Reference no: EM132586233
COM623 21st Century Computing Assignment - Wrexham Glyndwr University, UK
Learning Outcomes - At the end of this module, students will be able to:
Knowledge and Understanding:
Identify, critically analyse, and debate current and future issues in computing from both a technical and social perspective.
Assess emergent technologies at various stages of development.
Synthesise conflicting opinions on emergent and future technologies.
Debate and make informed predictions regarding the directions taken by various aspects of computer technologies and their application and impact in the short, medium and long-term future.
Key skills for employability:
1. Written, oral and media communication skills.
2. Leadership, team working and networking skills.
3. Opportunity, creativity and problem solving skills.
4. Information technology skills and digital literacy.
5. Information management skills.
6. Research skills.
7. Intercultural and sustainability skills.
8. Career management skills.
9. Learning to learn (managing personal and professional development, self-management).
10. Numeracy.
Presentation and Paper Assignment -
This assignment asks you to conduct an in-depth investigation into a topic within the broad scope of Emerging and Future Computing Technology, and prepare a group presentation and individual report.
Task - You will, in groups of between three and five, be allocated a topic within the broad scope of Emerging and Future Computing Technology. You will prepare and deliver a 25-35 minute group presentation to the rest of the class on this topic then, individually, submit a 3,000-3,500 word paper on the topic, or possibly on a particular subject/field within it, if you wish. There will be a dual emphasis throughout: the future development of the technology and the wider social impact of the technology.
Guidance - The choice of topic should broadly reflect your named degree programme and will, so far as possible, be chosen by you. However, in practice, to avoid unnecessary duplication of presentations and to ensure appropriate content, students will identify a number of suitable topics and the final allocation of subjects to groups will be a decision involving the module tutor.
There is a clear demarcation between the (group) presentation and the (individual) written report. The group presentation should be approximately 30 minutes long and should provide an interesting, entertaining but informative overview of the subject. (You will be penalised for not being in the range 25-35 minutes.) The individual written paper (approximately 3,000-3,500 words) should deal with the topic in considerably more detail and may possibly focus on a particular area within the overall field. The written report should be solely your work and should not share material with other members of your group.
A very brief overview of the history and current state-of-the-art of your topic is appropriate in both the group presentation and individual report. However, the emphasis in both should be on the future - and how existing concepts will develop - and the wider implications. This will involve the synthesis of various sources and opinions and may reasonably include appropriate speculation - hopefully justified but probably unproven. Most of the grading for this assessment will be based on the futurology aspect of your work.
You will need to produce a rounded discussion of all aspects of your subject in your presentation and report. This should extend beyond the obvious advantages of the new technology to include the potential disadvantages and dangers as well. Try to consider all the technology's potential but think about all the drawbacks too. These might be not be just technical in nature but social, environmental, ethical, legal, etc. and possibly a lot more besides!