CIS2: 8. Computers and Work

• consider the impact of computers on work
• experience video presentation and evaluate the effectiveness in education
• understand the special needs of people with disabilities when using media
• use the web as a research resource
• understand the fundamentals of working collaboratively
• discuss the educational uses of recreational technologies
• experience group project organization and planning

• How are computers changing jobs and the nature of work? What jobs have not changed even though technology might help them? What jobs would not exist without computers?
• Can you think of some new types of jobs that will exist in the future that do not exist now because they need technology that does not exist yet?
• What do you think of the idea of telework - you do not have go to a particular place to work? Do you like the idea of working from home or anywhere else?
• Do you think employers should monitor their employees? When might it be ok?
• What are some of the health problems associated with technology jobs?

1. For most of this course, information is in text format. However, multimedia is becoming more available. View one of the QuickTime videos http://www.glef.org/video/frame.php
   OR RealPlayer videos http://home.intekom.com/intouch/view_video.htm
   OR Living Room Candidate (American Museum of the Moving Image) - The Living Room Candidate: Presidential Campaign Commercials 1952-2004 is an innovative online exhibition presenting more than 250 television commercials from every election year beginning in 1952, when the first campaign ads aired. http://livingroomcandidate.movingimage.us/index.php
   What did you think about the video? Could video be used in a work environment? What will it replace? What problems would result from the introduction of web-delivered video in the work place? Post a 2-3 sentence response to Video at Work discussion.

2. Another instructional media is interactive content, created and delivered using technologies like ShockWave. WebAIM has created several simulations in Shockwave that demonstrate web content accessibility problems for people who have vision disabilities. http://www.webaim.org/simulations
   Try one of the simulations. Does it work on your computer? Does the simulation give you a better understanding of the problems faced by computer users with vision disabilities?
   There is a great site from Fresno State that explains (with quicktime videos!) a number of strategies to design "access-friendly" websites. http://www.fresnostate.edu/webaccess/materials/videoclips.htm
   Comment on these experiences. Post a 2-3 sentence response to Disabilities and Accessibility discussion.

3. Search the web for sites that talk about computers and work, working, and jobs. Find 2 that you think are particularly interesting. Write 2-3 sentences about the social issues discussed. Submit the web address of the pages you selected and your description as assignment Search - Work. Also, post one of your links and your description of the link's significance to Working and Jobs discussion.

4. Read 8. Computers and Work notes for an overview for the topics that will be covered this week.

5. Read text book - Chapter 8: Computers and Work

6. Several students wanted to know why there are group assignments in this course. Answer: Because this is the way the world is moving so you need to know what this is all about and how it works.
   Read The 12 Principles of Collaboration. http://www.mongoosetech.com/realcommunities/12prin.html All communities, on or off the web, adhere to basic principles in order to thrive. Mongoose Technology has codified these tenets into the 12 Principles of Collaboration which form the sociological basis of our product design. The 12 Principles function as a hierarchy. The chief principle, Purpose, is supported by the other 11 principles. For a more comprehensive review of the 12 Principles with many examples, read their white paper The 12 Principles of Collaboration -- Guidelines for Designing Interaction Management Services. http://www.mongoosetech.com/realcommunities/12prin.html
   Many of you will be part of a corporate environment sooner or later. What do you think? Are you convinced that group work in person or online is important? Will you work in an organization that uses of online group work? Does the group work in this class provide an opportunity to learn and practice online group work? Post your responses to Group Work and Why It Matters discussion.

7. Read the guidelines for Collaboration and Group Projects provided in the course notes. Then complete the quiz Collaboration and Group Projects

8. Another important area that is not addressed in the text is: Computers in Recreation, Leisure and Play . Search the web for sites that talk about computers and recreation, leisure and play. Find 2 that you think are particularly interesting. Write 2-3 sentences about the social issues discussed. Submit the web address of the pages you selected and your description as assignment Search - Play . Also, post one of your links and your description of the link's significance to Recreation and Leisure discussion.

9. Complete the quiz Computers and Work. Answer based on your reading from the textbook. When you have completed all the questions, submit your quiz for grading.

10. Read You're Not Studying: You're... that outlines a number of uses of recreational technologies for something educational. http://llt.msu.edu/vol9num1/purushotma/default.html
    Suggest other educational uses of recreational technologies. and post your suggestions to the Forum discussion You're Not Studying... Review the postings of at least two other students and elaborate on their suggestion. Can this idea be extended into some other subject? Are there similar technologies that can add to the learning experience suggested?

11. For your Final Project , you should be working with your group. Planning the work and deciding who is going to do what and by when are key to the success of your project. Divide up the work so everyone will make a contribution to the final report. Everyone on the team should understand what work they have to do and the date when it must be completed. Prepare an outline of the entire report. Also, each team member creates a detailed outline of their section and provides that outline to the group.
    Everyone writes their own summary of project group activities for this week. Include an outline for your section of the final project report. Also, provide a 1-2 paragraph summary of the status of your own work on your Final project. Submit this as your I think... assignment.