You will need to select a topic on technology that you want to research and this topic will be the one that you use for your Technology Issue paper and presentation later in the semester. Take some extra care in choosing your topic so that it will hold your interest through the semester.

Topic and Source Selection Assignment

Activity: This assignment will require you to select a topic you wish to investigate. Once selected you will use the Internet to find four sources on the topic. Within your sources there must be varying viewpoints on the topic (i.e. viewpoint 1 – global warming is fact. viewpoint 2 – global warming is fiction. viewpoint 3 – humans have contributed to climate change). You will evaluate your four sources using the CRAAP tool.

Purpose: This assignment will demonstrate how to apply a methodological approach to rating and determining the validity of an information source.

Assignment: Select a topic from the list of potential topics or propose your own idea to your instructor. Use the Internet to locate 4 sources, more are recommended but you only need to submit 4 after applying the CRAAP tool. You must follow the restrictions listed in the activity area above. You are to complete the CRAAP matrix worksheet for your 4 sources and write a one paragraph evaluation/ opinion on the validity/ reliability of the information source.

Deliverable: You will submit one CRAAP matrix worksheet for each of your four information sources. In total you will submit four worksheets for grading.

Grading: This assignment is worth 100 points. Each source will be worth 25 points and will be evaluated according to the attached grading rubric.Topic Ideas
Possible topics list:

How has computer technology impacted modern life?
What role does texting have in the classroom?
Does the prospect of thinking machines signal the decline of humans?
What impact(s) on learning do computers have in the elementary school classroom?
What impact does Bell Laboratories technology impact the medical field? What impact does computers have on the medical field?
How does offloading memory (relying on electronic sources of information rather than learning/memorizing) impact understanding?
Has computer technology changed the way we work?
What skills demonstrate that person is computer literate?
How has technology impacted society’s perception of privacy?
If the Internet becomes non-functional how would your life be impacted?
What software applications does a student need to be proficient with to achieve their educational goals? Why?
Who should control the Internet?
When a crime occurs on the Internet crossing international borders, which country’s laws should be enforced?
What societal issues result from the digital divide?
How has the information age influenced our personal goals, our purpose in life, and our happiness?
How does nano technology play a role in communication, design, and information technology?
Do you think that Public Surveillance Technology will make your city safer or just invade your privacy?
Do you think humans will ever create a machine that cannot be distinguished from a human being? In your opinion, what are the ethical and moral implications associated with that development?
There are many options available to store files in the “cloud”. What do think are the advantages and disadvantages of this type of storage versus storing files on a physical device such as a hard drive or flash drive?
‘Smart Cars’ are becoming more technically advanced. They are able to parallel park by themselves, avoid collisions, and provide emergency responses. What other technical advances do you see cars incorporating? Do you think that any of these current or potential advancements could result in unexpected negative consequences?
What advantages and disadvantages does social networking bring to your life? What positive and negative effects has social networking had on society as a whole?
Downloading free music, movies, and other electronic medial from the Internet, although illegal, still occurs. Do you think you should have the ability to download free music files of your choice? The current price to buy a song online is about $1. Is this a fair price?
What rule has the Internet played in political campaigns? What role will it play in the future? Do you see the day when voting will happen through the Internet?
Many believe the operating of the future will be on the cloud (Internet) and Web-based. Discuss the implications of this type of OS. What would be the advantages and disadvantages of a Web-based operating system?

Microsoft and Apple are large corporations and have control of most of the OS markets. While there has been some innovative changes to each of their proprietary operating systems, does their size and market dominance prevent more innovation? Why or why not? Linux, as an open source environment, is poised for greater innovation. Why do you think the Linux operating system doesn’t have a greater market share?
When first introduced, products have the highest prices and the most instability. As these products settle into the market, they become more reliable and the price falls. What are the advantages and disadvantages purchasing a product early in the introduction? How do you decide at what point you should step into the technology price curve for any given product?
What advantages and disadvantages are offered in digital photography and video? Has the growth in digital media promoted an increased understanding between people or has it created more isolation?
Explore the specifications of the Sony Portable Reader, the Barnes and Noble NOOK, the Amazon Kindle, and the Apple iPad. How would your study habits change if your textbooks were only delivered to you in electronic format on one of these devices? What advantages and disadvantages would there be?

Part 2: Provider Database (MS Access)
For a review of the complete rubric used in grading this exercise, click on the Assignments tab, then on the title Case Study Part 2 – Provider Database (Access)– click on Show Rubrics if the rubric is not already displayed. 

As you recall, data is a collection of facts (numbers, text, even audio and video files) that is processed into usable information. Much like a spreadsheet, a database is a collection of such facts that you can then slice and dice in various ways to extract information or make decisions. However, the advantage and primary use of a database over a spreadsheet is its ability to handle a large volume of data and yet allow for quick access to the information that is desired. 

Databases are everywhere now and impact our lives in a multitude of ways. It can accurately be said that “your life is in a database” or, more accurately, in multiple databases, and information about you (a retrieval of facts about you) is easily accessible. Your shopping history, credit history, medical history, even your driving history, is stored in one or more databases. 

This exercise will introduce you to the basic building blocks of any database – fields, records, and files (also called tables). Although you will create a database with a single table containing a small amount of data about computer component Providers, the more applicable use of databases involves the creation of many tables linked together with a common field or “key.” Regardless of the size of the database, the data is stored in the same way – in fields which are combined to create a record. And those records are stored in a file or table. The data is entered into the field via a data entry form, and the information is extracted (to answer a particular question or need) via reports and/or queries. Note that Access uses the Field Size parameter in Design View to limit the number of characters or digits in a given field. Specific instructions for the project can be found in the table below.

Create a provider database and related reports and queries to capture contact information for potential PC component providers that might be used to purchase the equipment your specified in your MS Word project – the PC specifications..

This MS Access database assignment has the following parts:

1. a simple database table to hold provider contact information; some of the required fields in the table require that a Caption be added to the field characteristics. The Caption will be displayed in the report that is to be generated.
2. a simple database form that can be used to enter data into the database table; 
3. two simple database reports that can used to present the data as information; and
4. a separate MS Word document answering questions about the database.

All aspects of the assignment will be evaluated according to the following criteria and overall professional, business-like appearance. This would include clear readability and formatting for both screen and print-based output.

Element # Requirement
Points Allocated Comments
01 • Launch MS Access and open a Blank Access database. 
• Save the new database with the following name:
“Student’s First Initial Last Name Provider Information”
Example: JSmith Provider Information 0.1
Create a table with all the following fields and settings: (each letter indicates a separate field)
02 A. Provider ID (autonumber)
Set as primary key and is auto number 0.1 The Provider ID field must be set as the primary key (*). If the Provider ID is not the primary key, 0.05 points will be deducted. If you have properly set the Provider ID field as the primary key, it will be numbered automatically (Auto Number).
03 B. Provider’s Company Name (text) 0.1
04 C. Provider Contact-First Name (text)
D. Provider Contact-Last Name (text) 0.2
05 E. Billing Address (text) 
(this is the street address)
F. City (text) 0.2
06 G. State (text—limited to 2 characters) 0.15
07 H. Zip Code (text—limited to 5 characters) 0.15
08 I.Phone number – area code (text—limited to 3 characters)
J. Phone number (text) 
(Use xxx-xxxx format when entering the data) 0.25
09 K. YTD Orders (currency)
(At least one record must contain an amount when you enter the data) 0.1
10 L. Preferred Provider (Yes/No)
(Criteria must be provided in the Description field (Design View) which identifies what constitutes a Preferred Provider. Base your criteria on YTD amounts.) 0.15
11 All fields names are fully visible in Datasheet View (no truncated entries) 0.1
12 Name the table as follows: Provider Information Table 0.1

13 Use the Form Wizard to create a form that uses all the fields from the Provider Information Table. 0.2 Let the Form Wizard guide you through the completion of the form
Use a Columnar layout.
14 Select a theme – do NOT use the default theme which is Office.
0.1
15 Name the form as follows: 
Provider Data Entry Form 0.1 You should be finished with the form at this point. It is best if you allow the Form Wizard to open the form to view and enter information.
16 Ensure that all field names are fully visible in each field in Form View (no truncated entries) 0.1
17 Use the form to enter data into the table
• Enter all the appropriate data for five providers (such as Best Buy, CDW, and CompUSA.) 
• Mark at least one Provider as a Preferred Provider based on the criteria you identified in the Preferred Provider field. 
It is important to complete all data entry prior to moving on to create the report. You should also use the table to manually review and audit all entries to ensure accuracy and consistency prior to report setup. If find any data entry errors or inconsistencies, simply go back the item in the form and make the appropriate corrections. Missing data or including data that should be ignored will result in a deduction. 1 When you are finished, the Provider Information Table should contain all the contact information for the providers. You may need to create fictitious information for contact names –other field information should be available from the provider’s company website. For YTD Orders simply input fictitious values. Marking at least one provider as Preferred should be based on criteria for YTD Orders (those that exceed a specified YTD amount that you determine). That criteria must be included in the field Description for Preferred Provider.
The form will automatically populate the Provider ID for you because this is your primary key. Provider’s Company Name will be your five providers.
18
Ensure that all entered data is fully visible in each field in Datasheet View of the Provider Information Table (no truncated entries) 0.1

19 Use the Report Wizard to create a report from the database that uses the following fields, presented in the following order from left to right in the final report:
• Provider’s Company Name
• Provider Contact First and Last Name 
• Complete Address (Street, City, State, Zip)
• Phone Number (including area code field) 0.3 Let the Report Wizard guide you through the completion of the report. 
Use Landscape orientation
Make sure that you do not select the Provider ID field. 
20 • Set up the report to be sorted by Provider Contact-Last Name.
Ensure that the order of the fields is still the same as identified above: company name, first name, last name, address, phone number.
0.1
21 • Ensure that all field names and entered data are fully visible in all areas of the report (no truncated entries)
• Select an appropriate style that improves readability 0.1 You must apply a style OTHER THAN the default style which is the Office theme.
22 • Name the report as follows: 
Provider Contact Information
Your report will include information for all your Providers. 0.1 After you name the report, you should allow the Report Wizard to let you preview the report. If you created the report correctly, you should see the items sorted alphabetically by Provider Last Name. (Only one Provider Contact Information report should be submitted for grading or points will be deducted.) 

23 Create mailing labels for the provider list: Include 
• Contact person’s full name 
• full Provider’s company name 
• full mailing address. 
Check the look of the report in Print view. 1 Be sure to view your mailing labels to ensure correct spacing of the name, address. etc. The format should appear as a typical address on an envelope.
24 • Save this report as “Provider Mailing Labels.” 0.1
25 Create an MS Word document. 
• Set it to 
double space
normal text
Arial, 12 point. 
Save the document as:
“First Initial Last Name Access Questions”
Example: JSmith Access Questions

Create a Title Page which shows your project title, your first and last name, the course id and the due date. See comment to the right for the project title.

In your MS Word document, answer both of these questions in 4 to 5 well written sentences.
Questions:
1. Your Director has approved the purchase of the computers that you recommended in your response to the Case Study – Part 1, the specification for the computers. The data in this database you created here is rather limited. What fields would you add to the database you created in this project that would help you in choosing a supplier or suppliers to use to fulfill the purchases?

2. Could you use an Excel spreadsheet to replicate the same activity that you completed for the Access database project? What advantages or disadvantages might using Excel have over using Access in this Case Study?

0.3 points of the score for this element is assigned to writing mechanics.

0.1

0.1

0.5

0.3

The title must be 
PC Specifications for the Director
by
[insert your first and last name]
[insert course id]
[insert due date]

When submitting your project, be sure to attach BOTH the Access database (the table, form, and 2 reports will be included in the single database file) AND the Word document which contains answers to the two questions above.
TOTAL 6