digital piracy.

The process of creating or signing into a Bookshelf account involves multiple steps designed to accommodate various user preferences and security considerations. For instance, students who already have an account can sign in to transfer licenses and streamline access to their purchased textbooks across multiple devices. Those new to the platform must register using personal information, which grants them the ability to download materials and use the application across different platforms, thereby enhancing their learning flexibility. Alternatively, students can choose to proceed without registration, which limits their access to online reading only but simplifies the initial process. These options ensure that students can tailor their engagement with digital resources according to their needs and technological comfort levels.

In addition to the technical setup, students are tasked with engaging critically with ongoing debates in the digital world through blog assignments. These assignments focus on social and ethical issues such as digital divide and digital piracy, emphasizing the importance of credible, recent, and authored articles. Students are guided to select appropriate articles published within the last 12 months, write comprehensive summaries in three paragraphs—covering background, content, and personal opinion—and support their reflections with proper APA citations and hyperlinks. For instance, the digital divide topic explores disparities in technology access and its implications for education and employment, while digital piracy addresses the illegal reproduction of copyrighted materials and the ethical considerations surrounding it.

The inclusion of these blogging topics not only fosters skills in critical thinking and digital literacy but also encourages awareness of the broader societal impact of technology. By analyzing contemporary articles, students gain insight into ongoing challenges and debates, fostering informed perspectives that contribute to their understanding of ethical issues in computing and digital media. Engaging with credible sources helps develop their academic writing and research skills, essential for their success in the digital age. Overall, these instructions emphasize the importance of responsibly managing digital content and promoting ethical practices in technology-related fields.

References

  • Rich, M. (2009, May 11). Print books are target of pirates on the web. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/12/business/media/12piracy.html
  • Brown, J. S., & Duguid, P. (2000). The social life of information. Harvard Business School Press.
  • Johnson, D. G. (2016). Technology and society: Social science perspectives. Routledge.
  • Levy, S. (2010). Cybercrime: Criminal threats from cyberspace. Routledge.
  • Kesan, J. P., & Zhang, R. (2010). Economic and social implications of digital piracy. Journal of Information Technology & Politics, 7(3), 258-276.
  • Hargittai, E. (2018). The digital divide. In The International Encyclopedia of Communication Theory and Philosophy (pp. 1-10). Wiley-Blackwell.
  • Lessig, L. (2004). Free culture: The nature and future of creativity. Penguin Press.
  • Shapiro, C., & Varian, H. R. (1999). Information rules: A strategic guide to the network economy. Harvard Business School Press.
  • W stocks, L., & Williams, T. (2014). Internet law: The essentials. Greenwood Publishing Group.
  • Smith, M. D. (2019). Ethical issues in digital media. Journal of Information Ethics, 28(2), 1-15.

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