Transcript File - Ms. Thresher

Technology as an Agent of Social Change
Making our lives easier everyday!
or
Making our lives easier everyday?
When you think of
Technology what
thoughts come to
mind?
Technology Survey
•What main theme(s) runs through
the questions on the survey?
•Would this survey apply/have the
same relevance for your
parents/caregivers or grandparents
generation?
The Social Media Revolution
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eUeL3n7fDs
Benefits?
Problems?
Now where did I leave my time machine?
To develop a deeper understanding of
Technology, we have to go backward before
we can forward.
And Then There Was Light…….
What Does This Quote Mean?
“We shape our tools and then
our tools shape us.”
Marshall McLuhan.
How would you define
‘technology’?
You may refer to any resource for an answer.
What is Technology?
Definition from textbook (p. 105):
Technology is the creation of tools or objects
that both extend our natural abilities and alter
our social environment
•Examples:
•A pacemaker
•An airplane
Technology Brings Change
•Technology is an instrument of change – for
example the printing press.
•It took the process of reading to the masses.
•It brought change and opportunity.
Decisions, Decisions....
So does change begin with
the Individual or with the
Technology?
Traditional Theory
Societal change is brought about by an
individual person who shares an idea with the
community
Example: the telephone (Bell or Meucci)
Technological Determinism
 According to Thornstein
Veblen, Technological
Determinism: is when social
change is initiated by
technology. i.e. the
invention of a particular tool
takes on a life force of its
own after it has been
introduced. Society simply
reacts to it.
 Technology forms the
material base of society and
then determines the status of
that society in comparison
to other societies
Now for some group work…
In your Reading Circle groups, use large chart
paper to brainstorm what you think are the
most significant technological innovations of
the last 50 years. (cans, zipper, paperclip,
ballpoint pen)
And the Winner is…..
Of your extensive list, each group
must select and rank their top five
and provide a justification for
each.
1? 2? 3? 4? 5?
Top Technological Inventions of
the Last 50 Years…
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/news/207846
7
Surprises?
50 Great Inventions Canada
Gave to the World
http://www.mediatrainingtoronto.com/blog/20
12/6/30/50-great-inventions-canada-gave-tothe-world.html
Surprises?
Now look at your choices and ask
yourselves the following question…
Do we control technological
change in our society, or does
the development of technology
change our society beyond our
control?
We control tech. change
Tech. changes society
beyond our control
Weapons used for defense
Weapons used for offense
Security alarms invented for Security alarms give a false
protection
sense of security and may
create paranoia
Printing press makes
Propaganda, hate
information more accessible messages
Internet helps social
connection
Surveillance/privacy
infringement
Medicine heals people,
extends lifespan
Addiction, overdose
Telephone helps
communication/connecting
Distractions
Camera Phone captures
memories/important
moments
Invasion of privacy
Now It’s Your Turn Again…
1) While still in your groups…down the middle of your
paper, write a list of 5 technologies that have had a
significant impact on you personally.
2) For each item on the list, draw a line to the left and a
line to the right.
3) At the end of the line to the left, write one way in
which this technology makes your life easier.
4) At the end of the line to the right, write one way it
makes your life more difficult or something that frustrates
you about the technology.
Technology And Me…
Example:
able to quickly cook so
you can get to part-time
job after school
microwave
oven
people able to eat on the
run more often, family
doesn’t sit down to dinner
together
Talk Time…..
Now share your findings
with the other students in
your group.
Similarities? (Reasons for this?)
Differences? (Reasons for this?)
Time to READ!!!!!!!
Write a summary of the key points.
Additionally address whether or not the article shows
positive or negative consequences of technological
change.
Furthermore answer whether the technological change is
related to a traditional school (technology accompanies
social change) or the determinist school (technology
causes social change) and explain how.
Level of Understanding?