Thursday - October 25, 2012

Class Work
(These are the activities we will complete in class.  You do NOT need to complete these assignments before class. The Homework is listed below.)

1. From your homework, what articles did you find about the benefits and/or dangers of technology? On a post-it note, write the most memorable piece of information from your research and post it on the wall. Sign your name.(Post-it provided.)
2. Walk around the room and read. Respond to three posts in writing. (3 post-its provided)
3. Go back to the wall and collect your original thought and the responses.
4. Discussion: Where are we as a society? Are we in charge or is technology? What are the dangers? What are the advantages?
5. How did you do without your technology for 12 hours? Are you an addict? To what extent is that a bad thing? To what extent is this addiction a good one?
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11:00 am class - We will finish "There Will Come Soft Rains" (10 minutes)
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6. What is the impact of technology on children? What are the dangers? How is "life" different for children today than it was for you?
7. What do the experts say?
http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/tv_affects_child.html
http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/children_and_watching_tv
http://responsibility-project.libertymutual.com/blog/the-spongebob-squarepants-effect?src=keyword_s=msn_K=tv%20affects%20on%20children_C=Parenting_G=SpongeBobEffect_Effect_M=b&K_CLICKID=5724be52-dbfc-fbc8-eb2c-000008c9ddcf#fbid=a6R4q24TEkY&src=keyword_s

8. Skim and scan http://www.squidoo.com/television_and_children  Click on the link for the article The Influence of Media Violence on Youth. It is a 30 page document. Look at the headings. Find three that are of interest to you. Focus on those. Be prepared to share your findings.

9. Let's take a look at numbers. Can you read a chart? Can you translate the information from numbers to sentences? http://videogames.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=003627

10. "The Veldt" by Ray Bradbury . . . another "house" with issues.

How real it too real? Explore the possibilities with:
"The Veldt": http://www.veddma.com/veddma/Veldt.htm

Reader's Theatre . . . or Audio reading . . . Part 1:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSoigRHHNLM
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Px7ihSd9bXM&feature=relmfu

Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYQuOX-NQIY&feature=relmfu

Preview of coming attractions...

Technology – Friend or Foe?

For this essay, you are writing to convince the opposition. Consider the dangers and advantages of technology. For this essay, you must pick a side. Think of this essay as a debate on paper. You must know what the opposition thinks, but you do not support that point of view.

I. Introduction –

a. Identify the specific technology you will be discussing – cell phone, computer, automobile, dishwasher, microwave, GPS, etc.

b. Capture the attention of the audience in the normal way with startling statistics, an interesting anecdote, a quotation from an expert, lines from a song or poem, a thought provoking question, etc. In short, make sure that what you say makes the reader want to know more.

c. In addition, state your thesis – make your point of view clear! (Some of you may be taking a creative approach. See me if this is the case.)

II. The body of the paper will do several things –

a. Convince the reader that their either need or do not need the technology.

b. Provide a brief history of the specific technology you plan to discuss. What was life like before its invention? When was it invented? How has it evolved? What is its story?

c. Provide clear evidence to support your point of view. You must have proof from

i. At least three experts/sources.

ii. A current news source such as a newspaper or magazine article or news cast.

iii. An interview with at least one user.

iv. A personal anecdote.

v. Lines from literature – poem, short story, or novel. Use lines from "The Veldt", “There Will Come Soft Rains”, or other SciFi literature.

vi. Strong statistics from an expert source.

vii. Reference to an art selection.

The body of the paper will be several paragraphs in length.

III. Conclusion –

Wrap it up for the readers. Leave them with a call to action to either give up or get the gadget you are supporting. Be sure they know why they need or do not need one. Consider:

a. Convenience

b. Cost

c. Safety

d. Environmental impact

e. Impact on society

Homework
Note: #1 has been changed to be more student-friendly. Forget the numbers for now.

1. Conduct some informal research. Find someone to interview who is a "user" or "viewer" of the technology you have selected for research. Create a list of at least five questions to ask the individual.Try to find out if they favor or disapprove of the object or activity. Post your questions and answers in MYCOMPLAB under "Interview." (25 pts.)
2. Locate a work of art featuring your gadget! Include it in the following:
 Create a visual electronic representation of your gadget. You may include a professional artis'st or photographer's work. Give credit to the source. This can be as simple as a PowerPoint page or two. Or, you may use one of the many sites that are out there to help you organize your visuals.
Consider taking pictures of the gadget. Consider taking pictures of users, yourself included. Bring the "project" to class on Tuesday. You are limited to three slides. We will share these. Be sure your work is on a Jump Drive! No exceptions! 30 points for the PowerPoint - 20 points for sharing.
3. Locate an article that tells of the history of your gadget. Write a short summary and post in )MyCompLab. Include the Works Cited information in MLA format. Remember, EasyBib is your friend! (Of course, you may use another citation machine. The goal is to have the formatting correct.(25 pts.