Fall 2009
Weeks Eight-Nine

  

Honors 1520

Revolution 4: Information
 
 
Our world is defined more than ever before by its information economy. Communication technologies are fueling this evolution by spreading new ideas and innovations to even greater numbers of people each day. The best students and entrepreneurs in the world are no longer limited by geography and their counties' stage of economic development. As information technology continues to reach these individuals, they will be able to compete more directly with those in the developed world. in a highly dynamic, knowledge-based global economy, constant learning and retraining are not simply desirable--they are essential. (Teaching 7 Revolutions, Falk and Moss, Eds.)

October 12

Army IQ tests

 

 

October 14

Discussion of GSI materials (including Peterson video)

Discussion of: Information Flows: Tom Adams on Wise Words for College Students

Informal oral reports on one of the following:

October 16
No class (Fall Break)

October 19

Pew Research Center for the People and the Press. “Where Americans Go for News.” Pew Research Center. June 8, 2004. http://people-press.org/report/?pageid=834. 

Discussion of

 

October 21
Times and Issues Forum

October 23


Response Paper #3: Write in response to one of the following from GSI:

peer review: October 23, final due: October 26

1) Why are work and learning becoming “the same thing”? How can basic education prepare workers for continuing education? What role will the online world play in this process? How might online education level the playing field between developed and developing countries?

2) How has the media’s objectivity been affected by the explosion of information sources? Will individuals increasingly live in worlds of their own ideological and moral construction as they isolate themselves from competing ideas? Are we entering an era of “choose your truth”?

3) Information technology has changed the context in which governments must operate. Individual citizens and groups now have the ability to quickly organize and mobilize to influence the direction of their governments. From 24/7 news to flash mobs to blogs to political tell-alls, the rapid flow of information demands quick responses from systems of governance. How has information technology affected the ability of governments and organizations across the board to implement long-term strategic planning?