We surely live in interesting times...

http://www.bespacific.com/mt/archives/033191.html

April 20, 2013

EPIC: White House Releases Unclassified Summary of Presidential Cybersecurity Directive

EPIC:

• "The White House has released an unclassified summary of Presidential Policy Directive 20. The Policy Directive sets out the cybersecurity authority of the National Security Agency in the United States and has raised concerns about government surveillance of the Internet. The existence of the Directive was detailed in a story in the Washington Post in 2012, and EPIC immediately pursued the public release of the document. According to the White House, PPD-20 "established principles and processes for the use of cyber operations so that cyber tools are integrated with the full array of national security tools." EPIC is still pursuing the release of the full document. For more information see EPIC: Cybersecurity Privacy Practical Implications and EPIC: EPIC v. NSA (NSPD 54)."

[Concerns with language:

… The policy takes into account the evolution of the threat and our growing experience. [I'm concerned they view Cybersecurity as a response to a singe “threat” rather than a variety of threats. Bob]

… It is our policy that we shall undertake the least action necessary to mitigate threats and that we will prioritize network defense and law enforcement as preferred courses of action. [“Least action” could be a Maverick missile fired from a drone. Just saying... Bob]

What do you think Governor Hickenlooper, can we move Silicon Valley to the Vail Valley if we pass a “No One Needs to Know” law? (Perhaps “Ignorance is Bliss” would be a better title?)

California tech firms pushing back against “Right to Know Act”

Steven Harmon reports:

Silicon Valley tech firms, banks and other powerful industries are mounting a quiet but forceful campaign to kill an Internet privacy bill that would give California consumers the right to know how their personal information is being used.

A recent letter signed by 15 companies and trade groups — including TechAmerica, which represents Google, Facebook, Microsoft and other technology companies — demanded that the measure’s author, Assemblywoman Bonnie Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, drop her bill. They complain it would open up businesses to an avalanche of requests from individuals as well as costly lawsuits.

One early consequence of the heavy lobbying: A hearing on the bill, AB1291, scheduled for last week, has been pushed to next month.

Read more on Monterey County Herald.

Officially? “No Comment!” I may need to fly at some point in the future and I hate amateur colonoscopies.

TSA Accepting Public Comments On Whole Body Airport Screening

New submitter trims writes

"The TSA is now in the public comment stage of its project to roll out Advanced Imaging Technology (i.e. full-body X-ray) scanners. The TSA wants your feedback as to whether or not this project should be continued or cancelled. Now is your chance to tell the TSA that this is a huge porkbarrel project and nothing more than Security Theater. You can comment at http:///www.regulations.gov and reference the docket ID TSA-2013-0004."

Note: the backscatter X-ray machines are being phased out, in favor of millimeter-wave systems; the linked documents give the government's side of the story when it comes to efficacy, safety, privacy, and worth. The comment period runs until June 24.

An interesting backgrounder with lots of videos and other links to resources.

http://www.bespacific.com/mt/archives/033192.html

April 20, 2013

MOOCs and Libraries Event Summarized in Series of Six Hangingtogether.org Blog Posts

"The "MOOCs and Libraries: Massive Opportunity or Overwhelming Challenge?" event took place 18-19 March at the University of Pennsylvania and was broadcast live online. Hosted by OCLC Research and University of Pennsylvania Libraries, the event featured thoughtful and provocative presentations about how libraries are already getting involved with MOOCs, and engaged attendees in discussions about strategic opportunities and challenges going forward. OCLC Research Senior Program Officer Merrilee Proffitt organized the event and has posted a series of six blog posts on the OCLC Research blog, Hangingtogether, that recap presentation highlights and summarize its outcomes."

Amusing. Wierd, but amusing.

Hack Education Weekly News

… A bill to create a “New University of California,” an exam-centric, credit-delivery school with no professors, is dead, as its sponsor Assemblyman Scott Wilk has pulled the legislation.

… Another piece of legislation in California, Senate Bill 520, lives on. The bill, which would require the state’s public universities to accept online courses for credit for certain classes, has been amended due to pushback from faculty concerned about the outsourcing of curricular decisions. The language of the bill now reads: the new California Student Access Platform “shall be developed and administered by the President of the University of California, the Chancellor of the California State University, and the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, jointly, with the academic senates of the respective segments.” More details via the Remaking the University blog.

… A bill in West Virginia would make science fiction compulsory, in order to "stimulate interest in the fields of math and science.” Because nothing stimulates kids’ interest in something more than making it a school requirement.

… Apple has been awarded a patent for its “virtual university” (aka iTunes U). PatentlyApple has the details: the patent is “about systems, methods, and computer program products for accessing e-learning courses from an online resource. Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) allow students to enroll in online courses or collections of other media (e.g., video files, presentations).” Because if it weren’t for the Apple GUI, clearly there would be no online education.

… According to the 2012 ACT National Curriculum Survey, high school teachers think their students are ready for college at a far higher rate than college professors do. “89 percent of high school teachers think report their students are ‘well’ or ‘very well’ prepared for college-level work in the subject they teach, while just 26 percent of college instructors say incoming students are ‘well’ or ‘very well’ prepared for entry-level course,” writes Education Week. [Interesting question: Why? Bob]