Week 1 discussion
DQ1
What is technology?
Instructions for this discussion topic
Review each of the following resources and respond to the
questions posed below. In this course, it is a good practice to take notes on
the videos and readings so that you can begin to integrate the concepts covered
in each. This will also be helpful when you take your quizzes.
Overview of the historical impact of technology
Kelly, K. (2009).Technology’s epic story. Available at:
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/kevin_kelly_tells_technology_s_epic_story.html
Diamond, J. (May 1, 1987). The worst mistake in the history
of the human race. Discover Magazine, 64-66. Available at:
http://discovermagazine.com/1987/may/02-the-worst-mistake-in-the-history-of-the-human-race#.Uu73L_ldWSo
Some technologies that have helped to change the world
Anthony, D. W. (1994). Moving life forward. Faces
(07491387), 11(1), 14. Available at:
http://ezproxy.umuc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f5h&AN=9410050431&site=eds-live&scope=site
Popular Mechanics (n.d.). 101 Gadgets that changed the
world. Available at:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/reviews/101-gadgets-that-changed-the-world#slide-1
Dvorsky, G. (2012). Ten inventions that changed the world in
ways we didn’t expect. Available at:
http://io9.com/5951267/10-inventions-that-changed-the-world-in-ways-we-didnt-expect
Discussion questions:
1) Based on the
resources provided above, how would you define technology? Be sure to use your
own words!
2) What are some
of the key points made by Kevin Kelly regarding the role of technology in the
evolution of humanity? Do you agree with his main arguments? Why or why not?
3) According to
Diamond, what is the worst mistake in the history of the human race? What does
this mistake have to do with technology and society?
4) What do you
think are the top 3 most important technologies of all time? Justify your
choices.
5) What is your
own favorite technology? Explain your choice.
Remember that in order to earn full credit for discussion
participation, you are to must respond fully to every question and submit your
best writing. Remember that you must respond to at least two of your classmates
before the end of the academic week.
Your responses to the discussion and to your classmates are
due on Sunday evening at 11:59 PM EST. Manage your time wisely so that you do
not incur a late penalty (refer to the syllabus). Time passes quickly in an 8
week course. Don’t procrastinate!
DQ2
Black out!
On July 30, 2012, the world’s biggest blackout took place in
India when three major power grids collapsed. To learn more about the story,
visit:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57483166/india-blackout-worsens-620m-in-dark/
How do you think you would survive a power blackout?
Although it may seem a little counter-intuitive, we are
going to start our consideration of technology in modern society by removing
technology from our modern lives. This
will lay an important foundation for the remainder of the course. This week,
you are to pick one 24-hour period in which you avoid technology as much as
possible. This includes the use of the following:
Cell phone and handheld devices
Computers, laptops, tablets
Television
Video games
Smart phones
iPods, MP3, radio
any other mobile device
Stove/Oven/Microwave
Dishwasher
For an extra challenge: start your day by filling large
containers with as much water as you think you might be able to haul from a
river or outside well and use only that water throughout the day instead of
relying on water from tap.
Obviously, if you must use any of these devices to perform
your job or to keep children safe and healthy, you may do so. You may use
kitchen appliances to prepare your meals (I don't want your family to go
hungry!) and turn your air conditioning or heat on to keep your family
comfortable, but during your blackout day, avoid as much modern technology as
possible while you are at home. Be very mindful of the technologies that you
use or avoid during the day and how this impacts your ability to function. The
objective of this exercise is to help you to appreciate the ways in which
technology impacts your functioning in everyday life. If you have other family
members, see if they will participate with you and use this opportunity to talk
about how technology impacts your life as a family.
After you have completed your blackout period, respond to
the following questions in 2-3
paragraphs:
What technologies were you aware of using that past
generations did not have? How do these technologies impact your life?
What technologies did you give up during your blackout?
What did you miss the most and why?
How did the absence of these devices impact you in the home,
workplace and other areas of your life?
Throughout the week, please respond substantively to at
least 2 classmates for this discussion topic.
Week 2 discussion
DQ1
Accessibility of
Technology: In Their Shoes
In this discussion activity, you will attempt to use the
Internet via screen reader software and will compare/contrast this experience
with using the Internet visually in order to analyze the way that technology
has or has not lived up to the expectation of equalizing information-sharing.
*IMPORTANT NOTE: If
you are a student who has a visual disability and who already uses a screen
reader program, please consider completing this assignment using a screen
reader program that is different from yours and/or by visiting websites to
which you do not normally go.
Steps:
Review some of the leading screen-reader software available
to individuals who are blind or low-vision today:
http://www.afb.org/prodmain.asp
Select a free screen reader program for your phone, tablet,
or computer to use for this Activity:
http://www.screenreader.net/index.php?pageid=11
http://webanywhere.cs.washington.edu/wa.php
http://www.readspeaker.com/
http://usabilitygeek.com/10-free-screen-reader-blind-visually-impaired-users/
Turning off your monitor, and using only the screen reader
program and your speakers, navigate to your top 5 favorite websites and attempt
to use each, noting your experience as you go.
Keep track of missed links, content that does not work with the screen
reader, and any difficulties you encounter.
Make one of your visits to a website with a lot of video
content – could you access the video with the screen reader?
Try to access a website to which you have never been before
– keep similar notes.
Then, access a disability organization’s website – any of
your choice, but several are listed here:
www.aapd.com
www.afb.org
http://www.unitedspinal.org/
http://ncil.org/
Analyze your experience with each website and respond to the
following questions
Did you notice differences in the websites?
What did you find frustrating about this activity?
What would you recommend to make this experience easier?
Do you think that you would have an easier time navigating
with a screen reader program if you had more experience using it, or were there
other factors?
How does this activity alter your perspective on the
experience of the visually impaired and those with other physical impairments
that make technology use a challenge?
Remember, in order to earn full participation credit for
this discussion topic, you must respond substantively to at least 2 classmates
throughout the week.
DQ2
Reenvisioning the
Educational System
Watch the following fascinating perspective on education:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U
(Note: you may want to take notes!)
Respond to the following items in 2-3 well-written
paragraphs. Once you have responded, read and respond to the ideas of at least
2 of your classmates during the week. Refer to the syllabus for guidelines on
discussion participation.
Summarize three main points you took away from this
presentation.
Visit the following website identifying the top educational
systems in the
world:http://www.ncee.org/programs-affiliates/center-on-international-education-benchmarking/top-performing-countries/
Take a look at 3 or more of these countries and briefly describe why these
systems are so successful. Do you see any commonalities across these systems?
Given what you have learned this week about the social
sciences, education, and the transformative effect of technology on learning
and development, propose an educational model for the future. What do you think
should stay the same, what should change, and what role does technology play in
helping to implement your model? What are the potential consequences (positive
and negative) of the changes you propose?
Week 3 discussion
DQ1
The changing nature
of intimate relationships
View and read the videos and readings provided for
Discussion Topic 5 and complete the following questions as a response to this
topic.
1) Briefly
summarize the main points made in the resource list for this discussion. Focus
particularly on the works of Turkle (video), Broadbent (video), Janssen et al
(2014), and Malt (2007).
2) Integrating
what you have read/viewed, how has technology changed the nature of social
relationships in people of all ages. How has it changed the manner in which
“relationship work” is conducted? Are
relationships and our sense of self weakened or strengthened by technology? How
do you feel about these changes? (Be sure to cite the authors you reference in
your response.)
Your response should be several paragraphs in length. Be
sure to use your best writing skills and proofread your work. Once you have
posted your response, respond to the work of at least two classmates to earn
full participation credit.
DQ2
Online social
identity and what it says about us
1) Briefly summarize
the main points from the readings/resources for Discussion Topic 6.
2) Activity:
a. Conduct an
Internet search on your own name and email addresses. Be sure to include
nicknames or other names that you have used in the past. You may want to
include screen names or avatar names. What, if anything, do your screen names
and email addresses say about you?
b. Also use
keywords that pull for publicly available information such as tax records,
bankruptcy, marital status, criminal background, and court proceedings. Try to
find private information about yourself including phone numbers, records about
children, and work history.
3) Reflection:
Respond to the following questions in your response to this discussion topic
What information did you find about yourself? Were you
surprised by what you found? Did you find things about yourself that you would
rather keep private?
The information that you found on the Web creates a
perception of who you are. We can think of this as your “online social
identity.” What does your online identity say about you? What might a hiring
manager, supervisor, friends, and loved ones think about the online image you
have created?
4) McWhorter’s
(video) entertaining discussion about texting suggests that language is
evolving before our very eyes and is a nuanced and legitimate form of
communication. Irvine’s article supports
this idea, noting that the modalities of communication used by young people
have changed as the result of available technologies. Yet, future employers and
college professors emphasize the importance of formal, unemotional writing as
essential to presenting a proper and professional social identity. Referencing the resources for Discussion Topic
6, do you think that employers and educators are wrong in their strict
expectations of formal communication? Why or why not? What do you think is the
proper place for new “languages” that have evolved in tandem with technology
(e.g. txting, L33T speak, emoticons, etc.)?
Remember to respond to at least 2 classmates throughout the
week. I have toyed with the idea of letting people search on classmate names,
but thought that might be a little too invasive. Still, this is publicly
available information. If you have thoughts about the social image created by
your classmates as reported by them, let them know. Be diplomatic, be kind, be
helpful, but be honest.
Week 4 discussion
DQ1
Technology and the
changing nature of work
The following resources are also listed under Week Four
Learning Resources for your convenience*
For this discussion, watch the following videos:
1. Erik Brynjolgsson (2013) The key to growth, race with the
machines available at:
http://new.ted.com/talks/erik_brynjolfsson_the_key_to_growth_race_em_with_em_the_machines
2. Robert Gordon (Feb, 2013): The Death of Innovation, the
End of Growth. http://new.ted.com/talks/robert_gordon_the_death_of_innovation_the_end_of_growth
And read the following articles:
1. Ronne, J. (2015). What technological advancements will
most affect our lives in the semi-near future? Retrieved from:
https://www.quora.com/What-technological-advancements-will-most-affect-our-lives-in-the-semi-near-future
2. Newman, R. (2012). Ten businesses that will boom in 2020.
http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2012/09/10/10-businesses-that-will-boom-in-2020
3. Boston.com (n.d.) Thirty fastest- growing jobs by 2020.
Available at: http://www.boston.com/jobs/2013/12/30/top-fastest-growing-jobs/TFcyHJvsq47aqcdQb8K18J/story.html
4. Boston.com (n.d.). Thirty of the fastest declining
occupations. Available at:
http://www.boston.com/jobs/2013/12/30/the-fastest-declining-occupations/PRZVnJg25iIBgJFyv70BxN/story.html
Discussion questions:
What does Erik Brynjolfsson say about productivity and
income? How does Brynjolfsson say that people can find gainful employment if
they have to compete against technology? (1-2 sentences)
What does Robert Gordon say about productivity and
innovation? (1-2 sentences)
Brynjolfsson and Gordon present contrasting viewpoints on
productivity in the US, but both agree that worker incomes have fallen. Looking
forward, do you side with Brynjolfsson’s optimism or Gordon’s pessimism about
technology’s impact on the worker and why?
What do you think will happen to income and standard of living in the
decades to come?
Visit the Occupational Outlook Handbook at:
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/. In the search box, type in name of the career you that
you hope to pursue. Depending on how specific the career is, you may be given
several links as options or you may be taken directly to a summary page. Once
on the summary page, pay special attention to the information about job outlook
for the next ten years.
What career did you choose?
How many jobs currently exist for this career?
What is the expected job outlook for this career?
How do you think your chosen career will be impacted by
technology?
Remember to respond substantively to at least 2 other
classmates during the week to earn full participation credit.
DQ2
Technology and
Work-Life balance
The following resources are also listed under Week 4 content
for your convenience* Read the articles below:
1. Kumar, H., & Chakraborty, S. (2013). Work life
balance (WLB): A key to organizational efficiency. Aweshkar Research Journal,
15(1), 62-70. Retrieved from:
http://ezproxy.umuc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=86442529&site=eds-live&scope=site
2. Smith, J. (Jun 3, 2013). The best big companies for
work-life balance. Forbes. Retrieved from:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/06/03/the-best-big-companies-for-work-life-balance/
3. Tobak, S. (Jul 24, 2013). The work-life balance myth.
Retrieved from:
http://www.foxbusiness.com/business-leaders/2013/07/24/work-life-balance-myth/
Discussion questions:
Using your own words, define “work-life” balance.
Based on what you have read, why is work-life balance
important (cite sources as appropriate) for individuals as well as
organizations?
Based on what you have read, what are some effective
strategies for improving work-life balance?
What different approaches might anthropologists, gerontologists,
and sociologists take regarding work-life balance? In other words, what issues
arise regarding work-life imbalance might be of particular interest to each of
these social sciences?
Throughout the week, remember to respond substantively to at
least 2 classmates in order to receive full credit for participation.
Week 5 discussion
DQ1
The Digital Divide
Review the materials for this discussion and respond to the
following questions:
Does the existence of a digital divide violate the
Declaration of Human Rights? If so, which articles do you think are violated?
Should the Internet be a right? Defend your position. What
are the costs and benefits associated with your position? What policies or laws
might be affected by your position?
Is it possible to close the digital divide? Defend your
position.
How might technology be used to close the divide?
Remember to respond to at least 2 classmates this week to
earn full participation credit.
DQ2
Copyright versus
creativity
Respond to the following questions:
1) Briefly describe your understanding of copyright, fair
use, and creative commons. How do these terms relate to one another?
2) How does Lessig say that laws make criminals of today’s
technology proficient children? Do you agree with him? Why or why not?
3) You have a blog that has become very popular with friends
and strangers. They tell you that you are a great storyteller and a fantastic
photographer and should write a book of your adventures. You decide to self-publish a book of the
stories and pictures you documented on your last trip and hope to make a little
money from this venture. The book will be available in electronic form, so your
pictures will be easy to “borrow” online. Would you apply for a copyright, a
Creative Commons copyright, or no copyright at all? What is your reasoning?
4) A nice decision tree about copyright is available at the
following link:
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson1085/CanIUseIt.pdf.
Question: At the bottom of the .pdf, you’ll note that the work has been
copyrighted. Does this mean that sharing this link with you as part of this
discussion is a violation of copyright? Why or why not?
Week 6 discussion
DQ1
Stem Cells
Technological advances have made it possible for scientists
and practitioners to expand life expectancy and improve quality of life. Some
of these advances are not without controversy. One such area that has generated
ethical debate is that of stem cell research.
In this conference, you will explore what stem cell research
is, and the controversy surrounding it. Stem cell research is an excellent
example of the interdisciplinary impact of technology on society. Beyond the
philosophical questions raised regarding the nature of human life, stem cell
research also generates debate at the policy level.
1) Before you
read the following, record what your current understanding of stem cells is.
2) After reviewing
the learning resources for this discussion topic, respond to the following questions
(use your own words):
What are stem cells?
Why are stem cells considered important? What are they
capable of doing?
Explain the difference between adult and embryonic stem
cells.
What are the controversies inherent in stem cell research?
Does the information in this discussion topic alter your
original ideas about stem cells?
Your response to these items should be 2-3 paragraphs in
length in total. In order to receive full credit, remember to respond
substantively to at least 2 classmates throughout the week.
As with all controversial issues, thoughtful discussion is
encouraged, but it is important to be respectful of the opinions of others and
to express yourself in ways that are not inflammatory or deliberately
provocative.
DQ2
Longevity, public
health, medical technology
The average life expectancy (LE) in 1900 was 47 years of
age. In 2008, the average LE in the US was 80 years, and by 2020, the US Census
Bureau projects that the average LE will be 79.5 years. Life expectancy in the
US differs by sex and race. Women live about 5 years longer than men, and
whites live about 4 years longer than African-Americans. (Source:
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012/tables/12s0105.pdf)
At the population level, increased life expectancy has been
attributed to two major factors related to technology. Public health measures
such as vaccinations and water treatment have added 25-30 years to our life
expectancy while medical advances have added about 5 years. These measures have
significantly reduced the incidence of infant mortality and allowed people to
be healthier well into their 70’s, 80’s and beyond. (Source:
https://www.census.gov/prod/1/pop/p23-190/p23190-g.pdf)
Part 1: Take the following online survey:
http://www.livingto100.com/calculator/age
Take note of the questions being asked in the survey and
consider the factors that might impact your longevity. (NOTE: The survey does
ask you to provide an email address and create a password as the calculator is
regularly updated to account for new research findings. If you have strenuous
objections to providing your email address you can create a dummy account
through a free email provider or contact the instructor for an alternate
writing assignment. )
Part 2: At the level of the individual, genetic and
environmental factors help to predict how long a person will live. For this discussion topic, review the
following (embedded in the discussion topic #12 area):
1) (article) Zeliadt,
N. (July 1, 2010). Live long and proper: Genetic factors associated with
increased longevity identified. Scientific American. Retrieved from:
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=genetic-factors-associated-with-increased-longevity-identified
2) (video) DeGrey, A.
(2009). The economics of immortality. Retrieved from
http://bigthink.com/videos/the-economics-of-immortality (7:17)
3) (short story) Vonnegut, K. (1953). The big trip up
yonder. Retrieved from: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/30240/30240-h/30240-h.htm
Respond to the following questions:
Share your survey results – what is your predicted life
expectancy? What factors contributed to your longevity (or lack thereof)?
Briefly summarize 1-2 points made in each of the resources
in Part 2. Limit your summary to 1-3 sentences per resource. Your summaries
need not be exhaustive – just tell us
what you found to be the “take home” message for each resource.
What are the economic, sociological, psychological, and
healthcare implications of an aging population that could live indefinitely?
What role does technology play in health across the
lifespan? How does it keep us from being healthy? How does it promote health?
(If you are having trouble answering this question, the optional resources
below may be helpful)
How long do you think we should live? Should we live
indefinitely or should there be limits? Justify your response.
In order to receive full credit for this conference, remember
to respond substantively to at least 2 classmates throughout the week.
Optional additional resources that may help you to answer
conference questions (or find some resources of your own!):
Berkley (2003) – Are biotech foods safe to eat? (http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=52295)
Centers for Disease Control (2011) – Four specific health
behaviors contribute to a longer life (http://www.cdc.gov/Features/LiveLonger/
)
Dye (2012) – Living longer: Increasing lifespan may be in our
control
(http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/humans-live-forever-longevity-research-suggests-longer-life/story?id=17100148)
Olshansky et al (2005) – A potential decline in life
expectancy in the United States in the 21st century (http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMsr043743#t=article)
Giuliano (2011) - Public health longevity developments –
focus on foods
(http://www.anti-agingfirewalls.com/2011/01/23/public-health-longevity-developments-%E2%80%93-focus-on-foods/)
Health Canada (2008) – website on biotechnology and food in
Canada (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/sr-sr/biotech/food-aliment/index-eng.php )
Meer & Misner (2008) – Biotechnology and food
(http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/health/az1066.pdf )
Milstrey (2011) – Longevity technology will transform mankind
(http://www.usforacle.com/longevity-technology-will-transform-mankind-1.2651047)
Shah (2007) – Public health meets mobile technology (http://www.cdc.gov/news/2007/03/mobiletech_main.html
)
Virginia Assistive Technology System (n.d.) - Assistive technology and aging (http://www.vda.virginia.gov/pdfdocs/Assistive%20Technology%20&%20Aging%20-%20All.pdf)
Week 7 discussion
DQ1
The cost of readily
available entertainment
The Internet has created numerous ways for the public to
obtain music without paying for it even though this activity violates copyright
law (Note: Interestingly, it is rather difficult to find Internet sites in
favor of anti-piracy laws. Think about why this might be the case.). The
Internet also provides numerous ways for artists to promote tours, new music,
and memorabilia.
Review the Discussion 13 learning resources regarding online
piracy and respond to the questions that follow:
How have the ways that people access and purchase music
changed over the years and what role has technology played?
What are the ethical concerns related to accessing
entertainment and what, if anything, has been done to address these concerns?
Are the claims of the motion picture and music industries
justified? Do you think the Internet has created more harm than good to artists
in the music and entertainment industries? Why or why not?
Do you think the power of the Internet, social media, and
crowdfunding are likely to change how entertainment is created and financed in
the future? Why or why not?
Remember to respond to at least 2 classmates during the week
in order to earn full participation credit.
DQ2
Technology and child
development
Review the Discussion 14 Learning Resources and respond to
the questions that follow.
1. According to researchers, what are the potential
consequences of tablet technology on the physical, cognitive and social development
of children?
2. Let’s pretend you have a friend with a 1 year old and a 5
year old. She asks you for your opinion as to whether she should allow either
of her kids to use her iPad to plays educational games. Based on what you have
learned from this week's learning resources, compose a message to her with what
you think are the pros and cons. Include some recommendations. Your response
should be 2-3 paragraphs long and should outline some of the things you learned
from the discussion resources.
Remember to respond to at least 2 classmates during the week
to earn full participation credit.
Quiz 1
Question 1
Which of the following is not considered a social science?
biochemistry
physical anthropology
gerontology
sociology
Question 2
Which of the following is considered the newest social
science?
political science
sociology
gerontology
history
Question 3
Which of the following social scientists is most likely to
study evolution?
Sociologist
Gerontologist
Social Psychologist
Anthropologist
Question 4
Which of the following social scientists are most likely to
study attraction and intimacy?
Gerontologist
Sociologist
Social psychologist
Cultural anthropologist
Question 5
Which famous social scientist advocated for revolution as a
way to counteract the oppression caused by industrialization and capitalism?
Durkheim
Weber
Marx
Simmel
Question 6
Since 1900, life expectancy has increased by about:
10 years
20 years
30 years
40 year
Question 7
Most of the increase in life expectancy since 1900’s is due
to advances in medical technology.
True
False
Question 8
A 2009 US Department of Education report found that students
achieve best in face to face classrooms rather than fully online classrooms.
True
False
Question 9
The first type of distance learning was:
telecourses
correspondence courses
online courses
MOOC's
Question 10
Distance learning opportunities are most likely to be
appealing to:
full time workers
stay at home moms
the disabled
all of the above
Quiz 2
Question 1
Which social science discipline is most likely to study the
origins of language by studying artifacts?
Sociology
Gerontology
Psychology
Anthropology
Question 2
The birth of telecommunications was marked by the work of:
Guglielmo Marconi
Samuel Morse
Johannes Gutenburg
Alexander Graham Bell
Question 3
The precursor to the Internet was called:
WWW
Web 1.0
IntelNET
ARPANET
Question 4
Emoticons have been in use since:
The 70's
The 80's
The 90's
The 2000's
Question 5
The Michelangelo virus had a significant impact on society
because:
Computer sales dropped significantly in its aftermath
It raised awareness among users of the potential dangers of
Internet use
It infected millions of personal computers
All of the above
Question 6
Which of the following best describes the characteristics of
Web 3.0:
Objective
Rational
Analytical
Deductive
Question 7
Which of the following is best characterized as “static” and
“unidirectional?”
Web 1.0
Web 2.0
Web 3.0
Web 4.0
Question 8
“Ambient Intimacy” is the illusion of intimacy created by
online interaction.
True
False
Question 9
According to psychologist Sherry Turkle, which of the
following is a major shortcoming of too much online interaction?
Online friendships are more demanding than real life
friendships.
It forces us to spend too much time in contemplation and
solitude.
We no longer learn from our social mistakes that are made in
real life interactions because online communications can be edited and
perfected.
All of the above
Question 10
According to linguist McWhorter, texting is not a legitimate
language.
True
False
Quiz
3
Question 1
Which of the following happened because of the Bronze Age?
Man was able to build permanent structures
Man was able to build fire for the first time
Man became a hunter-gatherer
All of the above
Question 2
The domestication of animals was important because
They provided labor
They provided a food source
They allowed man to establish permanent settlements
All of the above
Question 3
Which of the following social structures/institutions did
not emerge as a direct result of the early civilization of man and the
establishment of permanent settlements?
Religion
Government and a system of laws
Social classes
Labor unions
Question 4
What technological advancement allowed for the civilization
of Europe?
The long bow
The steam engine
Money
The ancient plow
Question 5
The Middle Ages (or Dark Ages) was a time of very little
technological progress
True
False
Question 6
Merchant guilds were important because
They were anti-union
They regulated prices and quality standards to protect their
members
They adhered to the notion of “every man for himself”
All of the above
Question 7
The five day work week came about due to concerns raised by:
Women’s rights advocates
Children’s rights advocates
Religious advocates
Environmental advocates
Question 8
Which of the following is not true of the family structure
during Industrialization?
Women became more domesticated
The amount of space per family increased because wages were
higher in the city than in the country
The size of the average family decreased
The number of multigenerational families decreased
Question 9
Since 1850, the number of hours that the average person
works per week has:
Stayed the same
Decreased
Increased slightly
Increased dramatically
Question 10
Which of the following is true about work-life balance in
the US:
The OECD ranks the US among the top 3 countries in managing
work-life balance
Single women manage work-life balance as well as married
women
We are working more hours than ever before
The amount of leisure time in the US has increased steadily
since 1900
Quiz 4
Question 1
According to the Constitutional Rights Foundation, both
Plato and Aristotle believed that it was possible for an ideal political state
to exist.
True
False
Question 2
The principle of "one person, one vote" is the
cornerstone of which type of government?
Democracy
Monarchy
Republic
Oligarchy
Question 3
The work of the founding fathers made the United States what
type of government?
Democracy
Socialist
Republic
Dictatorship
Question 4
The first code of law is attributed to:
Plato
Hammurabi
Aristotle
Pre-civilized man
Question 5
Which of the following is NOT true about the role of
agriculture?
It is not truly a technology because it did not contribute
to the progression of humankind
It led to a greater focus on smaller social units like the
family and the individual
It led to the development of a specialized society because
not everyone could work in the fields
It created a sustainable source of food that led to
population growth
Question 6
The social institution of “government” evolved as a means to
manage an increasingly more specialized society.
True
False
Question 7
One major reason that feudalism fell was a work shortage
that occurred due to the loss of almost a third of the population of Europe
from the Bubonic Plague.
True
False
Question 8
Who first stated that the rights of man included the right
to life and liberty?
John Locke
Jean Jacques Rousseau
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Paine
Question 9
Which of the following important pieces of legislation is
NOT associated with improving access for people with disabilities?
The Tech Act of 1998
The ADA
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation act
SOPA
Question 10
Web activism allows individuals to begin social movements
that can lead to political change.
True
False
Quiz 5
Question 1
The only source of stem cells is embryonic tissue.
True
False
Question 2
The oldest documented record of medical practice comes from:
Socrates
Aristotle
Hippocrates
Imhotep
Question 3
The first medical school in the United States was founded
during:
The Age of Enlightenment
The Middle Ages
The Revolutionary War
The Reformation
Question 4
The scientist who discovered that exposure to a mild form of
pox protected people from a more severe form of pox was:
Leeuwenhoek
Jenner
Semmelweiss
Pasteur
Question 5
All but which of the following are famous for advocating
that better health is possible by decreasing the spread of germs?
Ignaz Semmelweiss
Edward Jenner
Florence Nightingale
Joseph Lister
Question 6
By 2023, the chronic illness that is likely to increase the
most (in terms of percentage) is:
cancer
diabetes
mental disorders
stroke
Question 7
Which is not a consequence of the advent of the birth
control pill?
A stabilization of the nuclear family
Older, more financially stable mothers
Fewer births (lower birth rate)
A rise in infertility problems
Question 8
The process that results in the creation of an animal that
is the exact genetic copy of another is called:
introcytoplasmic injection
in vitro fertilization
cloning
stem cell regeneration
Question 9
Which disease led to a movement towards public water
sanitation?
smallpox
anthrax
cholera
pellagra
Question 10
Which of the following is true about the US health care
system?
The US has the highest infant mortality rate of any
developed nation
The life expectancy of the average US citizen is higher than
that of any other developed nation.
US health primary and preventative care is considered the
best in the world
The US has more physicians per capita than any other
developed country
Quiz 6
Question 1
In ancient times, story tellers were considered to be of
lowly status.
True
False
Question 2
The Internet has made it possible for anyone with an
Internet connection to see the Dead Sea Scrolls up close.
True
False
Question 3
Ancient Egyptians are famous for a stiff and formal style of
artwork known as:
Frontalism
Impressionism
Illumination
Trompe l’oeil
Question 4
Religion was a main artistic theme for every era but which
of the following?
The Rococo Period
The Gothic Era
The Baroque Period
The Carolingian Era
Question 5
The Industrial Revolution gave rise to a preoccupation with
consumerism and materialism that was evident in which type of art?
Romanticism
Art Nouveau
Impressionism
Surrealism
Question 6
The first person to use an early form of the camera called
the camera obscura was:
Aristotle
Euclid
Alhazen
Niepce
Question 7
Gregorian chants are recognizable because they are:
Monophonic
Accompanied by instruments
Secular in nature
All of the above
Question 8
Which of the following is NOT true about the piano:
The modern keyboard was invented during the Renaissance
The expansion of the keyboard from 5 octaves to 8 octaves
enabled composers to write music that highlighted exceptional musical skill
The keyboard was important to the development of polyphony
The development of quality steel and cast iron during the
Industrial Revolution greatly improved piano construction
Question 9
Which of the following happened as the result of sound
mixing technology in the 1980’s?
Performers no longer needed to perform flawlessly in order
to have a high quality recording
The ability to perform in front of a live audience became
more important
Production time increased because sound mixing technology
was more complicated and labor intensive than having musicians in the recording
studio
Larger sound studios were needed to accommodate more
musicians
Question 10
According to Daphne Bavelier (video):
Older adults do not like gaming
The average gamer is 21 years old
Adult gamers can detect the movements of 6 to 7 rapidly
moving targets compared with the average adult who can only track 3 to 4
Adult gamers have reduced vision due to eye strain
Presentation Progress
Report
At the end of Week 6, you are to submit a progress report
that demonstrates that you have been working towards your final presentation.
Your progress report should be 1-3 pages in length and include the following:
A well-written paragraph that states in detail what your
topic is. Be sure to clearly link your topic to both technology and
society/societal trends.
A well-written paragraph that identifies the type of
presentation you plan to give (e.g. slideshow, written materials, podcast,
YouTube, etc.). Your presentation should be creative, engaging, and
informative. Remember that in the last week of class, YOU become the teachers.
Think about your audience and how to present material in an interesting and
clear manner.
A preliminary outline that shows what will you address in
your presentation. You may provide an actual outline, or describe in words the
approach you will take. Use the rubric for the final presentation to help you
structure your outline. Your outline and presentation should include the following components:
Define your topic, linking it to technology and society
Trace the history of your topic
Describe how your topic compares to at least one other
culture
Identify relevant policies related to your topic
Discuss future trends related to your topic
Reference summaries
Create a reference list of at least 5 scholarly sources that
you will use in your presentation. References should use APA format (6th
edition). For assistance with APA format, visit the UMUC library site at the
following link: http://www.umuc.edu/library/libhow/apa_examples.cfm
Finding scholarly sources
Being an informed consumer of social research is an
important skill. At UMUC, we are fortunate to have access to an extensive
collection of journals, periodicals and books, but what do you do when you don’t
have an academic library? Google it, of course! Google Scholar is readily
available to anyone with access to the Internet. Simply open www.google.com and
click the “More” tab at the top of the page, then click on “Google Scholar” and
type in your search words.
For this part of the applied final project, you will use the
UMUC library databases or Google Scholar to:
Locate 5 scholarly or credible sources on your chosen topic
Locate at least 1 article that addresses your topic from the
perspective of a different country or culture
Locate at least 1 article related to policy (i.e. what
policies exist, are being considered, or are needed to address your issue)
What is a scholarly or credible source? For your project,
you should be relying on sources that have credibility. Appropriate sources
would be articles written by experts in the field, articles found in
peer-reviewed journals, published documents from well-known research
groups (e.g. Pew Research), and reports
published by government agencies (e.g. NIH, CDC). Inappropriate sources would
include popular websites (e.g. about.com, ehow.com, Wikipedia) or media outlets
(e.g. Fox, MSNBC, WSJ, NY Times, Forbes, etc.). These sources do not always
accurately report their findings and are sometimes prone to bias. If a website
or article fails to report the credentials of the author and does not provide
citations for the information contained in the article, chances are it is not a
scholarly source and therefore should not be used.
For more information, the UMUC Library has more information
on how to evaluate your sources available at: http://www.umuc.edu/library/libhow/how_evaluate.cfm
Submit a summary of each article using the worksheet that
follows. In your own words, identify the key findings of the article. Do not
simply state what the article was about (e.g. "This article talks about
cyberbullying."). What specific information did you learn from your
source? (e.g. "Cyberbullying has become a popular means of abuse among
teenagers, affecting about half of all young people.") The purpose of this
summary is to prove that you have actually read and understood each of your
sources. Your summaries should be 2-3 paragraphs in length. Do NOT simply copy
and paste the abstract or any other part of your source! This is plagiarism and
is a violation of university policy that can result in being reported to the
Dean’s office.
The purpose of this assignment is to 1) ensure that you are
using appropriate, scholarly sources, and 2) to make sure you are on track for your
final presentation to the class.
Complete and save the worksheet as a document or .pdf and
submit as an attachment in the Assignments area.
|
Reference 1 –
Cross-cultural reference
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|
Citation in APA format (2 pts)
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|
|
Key
findings (6 pts)
In 2-3 paragraphs,
summarize the main findings in your source.
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|
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How do you know that this is a credible/scholarly source? (2
pts)
|
|
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Reference 2 – Policy
reference
|
|
Citation in APA format (2 pts)
|
|
|
Key
findings (6 pts)
In 2-3 paragraphs,
summarize the main findings in your source.
|
|
|
How do you know that this is a credible/scholarly source? (2
pts)
|
|
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Reference 3
|
|
Citation in APA format (2 pts)
|
|
|
Key
findings (6 pts)
In 2-3 paragraphs,
summarize the main findings in your source.
|
|
|
How do you know that this is a credible/scholarly source? (2
pts)
|
|
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Reference 4
|
|
Citation in APA format (2 pts)
|
|
|
Key
findings (6 pts)
In 2-3 paragraphs,
summarize the main findings in your source.
|
|
|
How do you know that this is a credible/scholarly source? (2
pts)
|
|
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Reference 5
|
|
Citation in APA format (2 pts)
|
|
|
Key
findings (6 pts)
In 2-3 paragraphs,
summarize the main findings in your source.
|
|
|
How do you know that this is a credible/scholarly source? (2
pts)
|
|
Final project
Creating the presentation
• Presentations
and discussion questions are due on
Monday evening of Week 8 by 11:59 PM EST.Refer to the syllabus for the
grading rubric. Your presentations will be graded according to how well the
presentation satisfies each of the requirements.
• Your
presentation should take about 10-15 minutes for your classmates to view or
review.
o If you
are narrating your presentation, using a video, or providing a podcast, this
time limit is self-explanatory.
o If you
are submitting an unnarrated slide show (PowerPoint or Prezi), provide notes or
a transcript to help your viewer understand what they are viewing.
o If you
are submitting a paper, keep in mind that one double spaced page takes about 3
minutes to read, so your paper should be about 3-5 double-spaced pages in
length.
• If you
are doing a PowerPoint presentation, you may want to do a web search on
“effective PowerPoint presentations” – there are plenty of sites with great
suggestions. My top 5 tips are:
1) Use easy
to read fonts and keep them consistent throughout the presentation.
2) Make sure
your text is large enough. For standard fonts, a pitch of 28 is usually a good
size (with headers being larger).
3) Use
bullet points rather than paragraphs and complete sentences, especially if you
are providing narration.
4) Visual
images that illustrate the point you are trying to make promote deeper
learning, but don’t go crazy with the clip art! Simpler is usually better.
5) Go easy
on the animations. They can be effective, but they shouldn’t be distracting.
• Remember
to provide citations – if you are presenting a fact that you learned from an
article, website or other source, you MUST provide a citation. I expect that
everyone will be using citations since you all conducted research to learn more
about your topics.
• In a
slide show, you can provide the citation in small font at the bottom of the
slide you are citing.
• In a
paper, you must use in-text citations and a reference list.
• In an
audio presentation, you can verbally acknowledge your source (e.g. “Dr. John
Smith from Harvard University said…”) or you can provide a separate reference
list along with your presentation.
• Do NOT
plagiarize. Plagiarism is the intentional or unintentional use of another’s
words or ideas and passing them of as one’s own. It is a serious academic
offense that must be reported to the Dean’s Office. You cannot copy and paste from another source
without providing a citation. In fact, you should use quotes very sparingly
(less than 10% of your work). Even paraphrasing without attribution is
considered plagiarism. If you have questions about APA format, citations, or
plagiarism, visit the UMUC library and use the search feature to get more
information, OR ask!
• Save your
presentation with a title that includes your name so that your classmates won’t
get confused when they download your work.
Posting the presentation
• Post your
presentation and discussion question under Week 8 Course Content – “POST
PRESENTATIONS HERE” by Monday evening at 11:59 PM EST.
• IN
ADDITION: Post your presentation to the Assignments link in the weekly content
area. This step is important because posting to the Assignments link allows me
to attach the grading rubric and send the grade directly to the grade book.
• Give your
topic a subject line in the following format: Presentation Topic_Name (e.g.
Parenting and Technology_John Doe).
• Post your
discussion question in the body of the text.
• Attach
your presentation or provide your link in the body of the text – Note: LEO does
NOT have a size limit on files; however, programs like Knovio may have problems
processing larger file sizes.
Monitor your presentation
Throughout the remainder of the week, check to see if anyone
has responded to your presentation and provide a response as appropriate.
Review presentations
Review and respond to at least 5 classmates during the week.
This is your discussion participation score for the week. Please try to provide
initial responses by Friday or early Saturday so that everyone has a chance to
respond by Sunday evening.
Since everyone is working hard on their presentations, it
would be nice for everyone to receive feedback. If you see that a presentation
has not received any feedback, please make the effort to provide some comments
to your peers so that everyone’s work is recognized.
Rate presentations
Visit the survey provided in the discussion area called
BEHS103 Peer Review Rating Form and rate the presentations you reviewed on a
scale from 4 to 10. Rate every presentation you reviewed even if you didn’t
respond. The average peer rating is worth 10% of the presentation grade.
Ratings should be submitted by the last day of the term (Sunday evening at
11:59 PM EST).
The URL for the survey is: ____________________________
