Lesson 6

Lesson 6: Culture and Technology

Attention

Machines have played a major role in not only changing the way we work and perform activities, but the very cultural fabric of norms, values, and expectations.

For example, let's take a look at the history of the computer...at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View California

Click the LOGO to go to the main page for the Museum

Click HERE to visit the exhibit titled..."Revolution: The First 2000 Years of Computing"
Be sure to view the "Topics" and "Timeline" links on this page...very cool!

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this lesson's material, students will be able to:

Identify ways in which computer technology has brought about changes to norms, values, and expectations
Apply the Sociological Perspectives in an analysis of personal technology possession and use

Teaching

Functionalist Perspectives

Their most basic assumption is that society is a stable, orderly system characterized by societal consensus

· Their most basic assumption of this perspective is that society is a stable, orderly system characterized by societal consensus.
· Society consists of interrelated parts that serve functions needed by the system.
· Societies develop social structures, or institutions that persist because they play a part in helping society survive. These institutions include: the family, education, government, religion, and economy.
· Adverse consequences that affect one institution affect all others as well.

Application of the Functionalist Perspective

Consider how computer and communication technology is seen through this perspective...

Conflict Perspectives

The most basic assumption is that groups with divergent interests engage in ongoing power struggles for control of scarce resources in society. (we discussed this one in the Shoemaker story)

Application of the Conflict Perspective

Consider how computer and communication technology is seen through this perspective...

Symbolic Interactionist Perspectives

The conflict and functionalist perspectives are often criticized for their emphasis on the macrolevel.
· Macrolevel analysis examines whole societies, large-scale social structures, and social systems.
· Microlevel analysis examines small groups rather than large-scale social structures.

Application of the Symbolic Interactionist Perspective

Consider how computer and communication technology is seen through this perspective...

Postmodern Perspectives

The basic idea of these perspectives is that existing theories have been unsuccessful in explaining social life in contemporary societies that are characterized by post-industrialization, consumerism, and global communications.

An information explosion and an economy in which large numbers of people either provide or apply information characterize postindustrial societies.

There is a corresponding rise of a consumer society and the emergence of a global village in which people communicate via electronic technologies.

Application of the Postmodern Perspective

Consider how computer and communication technology is seen through this perspective...

Mobile Devices and Learning

According to Traxler (2007)

"Looking at mobile learning in a wider context, we have to recognize that mobile, personal, and wireless devices are now radically transforming societal notions of discourse and knowledge, and are responsible for new forms of art, employment, language, commerce, deprivation, and crime, as well as learning. With increased popular access to information and knowledge anywhere, anytime, the role of education, perhaps especially formal education, is challenged and the relationships between education, society, and technology are now more dynamic than ever."

Read the entire article HERE

Traxler, J. (2007). Defining, discussing, and evaluating mobile learning: the moving finger writes and having writ... The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Education. 8(2).

Assessment

Possible Class Discussion

In this discussion we are going to take a critical look at the use of technology (computers, presentations, Blackboard) in education, particularly here at KVCC. Discuss your perspective of the usefulness of technology and how it impacts your own learning. Feel free to make comparisons as to how it "used to be."

Lesson 6 Presentation

This assignment is going to introduce you to the use of mobile technology in education. You will be using a specific application called Storehouse to complete this assignment. Storehouse is only available on iOS devices (iPhone or iPad) so you can use your own or you can borrow an iPad from KVCC.

I want you to imagine that way into the distant future, long after our civilization has passed away...aliens have landed on a deserted planet and have begun to excavate old towns and cities in order to understand what humans were like. They happen across your house or appartment are find 10 objects that have survived the ravages of time. Based on these ten objects (and a name tag with your name on it!) one particularly ambitious alien plans on creating a museum kiosk about YOU!

I want you to find the 10 objects in your world (any ten objects) that you think would best represent who you are to this future race. I want you to create a Storehouse presentation with the cover picture being of YOU with your name...and then a picture (or video) of each of the ten objects. Under each object I want you to explain how this object represents a part of who you are.

You can use the iPad for all aspects of this assignment...take pictures, video, create the Storehouse, and type your text.

In your Storehouse text descriptions I want you to use the terms we have already learned in Sociology...culture, material culture, beliefs, values, norms, expectations, etc. Each of these objects is indeed an example of "material culture".

This is an opportunity to be creative and even funny! You will post a link to your Storehouse presentation in the special online Discussion Board I have prepared. Each of you must post your own presentation and post a comment about at least three of your peers' presentations for full credit.

Here is a copy of the grading rubric for this assignment

Incidentally...this is the same software that I am asking you to use for your Service-Learning projects...so this is a good chance to familiarize yourself with it and master how to use the iPad to document your work.