Current Affairs Assignment for IST 110 (Sections 1 & 2)
Frank E. Ritter, based on Sawyer's draft.
23Jan00
Twice during the semester you will be asked to find an article or
resource from a current magazine, newspaper, periodical or other
media that addresses issues of information and information
technology. The first several weeks will be done by volunteers. The
remainder will be by random assignment.
In one page or less, you will comment on how that resource relates
to the current class discussion or topic. You will share both the
resource and your comments with the class. The purposes of this
assignment are:
- To help you develop a sense of the current affairs regarding
the developments in information and communication technologies and
their roles in our society, and the way society and these new
developments interact.
- To respond to current affairs issues, their implications, or
both
- To find new technologies and explain why they are worth noting
- To relate readings on development and management of
information science to what they will do
- To coment on class material/sites, to find other relevant
material, or both
- To find (perhaps from the web) material that provides insight
or alternatives to issues that are brought forward in class.
- To provide a means for you to practice critical reading,
analysis, and summary.
- To practice speaking in public.
The article must:
- be long enough that the author(s) can fully develop their
ideas or argument.
- come from a reputable source. It may be timely or it may be
fundamental.
- be publicly accessible and the full citation must be included
in the write-up.
- One of the assignments must come from a traditional print
medium and one of your assignments from online sources.
The writeup
* one standard page (with standard fonts and margins). Please
bring two copies of the writeup and the article (stapled together) to
class on the days when you are to speak. Keep one for yourself, the
other is for me.
* with your name, email, date, and indicate whether this is your
first or second review.
* include the following sections:
- Points to make in class (up to 4 sentences)
- Summary of article (one paragraph)
- Relationship between article and class topic (one paragraph)
- Your comments/insights/observation (one paragraph)
* You will be asked to present the article to your peers near the
start of class. You will have two minutes.
See these examples for
guidance.
Grading
Grading will be based on:
Clarity of presentation
Quality of summary
Link between article and class topic
Insights and observation
(For a total of 5 points/review)