User:Vtaylor/Computers and Society/5. Employment, Education and Entertainment


 * Computers and technology are having a significant impact on work and the workplace. Thousands of people are working in jobs that did not exist ten years ago. Other jobs have changed dramatically. The workplace has changed as well. Some jobs have moved to other countries - programming and call center support, without customers being aware of the shift in many cases. Some of these changes are for the better, some not. We will look at a number of situations this week.

Learning outcomes


 * consider the impact of computers on work
 * experience video presentation and evaluate the effectiveness in education
 * understand the special needs of people with disabilities when using media
 * use the web as a research resource
 * understand the fundamentals of working collaboratively
 * discuss the educational uses of recreational technologies
 * experience group project organization and planning

Keywords


 * employment, jobs, global workforce

Study notes


 * How are computers changing jobs and the nature of work? What jobs have not changed even though technology might help them? What jobs would not exist without computers?


 * Can you think of some new types of jobs that will exist in the future that do not exist now because they need technology that does not exist yet?


 * What do you think of the idea of telework - you do not have go to a particular place to work? Do you like the idea of working from home or anywhere else?


 * Do you think employers should monitor their employees? When might it be ok?


 * What are some of the health problems associated with technology jobs?

== Selected media==

== Assignments==


 * 1) Before you start the reading and the assignments, take a few minutes to think about what you already know about the topic - Employment, Education and Entertainment. Write a sentence or two about this in the I know... discussion.


 * 1) Read the Study notes for an overview for the topics that will be covered.


 * 1) Read, view, listen to the selections in the Selected media list.


 * 1) Choose 1 words from the Keywords list. Find 3 web articles or other online media that provides information about the word and how they relates to the course. Post the word, links to your selected web articles or online media, and a brief description about your selection for each, to the discussion 'Work keywords. Follow links provided by 3 other students, review their suggested articles and media, and write a brief reply to the author for each.

.. AbilityHub - http://www.abilityhub.com .. Abledata - http://www.abledata.com/ .. Indiana University also has a site with a lot of information on AT - http://www.indiana.edu/~iuadapts/sitemap.html
 * 1) DeAnza provides support to individuals with disabilities through a broad range to resources to help them through education and training. People with disabilities are able to participate more fully in work and careers through the use of Adaptive Technology. Here are some websites with good information on Adaptive Technology.

Another instructional media is interactive content, created and delivered using technologies like ShockWave. WebAIM has created several simulations in Shockwave that demonstrate web content accessibility problems for people who have vision disabilities. http://www.webaim.org/simulations

There is a great site from Fresno State that explains (with quicktime videos!) a number of strategies to design "access-friendly" websites. http://www.calstate.edu/accessibility/resources/

Try one of the simulations. Does it work on your computer? Does the simulation give you a better understanding of the problems faced by computer users with vision disabilities? Comment on these experiences. Post a 2-3 sentence response to Disabilities and Accessibility discussion.


 * 1) Computers Games in Education and Play. Look through the games at Casual Gameplay : Best of 2006. Try out a couple and find one that you think is particularly interesting. Write 2-3 sentences about the game and social issues associated with games in education. Post the web address of the description of the game you selected and your description to the Games in Education discussion. Try a couple of the recommended games and post your thoughts about each game you reviewed.


 * 1) WikiEducator.org is a growing source of educational information being created by educators worldwide. Although a lot of the information is "work in progress" there are some really good resources here too. Search WikiEducator.org for a page on a topic of interest to you. Post a link to the page and a comment about your selection to WikiEducator educational resource discussion.


 * 1) Search the web for sites that talk about computers and education. Find a site that you think are particularly interesting. Write 2-3 sentences about the social issues discussed. Be sure to include your thoughts on why this is important. Submit the web address of the page you selected and your description to Computers and Education discussion topic for class discussion.


 * 1) For most of this course, information is in text format. However, multimedia is becoming more available. Select a YouTube video http://www.youtube.com that has some relevance to the course. Post a link to your selection and brief description to the Computers and Society video discussion.


 * 1) How can video be used in a work environment? What will it replace? What problems would result from the introduction of web-delivered video in the work place? Post a 2-3 sentence response to Video at Work discussion.


 * 1) What is one significant benefit to mankind that technology has brought to the world? Why did you select this particular technology? Submit this as your I think... assignment.