#ci4311W

[zhaochen9925]

Evolution of Computer-Based Technologies and Morden Ethical Principles

In primitive societies, man began to use knotted ropes, stones, branches or inscriptions as tools to assist in calculation and counting. As mankind has always sought to improve the speed and accuracy of calculations: In 1620, European scholars invented the logarithmic calculating scale; in 1642, Blaise Pascal invented the mechanical computer; in 1854, George Boole, an English mathematician, introduced the idea of symbolic logic. I reckon early computer technology is not to be confused with digital technology, because the digital information processing capability of early computer technology is too weak, although it has the same essence as digital information but the capability is too far from it. In the 17th century, the German mathematician Leibniz invented binary, which created the conditions for the representation of data inside the computer. in the early 20th century, electronics technology developed rapidly, and in 1904, the British electrical engineer Fleming developed the vacuum diode. in 1906, the American scientist Forrester invented the vacuum triode In 1906, the American scientist Forrest invented the vacuum triode, which laid the foundation for the birth of computers. During World War II, in order to develop new artillery and other weapons, the U.S. Army Ordnance Department set up a ballistic research laboratory in Maryland. In order to solve the large number of ballistic calculation problems faced every day, the world's first computer, the ENIAC, was developed at the University of Pennsylvania in February 1946.The first generation of computers, which could only support some computing work, had no concept of operating system and supported only machine language, and required highly educated professional understanding to maintain and use. At that time, computers were manufactured using electronic tubes, which were very costly and very large in size. Subsequently, its development moved in the direction of small machines, developing operating systems, supporting assembly language, and the size kept getting smaller and the cost kept decreasing due to the development of hardware technology. Later on, high-level languages emerged, i.e., humans could develop computer functions through natural languages. And it was only after the advent of the fourth generation of computers — large-scale integrated circuit computers (after 1971) - that mankind truly entered the digital age. People‘s learn, live and work a lot with the Internet, home appliances will be organized into home networks managed by computers, and people can get the information they need at any place and any time with any device.

In the documentary of Ada Lovelace, I believe she is one of the most important person in computer development history and her discovery is the foundation of modern computer logic. Ada is regarded as the first computer programmer. She is the first person that realizing the machine had more abilities beyond pure calculation. After I read the reading material —“Black inventors and pioneers who have influenced the way we use the internet and technology today”, I have to say that the Dr Philip Emeagwali is also an important person in computer development history. He’s design in Connection Machine system is significant. Emeagwali built computer systems that could work and communicate internally like a honeycomb, and this innovation in computer systems guided the development of the Internet in a new direction. Almost all computer systems with search engines today have evolved from programs designed by Emeagwali. One of the influencing founding for me is that after I read so many material I found the female has rarely please in the history of computing or computer-based technologies. Form the reading material “Women in Computer Science: Getting Involved in STEM”, the report show only 18% of the of computer science bachelor’s degrees earned by females in the United States, however the Statistics from the National Girls Collaborative Project shows that female has half of the total U.S. college-educated workforce, but only 28% of the science and engineering workforce.

One of the key point made in readings material “Overview of Ethics in Tech Practice” which is interesting and also surprise me is the part of the concerns in Technology Ethics. In this part, the authors points is really the factors which often happen inner world. For example, the Rising Opacity, Algorithmic Bias and concentration of the wealth and power. This made me think about our society, I have to say the Morden Digital Age is new-born form, it involve a lot of changes in both wealth and power, so we need to cogitate the good and bad. One question I have is about the reading “A Framework for Ethical Decision Making”, after I read the part “Why Identifying Ethical Standards is Hard” I connecting with the today’s digital life, I found it is harder to identifying ethical standards in internet society. So could we use the existing social moral to identifying the digital ethical standards?

[zhaochen9925]

Technological Literacy

After I study this week’s lesson, I have a better understanding in the technology literacy, it is a big words which means it involve a lot of meanings. From the start of this class, I reckon in this world and this age, the most important ability that we need to learn is the digital literacy, which is the ability to fairly use the digital technology. However, the term technology literacy is more developed. In the report “Defining Technology Literacy” post by Gamire, E. & Pearson, G point out that technology literacy is similar to the concepts of scientific literacy, mathematical literacy and historical literacy, but I reckon the technology literacy is more inclusive with the literacy that prior context mentioned. In the report, they defining the technology literacy basically as the ability of understanding in technology with knowledge, critical thinking and decision making. In my words, technological literacy refers to the basic knowledge and abilities necessary to evaluate science and technology and make appropriate decisions. In the report, the author divided our life into three parts, nature, social and designed, the designed world is what human making and developing. In this world, the technology plays an important role in both constructing and advancing. Also I believe the technology is the link in connecting the three world, for example, the author mentions the Hurricane Katrina which is not only the kind of dependence between human and technology,  but also shows the role that technology plays between the three worlds. So, the technology literacy is important.

After this course end, I will doing more critical thinking like the report say: weighs relevant technologies in a systematic way when I face new problems, informations and technologies. Before I study this class, my understanding of technology literacy is facial, I reckon the technology literacy and digital technology and so on is like a role in moral to limit you action in digital world, however, after I study this class, I know it is more than moral, like design thinking, I will consider a question with more perspectives in order to design a fair, healthy app or products. The most impressive aspects in this class for me is the new understanding of the digital technology. When I first came into the course, I reckon this class is talking about moral things, however, after this class, digital technology and technology literacy is deep down into my heart. It is nor only about moral, it is about literacy, education, critical thinking, design and understanding. So it is far way with my imagination. The thing I learn will certainly influence what I do in the future, because after this course, the design thinking lesson and technology literacy lesson has change my logic frame. A lot of time, when I using technology I was enjoying the benefit of the convenience, however I will chronically decrease a lot of thing time of the technology. But after I learn this class I will pay more attention in think wether the technology bring me more benefit or more lose, it is the component of technology literacy.

[zhaochen9925]

Modern Technology & Education

After studying this week's course, I believe that the main ethical issue in integrating modern technology into education and learning or professional training is whether modern technology can replace realistic education. I think this is important, as the article "Student Perceptions Using Augmented Reality and 3D Visualization Technologies in Chemistry Education" points out I think it is important, as the article "Student Perceptions Using Augmented Reality and 3D Visualization Technologies in Chemistry Education" points out, that students are not sure if the use of modern technology can improve their performance. In the article, most of the results of the use of modern technology in education were obtained from student feedback, and these virtual experiences do not provide a true picture of how the use of modern technology can significantly improve students' understanding of the curriculum or knowledge. Secondly, there is a big question as to whether the integration of modern technology into education and learning or professional training will change the level of equity in it. Traditional education has been practiced for centuries and has a relatively mature and complete system, but will the integration of modern technology change the equity and inclusiveness of it? This will also be a difficult issue for the development of the education industry.

During the pandemic, I was forced to attend online courses in my dormitory and was unable to participate in classroom interactions. And because of the virtual nature of the internet, my motivation to learn was waning and I was often absent from class. I think that distance learning methods, such as ZOOM, have solved the problem of not being able to attend classes to a certain extent, and the video function of ZOOM is quite interactive and alternative, so you can participate and experience the classroom interaction to a certain extent. I think it would be better if ZOOM could be improved with more traditional classroom features, for example, in the question and answer session, although students have a "Hand" button, but when students press the button the teacher does not receive any significant alert, such as sound or screen jumping alert, which makes the class less inclusive.

I reckon modern technology has had a speeding up effect on our learning and society, and modern technology such as e-learning or telecommuting was an under-appreciated and under-appreciated situation before the big push. But after the pandemic, people started to focus on developing and integrating modern technology into all walks of life. For example, ZOOM or the app called "DingDing" in China, although these ways of learning or working existed before, they were rarely used. But after the pandemic, these ways of working and learning became popular and improved rapidly.

[zhaochen9925]

How Digital Technology & the Internet shaped The Modern Activism

As the ideological confrontation between countries intensifies, the Internet is undoubtedly of great political value as the most important forum for public opinion. The Modern Activism, a new movement that has emerged through the Internet, is an organized, large-scale protest and challenge to the authoritarian government through social media platforms and digital technology. From the perspective of national security, it is of considerable significance to make accurate judgments and predictions about the ideological changes in Internet public opinion. Although many people overemphasize the official role in online ideological changes, in reality, as with all major civil ideological changes in history, apart from effective state guidance, it is the changes in the general environment and generational cognitive changes that really play a major role in social opinion, as is the case with modern online ideological changes. The Internet not only reflects the mentality of the new generation of young people in the 20th century, but also predicts the problems that need to be faced in the future.

In the era of traditional media, the culture that society identifies with is often the culture disseminated by the mass media. These cultures were created by a few individuals or institutions, and they relied on the authoritative power of the mass media to become the dominant culture of society and to act profoundly on individuals. The use of the Internet, however, as a low-threshold technology, digital technology makes it possible for all those who have the relevant conditions to participate in online communication and the various activities in the network, and online culture shows an unprecedented openness. Individuals can not only participate in a wide range of ways of cultural production, but their ability to engage in dialogue with mainstream culture has been greatly enhanced. As we read in class in the article "Why Digital Feminist Activism Is Real And Valid," events that were once personal suddenly became cultural events. Indian women social media users amplify the impact of their individual behavior through interaction, which greatly enhances their ability to speak to the dominant culture. And this Inclusion feature of digital technology, or the Internet, has shaped Modern Activism.

The "echo wall" effect of the Internet allows people to hear only those voices similar to their own. On social media, the voices in the middle become increasingly irrelevant, while the extreme voices are increasingly easy to hear. Those who are aggressive or respond with anger get more likes and shares. This gives them more influence and gives others an example to follow. In the article "How The Digital World Disparages Feminism Through Manufactured Outrage," it is noted that people find it easier to hurt others digitally than in person, which This undoubtedly gives the Modern Activism a new label. The modern activism is often accompanied by bullying or extremism. For example, at the BlackLivesMatter activity, there were occasional incidents of looting.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

Reference

Why Digital Feminist Activism Is Real And Valid

https://feminisminindia.com/2019/08/26/digital-feminist-activism-real-and-valid/

How The Digital World Disparages Feminism Through Manufactured Outrange

https://feminisminindia.com/2019/02/07/digital-world-feminism-manufactured-outrage/