Impact of Technology Learning Goal Definition The definition for the term technology differs depending on what academic discipline one is studying. In some disciplines, technology refers to tools and machines whereas in others it means the application of human knowledge or human activities that shape our world. For this reason, the performance criteria for this learning goal are broad enough in scope that they can be used in a variety of disciplines, regardless of how technology is defined in each. Framing Language To understand this learning goal, one must first recognize how the impact of technology is different than technical literacy. According to QCC s General Education Learning Goals verbiage, a student who is technically literate will be able to utilize computer and emerging technologies effectively. The technical literacy learning goal is therefore about being able to do something. On the other hand, a student who has mastered the impact of technology learning goal will be able to reflect on the impact of technological changes on the individual, society and the environment. This learning goal is therefore about being able to think about technology. Therefore, the key difference between these two learning goals is that technical literacy is about action whereas the impact of technology is about reflection.
IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY Learning Goal: Students will reflect on the impact of technological changes on the individual, society and the environment. Performance Criterion 1: Definition of Technology Student accurately explains and provides insight into what technology means in a specific academic discipline. Student explains and provides insight into what technology means in a specific academic discipline. Student attempts to explain what technology means in a specific academic discipline. This attempt does not provide insight into what technology means in a specific academic discipline.
Performance Criterion 2: Explanation of Issues Student provides an accurate and insightful explanation of the legal, ethical, social, and/or environmental issues in the use and misuse of technology. Student provides an insightful explanation of the legal, ethical, social, and/or environmental issues in the use and misuse of technology. Student attempts to provide an explanation of the legal, ethical, social, and/or environmental issues in the use and misuse of technology. This attempt does not provide insight into the legal, ethical, social, and/or environmental issues in the use and misuse of technology. This explanation may include factual errors or a misunderstanding of This attempt includes factual errors and a misunderstanding of
Performance Criterion 3: Awareness of Consequences Student explains and interprets the consequences, both intended and unintended, of a given technology for individuals, nations, societies and/or the environment. The student provides in-depth insight into these consequences. Student explains and interprets the consequences of a given technology for individuals, nations, societies and/or the environment. Student identifies consequences of a given technology for individuals, nations, societies and/or the environment. This attempt does not provide explanation of or insight into these consequences. This explanation may fail to realize some consequences, especially unintended ones, of a given technology. This explanation may include factual errors or a misunderstanding of This explanation fails to realize many consequences, especially unintended ones, of a given technology. This attempt includes factual errors and a misunderstanding of
Performance Criterion 4: Analysis of Consequences Student analyzes and provides insight into the impact that a given technology may have on its users, how it may change users' conception of reality, what users' perceptions and biases are toward it, who is disadvantaged by it or what inequalities are embedded in it, and/or how it impacts quality of life. Student analyzes the impact that a given technology may have on its users, how it may change users' conception of reality, what users' perceptions and biases are toward it, who is disadvantaged by it or what inequalities are embedded in it, and/or how it impacts quality of life. Student identifies the impact that a given technology may have on its users, how it may change users' conception of reality, and/or how it impacts quality of life. The student provides in-depth insight into these effects. This explanation may fail to realize some effects of a given technology. This explanation may include factual This attempt does not provide insight into these effects. This explanation fails to realize some effects (especially subtle ones) of a given technology. This attempt includes factual errors
errors or a misunderstanding of and a misunderstanding of
Performance Criterion 5: Connections to Individual Experience Student articulates an understanding of and insight into the impact of technology in one s personal and/or professional life. This explanation includes an accurate understanding of disciplinary conventions and professional roles. Student articulates an understanding of the impact of technology in one s personal and/or professional life. This explanation includes an understanding of disciplinary conventions and professional roles. Student describes the role of technology in one s personal and/or professional life. This attempt does not provide insight into the relationship between technology and one s personal and/or professional life nor does it exhibit an understanding of disciplinary conventions and professional roles. This explanation may not include adequate information showing the cause/effect relationship between This attempt does not include adequate information showing the cause/effect relationship between technology and one s personal and/or professional life.
technology and one s personal and/or professional life.
Performance Criterion 6: Recognition of Technological Change Student describes and insightfully explains the ways technologies have changed, the role technology has played in defining ideas of progress and modernism, and/or how technological developments have enabled the pace of change and interdependency that have accelerated globalization. Student recognizes and provides insight into emerging technological trends and their possible impact on the future. Student recognizes and provides insight into how the application of different technologies to the same problem can impact the end result. Student describes and insightfully explains the ways technologies have changed, the role technology has played in defining ideas of progress and modernism, and/or how technological developments have enabled the pace of change and interdependency that have accelerated globalization. Student recognizes emerging technological trends and their possible impact on the future. Student recognizes how the application of different technologies to the same problem can impact the end result. Student describes the ways technologies have changed and the role technology has played in defining ideas of progress and modernism. Student attempts to recognize emerging technological trends and their possible impact on the future. Student identifies different technologies that can be used to address the same problem.
This explanation may not include adequate information showing the cause/effect relationship between technology and progress or technology and globalization. This attempt may include factual errors or a misunderstanding of This attempt does not provide insight into this topic. This attempt does not include adequate information showing the cause/effect relationship between technology and progress. This attempt includes factual errors and a misunderstanding of