JZEM@MARIST.BITNET (William J. Joel) (12/06/87)
At my school (Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY) each of our division
members owns or coordinates one or more courses. One of the courses
I coordinate is Computers & Society. In this course we cover
approximately twelve topics each semester, and this list constantly
changes from semester to semester. Four times each semester, the
students are given three questions, relating to three of the twelve
topics, and are asked to pick one of the three questions and write
a brief (4 to 6 pages) essay in response. The following six questions
are actual questions I gave my students this past semester. This
is the way I teach my course, and obviously not everyone would take
the approach I do.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Remember the Crash of 1987?
a. Research how computers are used the stock market.
b. What did people say was the part that computers
played in the recent crash?
c. Do you feel that these uses of computers, by the
stock market, should be continued? Whay or why not?
2. Computer Aided Instruction (CAI) is widely used today,
though some feel that it really does not improve a stu-
dent's learning.
a. Find at least two people (anywhere) who say that CAI
is beneficial. Find two who say it is not.
b. Compare their respective views objectively, that is,
refrain from commenting on the merits of their opin-
ions.
c. What is your opinion as to the benefit of CAI?
3. BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING?
a. Has the use of computers, by our respective govern-
mental organizations reduced, kept the same, or
increased our privacy?
b. What do others say on this subject, and how does this
compare with your opinions?
4. For this question I would like to you to thoroughly
research (as much as you can in a week) a case where com-
puters were used as the primary tool in giving a person the
use of one of their lost physical capabilities (I.E.,
sight, walking, hearing).
a. State how computers were used in this case.
b. How did it effect the person in regards social inter-
action?
c. What do you feel are the social implications of this
technique, if it becomes readily available to anyone
who needs it?
5. Can you hear me? Am I getting through? Communication, via
email, has been blossoming full-blown over the last ten
years. But what does it all mean?
a. What sort of visable, public/private electronic net-
works exist today? Give specific examples.
b. Is there a hidden network, comprised of computers and
people? Why or why not?
6. PRIVATE! No admittance!
a. Is complete computer privacy a thing that can ever be
achieved?
b. If No, then what prevents it? If Yes, then why don't
we have it yet?
c. What do others say on the subject?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------