CS101 – Living with Computers

ACTIVITIES & QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

Chapter 9 (Classes 23-25):

Explain how the emerging information economy differs from earlier social and economic systems.
Describe several ways computers and robots have changed the nature and quality of jobs, both positively and negatively.
List several trends in information technology that are likely to continue for a few more years.
Outline several research areas that may produce breakthroughs in computer technology in the next few decades.
Describe some of the social and psychological risks of the information age.
Speculate about the long-term future of the information age.

Bring in old magazines/catalogs. Have students come up with lists of technological products that didn’t exist 10 years ago. For those devices that did exist 10 years ago and are still commonplace today, have groups compare the price and variety of brands available in the past with what is available today. Select spokesperson from group to report to class on list (discuss groups’ lists).
Break class into small groups, have each group come up with jobs with which they are familiar and which could be completely or more thoroughly automated. Structure the task as a checklist with “benefits” and “costs” columns, then challenge groups to list both business and social pros and cons of automation. Select spokesperson from group to report to class on list (discuss groups’ lists)
Break the class into small groups(divided in half) to conduct a debate on the topic: “Resolved: the United States government should ensure free and unregulated Internet access for all citizens.” Have half the groups report on pro’s and the others, cons (discuss groups comments).
Break students into small groups, to research the ethical issues brought up by the possibility of artificial life forms. Questions to include "What moral responsibilities would we have towards an artificial life form," and "Whaat ethical rules should guide the development of artificial life forms." An additional source of ideas and projections here is science fiction, like Asimov's "three laws of robotics."