Tutor profile: Allison B.

What tools can an individual use to judge the difference between a fake Web site and an authentic one?

There are several tools an individual can use to judge the difference between a fake Web site and an authentic one. One is to look at the domain name: check the extension (.com, .net, .org, and so on). Authoritative Web sites typically appear with .com, .gov, and .edu. That is not inclusive but a good starting point. Another is to look at the inside of the Web site, not just the front page. Read the content, validate the content. Look at the contact page, address information: is it accurate? Verify the Web site's privacy policy. Watch for misspellings or strange spellings of the Web sites title. Often times fake Web sites will use a clever twist on the title of their Web site to trick the user into thinking it's actually authoritative and authentic.

How can we predict what information technology will be like 30 years from now?

We can only attempt to predict what information technology will be like 30 years from now through data-driven research, because the future is unknown. We would start looking at past trends in technology -- as far back as possible because this will render a rich set of data to analyze and parse for this prediction. We would also reflect on history: societal influences on technology, equity, equality, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, interoperability, and usability (to name a few). We would perform queries to see who else in the past have conducted such a prediction -- what were the approaches, models, findings? By using the authoritative information available, research skills, critical thinking, analysis, and project planning, we can give a best guess as to what information technology will be like 30 years from now.

In what ways can we express ourselves when we don’t know another’s language?

I can think of many ways to express ourselves when we don't know another's language. For example, through body language! Think of trying communicate that a drink is too cold while at a restaurant in a foreign country. What do you do? Try pointing to a cold drink and simulating a cold shiver (shaking of the body, the mouth/lips, rubbing hands up and down the arms for warmth while also frowning & shaking your head) or, inversely, pointing at a hot drink and simulating being very hot (fanning yourself, dripping faux sweat off the brow, while also frowning & shaking your head). Music is another example and always has been a universal language -- the rhythm and beats alone speak for themselves, no words needed. Combine the two -- body language and music -- and you've reached universal language capability (basically)!