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A Gift of Fire Third edition Sara Baase. Chapter 7: Evaluating and Controlling Technology. What We Will Cover. Information, Knowledge, and Judgment Computers and Community The ‘Digital Divide’ Evaluations of the Impact of Computer Technology Making Decisions About Technology.
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A Gift of FireThird editionSara Baase Chapter 7: Evaluating and Controlling Technology Slides prepared by Cyndi Chie and Sarah Frye
What We Will Cover • Information, Knowledge, and Judgment • Computers and Community • The ‘Digital Divide’ • Evaluations of the Impact of Computer Technology • Making Decisions About Technology
Information, Knowledge, and Judgment Evaluating Information on the Web: • Wikipedia: • Written by volunteers, some posts are biased and not accurate • Although anyone can write, most people do not • Those that do typically are educated and experts
Information, Knowledge, and Judgment (cont.) Evaluating Information on the Web (cont.): • Manipulation of images: • Movies and videos use special effects to add creativity and enjoyment of entertainment • People can use technology for deception and fraud • Ease with which we can modify digital images and video • Should news agencies modify images and videos? • Faking photos is not a new phenomenon; more people can do it now because it’s easy
Computers and Community • The Internet brings people together from all over the world • E-mail and the Internet provide convenient and cheap ways for families and friends to stay in contact • New trends include social-networking sites such as MySpace and virtual environments such as Second Life
The "Digital Divide" Trends in Computer Access: • New technologies only available to the wealthy • The time it takes for new technology to make its way into common use is decreasing • Cost is not the only factor; ease of use plays a role • Entrepreneurs provide low cost options for people who cannot otherwise afford something • Government funds technology in schools • As technology becomes more prevalent, the issues shift from the haves and have-nots to level of service
The "Digital Divide" (cont.) The Global Divide and the Next Billion Users: • Approximately one billion people worldwide have access to the Web; approximately five billion do not • Bringing new technology to poor countries is not just a matter of money to buy equipment; PCs and laptops must work in extreme environments • Some people actively working to shrink the digital divide emphasize the need to provide access in ways appropriate to the local culture
Making Decisions About Technology Accomplishments of Technology: • Prices of food are down and raw materials are abundant • Real buying power is up • Food supplies and GDP are growing faster than the population • Dramatic impact on life expectancy • Assistive technologies benefit those with disabilities
Making Decisions About Technology (cont.) Intelligent Machines and Super-intelligent Humans - Or the End of the Human Race?
Making Decisions About TechnologyDiscussion Questions • The topic of ‘Digital Divide’ • Does Cyber War scare you?