Chapter 7: Evaluating and Controlling Technology

Chapter 7: Evaluating and Controlling Technology See Dilbert cartoons about evaluating and controlling technology: http://dilbert.com/strips/comic/2007-05-02/ http://dilbert.com/strips/comic/1997-09-10/

Reminders Today’s reading quiz is on Ch. 7.1 & 7.2 Video editing workshop will be held in AML right after class today (4:15 pm)

Quiz Question 1 The following is true of Websites that practice democratic journalism: They display articles that are more factually accurate than those on traditional journalism Websites They give you easy access to those stories that are of personal importance to you They make it easy to read news stories that are popular with other Website visitors None of the above All of the above

Quiz Question 1 Answer C. See last paragraph of p. 351 Name some websites you visit that practice democratic journalism.

Question 2 According to your book, the following is a useful consideration in evaluating the extent to which you can trust the information on a Website: How recently was the information published to the site? How many links to external websites are included on the site? Who sponsors the Website? All of the above None of the above

Question 2 Answer C. See p. 355: “One good step is to determine who sponsors the site.”

Group Exercise Assess the reliability of information and news on the following websites: www.nytimes.com www.huffingtonpost.com www.digg.com www.crosswalk.com www.rightwingnews.com www.salon.com

Quiz Question 3 According to the book, critics of computers in the 1980s and 1990s argued that computers discourage deep thought discourage discussion with others emphasize thinking based on quantifiable entities, not judgment and values All of the above None of the above

Quiz Question 3 Answer D. See last full paragraph of p. 258.

Discussion Exercise: Printed vs. Online Newspapers (Clicker) 7.8, p. 394: Some older people lament that most children now in elementary school will never read a printed newspaper. What will they miss? Is anything of significant personal or social value being lost? Overall, is the change good or bad? A: Good B: Bad C: Not sure

Quiz Question 4 According to the book, the most modern computer models of climate change have the most difficulty handling the following: Diurnal variation Topography Aerosols Clouds None of the above

Quiz Question 4 Answer D. Clouds “Much of the variation in model results comes from the still troublesome lack of full understanding of some of the effects of clouds" (p. 366, third paragraph). Diurnal variation and aerosols were mentioned as problems with the initial models, but they are now better handled

Quiz Question 5 According to the book, which of the following factors contributes to the accuracy of a computer model? How broad is the model’s coverage? How well understood is the science or theory that underlies the model? How long does the model require to make a prediction? All of the above None of the above

Quiz Question 5 Answer B. See list on top of p. 362. What are other factors that impact the accuracy and usefulness of a model?

Group Exercise 7.13, p. 394: Come up with three questions whose answers you would need for a lifecycle analysis model comparing the environmental impact of juice boxes with the environmental impact of juice in bottles. Consider manufacture, transportation, use, and disposal. See Fig. 7.2 (p. 363) for inspiration.

Group Exercise (2) Ex. 7.14, p. 394: Which of the following models do you think would produce very accurate results? Which do you think would be less reliable? Give your reasons. Models that predict the effect of an income tax change on government revenue Models that predict the position of the moon in relation to the earth 30 years from now Models that predict how much optical fiber a major city will need 30 years from now Models that predict how much carbon dioxide the burning of fossil fuel for energy will emit worldwide 30 years from now Models that predict the speed of a new racing boat hull design under specified wind conditions

Quiz Question 6 According to the book, studies have shown conclusively that the emergence of the Internet has caused a decline in participation in clubs and other social organizations. True False

Quiz Question 6 Answer B. False See middle paragraph of p. 368, which presents conflicting results. Also, be aware of the difference between correlation (“relates to”) and causality (“led to”) Can you name some ways the Internet may enhance participation in clubs and social organizations?

Quiz Question 7 The main goal of the book author’s review of Sclove’s and Scheuer’s article entitled “On the Road Again? If Information Highways are Anything like Interstate Highways—Watch out!” was to argue that e-commerce and Wal-Mart have little impact on communities explore issues regarding the impact of Wal-Mart and e-commerce on community point out how e-commerce and Wal-Mart stores are ruining communities None of the above

Quiz Question 7 Answer B. (See gray box on pp. 369-370)

Group Exercise Read the Gray box on pp. 369-370 and consider these questions as a group: What is the author’s strongest critique of Sclove and Scheuer’s argument? Do yo agree? Based on your observations, what has been the impact of the new Super Walmart in Pullman on the Pullman community? Do Sclove and Scheuer’s arguments ring true in Pullman?

Discussion Exercise: Arithmetic in the Head vs. Using Computers (Clicker) 7.12, p. 394: Some people lament that young sales clerks cannot add up bills, compute sales tax, or calculate change when sales terminals aren’t working. To what extent have calculators and computers destroyed our ability to do arithmetic ourselves? Should we no longer teach arithmetic, and instead just teach calculators? A: Don’t teach arithmetic anymore, only calculators B: Teach some arithmetic, but more calculator use C: Teach mostly arithmetic, but some calculator use D: Tech only arithmetic, and no calculator use

Discussion Exercise: Online Degree Programs 7.17, p. 395: A large number of college students are enrolled in online degree programs. Discuss some advantages and disadvantages (to the students and to society in general) of students getting degrees online instead of at (co-present) traditional colleges.

Discussion Exercise: Cell Phones 7.25, p. 396: Analyze the following argument about the necessity of cell phones. Is it convincing? Some people do not want to own a cell phone because, among other reasons, cell phones are intrusive, difficult to use, and expensive. Technology advocates say if you don’t want one, you don’t have to buy one. This this is not true. We have to have one, because coin-operated telephones are no longer widely available.

Reminder Reading quiz on Ch. 7-3 – 7.5 on Tuesday Video editing workshop held in AML right after class today

Chapter 7: Evaluating and Controlling Technology