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?

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?