Digital Media & Society

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CMST 301 Digital Media & Society

WEEK 5 DISCUSSION

WELCOME to the discussion for WEEK 5. Please respond in complete sentences for each question, unless directed to do otherwise, demonstrating in your reply that you have read the material in order to receive full credit. 

 Topic 1: Data Visualization
This week you watched  

Big Data Visualization

 (YouTube Video) and  

Information is Beautifu
l

 where you learned about how good designs are the best way to navigate information overabundance.

Discussion:
David McCandless turns complex data sets (like worldwide military spending, media buzz, Facebook status updates) into beautiful, simple diagrams that tease out unseen patterns and connections. Choose ONE of the graphics to discuss from 
Information is Beautifu
l
.and then answer the questions below. Be sure to indicate in your response, which of the graphics you have chosen to analyze.
Questions: 

1. Which of the graphics did you choose?

2. What ideas or pieces of information does the author present? List as many as you can.

3. Identify the main conclusion told in the graphic. This should not just be the title, but what conclusion you can make from the information provided.

4. Describe how the author represents data in the graphic. Example, using color to represent two things.

5. What other ways does the author tell the audience about the key message(s)?

6. What do you like/dislike about the graphic?

 Topic 2: Infographics
Discussion:
An infographic is a visual representation of information, data, or knowledge meant to present complex information quickly and clearly. Infographics exist on nearly any topic you can imagine, proliferating in the digital age with social media.
Response #1: 
Locate an infographic which relates to ONE of the topics covered within this course: (no more than two postings related to the same topic will be permitted). Examples of topics covered in this class are: Fake News, Privacy & Security, Digital Divide, etc.

Responses will need to include, but are not limited to:

· Title of Infographic (if not available then subject it relates to)

· URL

· Topic covered in class that the infographic relates to

· Detail how the Infographic relates to the topic 

· Analysis and recommendations for adjustment

Minimum Topic Response: PLEASE RESPOND IN THREE OR MORE SENTENCES PER TOPIC.

NOTE 1: Please make sure you answer EACH item and LABEL each item (#1, #2, #3, etc) so that I can easily check that each item has been answered.

WEEK 6 DISCUSSION

WELCOME to the discussion for WEEK 6. Please respond in complete sentences for each question, unless directed to do otherwise, demonstrating in your reply that you have read the material in order to receive full credit. 

 Topic 1: The Digital Divide
This week you read 

Digital Divide in a Global Economy

 

Discussion:
More than just a tool for information transfer, the Internet has become a conduit for a globalized workforce.  However, as the Internet has become integrated into daily business life, a digital divide has emerged. Some derive the benefits of Internet access, but many others do not.
Questions: 

1. Could the digital divide change the way people think about themselves in relation to the rest of the world? Provide experiences, observations, or references to Week 6’s readings that helped shaped your opinion.

2. What barriers exist that make it difficult to close the digital divide in economies like India and China? What barriers exist in a developed country such as America?

 Topic 2: Digital Natives Digital Immigrants

This week you read 

Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants

 by Mark Prensky.

Discussion:
According to Prensky, today’s students are no longer the people our educational system was designed to teach.  Prensky also pointed out that there needs to be a switch in the way in which educators teach because students are losing out due to the “old fashioned” methods of teaching which are still being used today.
Question #1: 
Do you agree that educators have to keep abreast of the technological changes and adjust the curriculum accordingly?  (justify and support your answer).

Minimum Topic Response: PLEASE RESPOND IN THREE OR MORE SENTENCES PER TOPIC.
NOTE 1: Please make sure you answer EACH item and LABEL each item (#1, #2, #3, etc) so that I can easily check that each item has been answered.