User:Vtaylor/Computers and Society/7. Evaluating and Controlling Technology

There are people who have no interest in the benefits of computers in society and believe that we, as a society, are better off without the technology.
 * This week we will be looking at some broader issues. There are many issues that are less well defined than some we have explored. What are the implications for a global society when a very small percentage of the world population has access to computers and computing, while most other people do not? Will this imbalance lead to unrest or encourage the have-not's to work harder to close the gap?

Learning outcomes


 * investigate broader issues on the impact and control of computers
 * search for web resources that address the future of computers and society
 * evaluate the sources and content
 * compare and contrast the issues discussed in the resources
 * critically examine an issue and provide a detailed analysis

Keywords


 * information sources, reliability, authentication, community, digital divide, knowledge sharing, machine intelligence, future advances and associated issues

Study notes


 * Can communities exist in cyberspace? What makes a community? Is it lonely in cyberspace?


 * Is "addiction" to the internet real? Is it a problem?


 * Is there a "digital divide"? What if anything should be done to resolve or eliminate the problem?


 * What are the implications for a global society when a very small percentage of the world population has access to computers and computing, while most other people do not? Will this imbalance lead to unrest or encourage the have-nots to work harder to close the gap?


 * Is "free" email really free?


 * What skills are being lost? What new skills are being learned or developed? Is this a reasonable trade-off?


 * What changes in human life styles are emerging? What are "good"? What are "bad"?

== 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 - Evaluating and Controlling Technology. 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 word from the Keywords list for this module. Find TWO (2) web articles that provide information about the word and how it relates to the course. Rate each article on a scale of 1 to 5. To determine the score, identify 5 characteristics of each article (good and bad). If there are 3 good things and 2 not-so-good things about the article, you give it a rating of 3/5. Do this for both articles you select. Post the word, links to your selected web articles, the article score and the list of good and not-so-good characteristics, and a brief description about your selection for each, to the discussion Controlling Technology keywords. Follow links provided by 3 other students, review their suggested articles, and write a brief reply to the author for each.


 * 1) This week we are going to be looking at the future of computers and society. In the Selected media, find an item that suggests different outcomes or directions for computers and society. This could include anything from education and work to wearable computers. Find ONE (1) that you think is particularly interesting. Write 2-3 paragraphs about the social issues discussed and why these are important.

Please provide a more detailed analysis of the topic you select. What are the important points made? Is the author providing a balanced representation of the facts? Are the conclusions reasonable? Support your argument with examples.

This should be in your own words. What do you think is important? What do you expect will result from the interactions between technology and society? Will it be good or bad? What do you hope will be the outcome? Post the web address of the item selected, a description and your analysis in the Future of Computers discussion topic.


 * 1) Read other students' post and comment on discussion Future of Computers. What questions does this raise? Provide another viewpoint or add additional information. Your responses should be 2-3 sentences.


 * 1) Simulations are great learning tools. Find an example of a simulation on the web. There are lots of simulations listed in the educational resource MERLOT http://www.merlot.org web site. Post the web address and brief description to Simulations discussion.

http://www.collegeopentextbooks.org/opentextbookcontent/open-textbooks-by-subject.html Take a look through the textbook. What do you think? Would you use a book like this? Is the difference in cost between published textbooks these books important to you? Are any of your instructor using open textbooks in their classes? If so, which ones? Post a link to the open textbook you select and your comments to the Open Textbooks discussion.
 * 1) Open textbooks - most are free in their electronic format, and many only cost $30-50 for the print version. Look through the list of Open Textbooks and pick one for a topic of interest to you or for an actual class.

http://www.wikieducator.org/DeAnza_College/CIS2/Great_Technologies_List
 * 1) There are so many web services and technologies available for free, it is important to have a current list for reference. One technology is the wiki that can be used by anyone. For this collaborative writing assignment, the Great Technologies List can be edited by everyone. Add 2-3 technologies to the list. Include your initials after your entries (eg. ..vt).


 * 1) Reflection - How is your Final Project coming along? Would this assignment be better if there was LESS time to complete it? Would everyone have to stay focused on the project and contribute sooner? Could all the work be done in fewer weeks? What can YOU do differently to contribute to your success in this project? This should be one or two paragraphs. Submit your response in the I think... assignment.