User:Vtaylor/Computers and Society/Summary 1

Summary 1. Introductions

Welcome everyone!

Great start to the class. Thanks to all for your introductions. Nice to meet you and to learn about your interest in this course.

The discussion format and no textbook are different from on-campus or most online courses. Using online articles allows us to look at technology “history” as it happens.

The first week of the semester is always exciting and interesting as we get started. Many of you are new to online learning and to the Canvas course management system. For those who have used Canvas in the past, we may be using some some of the features in a new way. The Canvas Orientation provides a good introduction and refresher of the many features available in Canvas.

Communication and collaboration are important in this course. Everyone in the class is a contributor. With 20+ contributors highlighting news and information on a broad range of topics, we are able to have a great view of progress and the impact on society in general. Personal experiences add relevance.

We learn through sharing as well as doing. There is a lot to cover, so let's get started.

Canvas - Some helpful features include your Dashboard, Messages / Mailbox, and lists of all the graded and ungraded Discussions and Assignments. Most of the discussions are graded so these are considered as assignments too.

Calendar - Usually only one activity per module is listed with the due date for the module. ALL activities in the Assignments for that module are due at that time! You can add your own items to the calendar. Make this your own study plan organizer.

Modules - There is a link to the Modules outline in the left navigation menu. There are links to the activities for each of the modules. There is a green circle and check mark for each activity as you complete them. Have you completed all the activities? You can see for yourself.

Grades - in the left navigation menu, there is a link to Grades. You can check your grades at any time yourself.

Late work - Late work is usually accepted for partial credit. I accept late assignments, because you will learn something even if you don’t get full credit for the work. Any time you know in advance that you will not be able to complete assignments, please let me know and we can work out a completion plan for you.

Privacy is a big concern for many. We will be looking at this in depth. By learning to be careful, you will understand that you can be active online and make a contribution to this important global resource.

Coming up... - The next module is outlined on the course Front page.

Questions, suggestions - Many of your questions about computers and the internet in society will be topics for modules throughout the course. If you are interested, you can look ahead. Everything is available to work on now.

If you have questions, please ask.

Suggestions for additions and changes to the course are welcome. Keeping the material current and interesting are important and your help is appreciated. Be sure to take time to review the contributions of others in the class and share your learning.

Here are some questions and comments that have come up.


 * I wonder ... The module is about introductions - computers and society, online learning and the Canvas course management system, and class introductions. As you think back through the activities and discussions, did you have questions that were not answered? Could you find the answers yourself? Do you have a particular interest in a topic that came up? The "I wonder" reflection question is a good way to review what we just covered and think about what else you might want to know about this topic. This is also an important study skill.


 * Inner Heroes survey * Helper	. 3 respondents. 18 %	* Thinker	. 5 respondents. 29 %	* Doer	. 4 respondents . 24 %	* Planner	. 5 respondents . 29 %	* In the previous course management system, everyone could see the results but this is not an option in Canvas as far as I can tell. The site requires registration and past students have had issues with that as a requirement as well as questioned the relevance and validity of the survey. As an ice-breaker activity for people to meet in class and as a personal awareness thinking thing, it is kinda fun. Not required. If you are interested in sharing, ass your type to your Introduction.


 * Learning literacies - Throughout the course we will be looking at learning literacies which include time management, prioritization and decision making. These are important life skills as well as necessary for being a successful student. Hope they help.

Coming up...

'''Module 2. Privacy and Freedom of Speech''' - These are important to all technology users. We think of privacy primarily with respect to the internet and online communications. However, as we have seen in the module, we need to think more broadly as many other technologies can impact our privacy and freedom of speech. We will explore these later in the course.