Tag: technology

Tell Siri You’re Getting Pulled Over By the Police

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Due to some incidents of police brutality we’ve seen recently, iPhone is making it possible for users to automatically record any interactions with the police by saying “Hey Siri, I’m getting pulled over.”

Read this news and find out about this new iPhone shortcut that might come in handy when you find yourself in a sticky situation with police officers.

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/06/16/us/iphone-police-shortcut-record-trnd/index.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on this phone shortcut? Do you want a similar function on your phone?
  2. Share incidents of police brutality in your country. If it never happens there, what do you think are reasons it doesn’t occur?
  3. Why do you think some police get aggressive toward civilians sometimes?
  4. Talk about your experience being pulled over by cops.
  5. How are cops like in your country?

Is This the Future of Driving?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Some automotive pundits claim that technology will effect great changes in the car industry. A number of them even predict that such developments are just around the corner.

A senior reporter at a popular American news channel describes these innovations in the video below. Only time will tell if these technology-enhanced cars will take the world by storm.

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the video, what’s in store for the future of driving?
  2. What makes electric cars a viable alternative to petrol-guzzling cars?
  3. Would you take a ride in a self-driving taxi or ride-hailing service vehicle?
  4. Does a future without car ownership sound appealing to you? Why or why not?
  5. What features do you look for in a car?

City Pilots Cyber-Graduation Rites

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Graduation is one of the most important milestones not only to students but also their parents. It’s the event where you’ll feel fulfillment and exhibit your achievements to other people. The day that you’ll feel proud of yourself and make your loved ones proud.

However, this opportunity was revoked by the pandemic that we are facing right now. It was unfortunate but as the proverb goes, “When there’s a will, there’s a way” and that what was proven by one schools in the Philippines. They held a cyber-graduation.

Let’s learn more about what they did here:

https://www.cnn.ph/news/2020/5/22/Taguig-City-pilot-cyber-graduation-rites.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How did they perform the cyber-graduation?
  2. What is your reaction about cyber-graduation?
  3. Do you think it’s a great idea to do this? Why or why not?
  4. Compare the education system before and during the Covid-19 pandemic.
  5. What are school graduations like in your country?

How Do We Educate the Workforce of the Future?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

For us to remain competitive, it is important to understand the era of technology. The innovative development such as AI, electric vehicles, e-commerce, and smart utilities all affect changes, influences, and challenges in the work sector.

Read the article on how to educate the future workforce.

https://www.standard.co.uk/business/how-do-we-educate-the-workforce-of-the-future-a4390596.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the workforce of the future?
  2. Do you agree or disagree that technology is revolutionizing how many sectors operate?
  3. “Some prefer more employment – labour intensive with lower pay – while others like better-paid workers to the detriment of outsiders, but with higher levels of social protection”. Which would you choose here?
  4. Do you think technological development can increase workers’ productivity and increase companies’ profits?
  5. Explain the 4 C’s human characteristics that machines cannot replicate.

Replying to a Spam Email

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Do you always check the spam folder on your email?

It is evident that most spam emails only relate to fraudulent activities. We all have learned how to avoid and protect ourselves from scams. While most of the people simply delete spam emails, James Veitch, the guy on this video did something else.

Watch the video and find out what happens when you reply to a spam email.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why is it called a spam email?
  2. Are spam emails dangerous?
  3. Can you get scammed by email?
  4. Have you tried responding to one of your spam emails?
  5. What should you do if you receive a phishing email?
  6. Can you give an instance when you got a suspicious email and what were the steps you took then?

Google Meet Video Conferencing Platform Improved

B1 – Intermediate

Video conferencing technology gives us the opportunity to communicate with our co-workers, friends, and family. It is changing rapidly over the past few years. Video conferencing is not only for business but also for education and healthcare. It boosts productivity, saves time, and reduces travel expenses.

Let’s read the article below.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2004/200429-google-meet.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How is Google Meet helpful in education and healthcare and at work?
  2. What are some improvements in the Google Meet platform?
  3. What are your experiences video conferencing?
  4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of video conferencing?
  5. How did you communicate with your family and friends during lockdown? How has it changed since things went back to normal?

Hotel Guests Information Hacked

B1 – Intermediate

Hotels are your home away from home. You book hotels when you are on holiday or business trip. To do that, you need to give them your personal information including your credit card information. But what if those information were stolen from them?

Read the transcript and listen to the audio about a hotel chain’s hacking incident.

Hotel Guests Information – level 2

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. What can businesses do to protect themselves from hacking?
  3. Talk about other people or companies whose accounts/systems have been hacked.
  4. When is hacking good and bad?
  5. If you were to hack a person or company’s account or system, who or which would it be and why? What information would you like to see?

Mobile Phones Have Killed Photography

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Photography was meant to capture the moments from the real world. Did mobile phones kill photography or have they made it easier for everyone to take photographs?

Watch the short clip below:

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree or disagree that mobiles have killed photography?
  2. Do you enjoy taking photographs? Give examples of things you like photographing.
  3. What kind of tools do you use for taking pictures? Which is the best for photography? Do you use editing apps/software?
  4. What is your opinion on filters and editing apps?
  5. Do you agree or disagree with some of Wim Wenders statements: “everyone’s a photographer”, “selfies are not photography”, and “the less you have, the more creative you become”?

Samsung’s New Foldable Phone

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Tech giant Samsung has once again created buzz around one of its new releases with the launch of the Galaxy Z Flip. Unorthodox in design, it resembles a flip phone when folded.

One Samsung executive hailed the phone’s innovative build, going so far as to say that “it changes everything.”

Listen to the audio and read the transcript to decide whether the Galaxy Z Flip truly deserves such high praise and if its features merit a hefty price tag.

Samsung Launches New Foldable ‘Flip’ Phone

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think the Galaxy Z Flip is a good buy?
  2. How often do you change your phone? What have been your reasons for switching?
  3. What features do you look for in a smartphone?

Cyber Security for the Rich and Famous

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Smartphones are used a little too much these days – from dating to traffic updates, accessing bank accounts, among others. However, the problem is that there is no perfect control against cyber attacks even rich and high-profile individuals are vulnerable.

Let’s read more about cybersecurity through this article:

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/01/25/tech/bezos-amazon-cybersecurity/index.html

Discussion Questions:

1. Why is cyber security important?

2. Do you turn on automatic updates on your smartphones?

3. How often do you change your passwords? How do you make sure your passwords are protected?

4. What are the risks associated with using public wi-fi?

5. Give some tips for protecting yourself against identity theft.