Social Aspects Assignment (10 points)

Frank E. Ritter based on prose by Sawyer

24feb00

For this assignment, you are to develop a socio-technical analysis of a contemporary computing environment with which you are familiar (such as a cluster, your own use, of a computer, using computers in the library, use of ICTs in any number of settings, etc).  This socio-technical analysis should build on the five component model (technical, system, psychological, social, and purpose) and the approach we will have talked about in class.

The purposes of this assignment are:

1. To expose you to socio-technical analysis and a deeper appreciation for how computing is embedded in a social setting.

2. To provide a means for you to practice socio-technical analysis.

Your socio-technical analysis must:  

• explain how you gathered your facts and made your observations
• provide details of the situation relative to each of the five categories
• explain how the various categories are related, both
  •   where they reinforce and
  •   where they contradict each other
• provide a short summary with suggestions.

The assignment can be up to three pages long (exclusive of cover sheet and any picture or diagram)

Please make two copies of the assignment and bring them both to class on April 13, 2000. It is due at the start of class.  You will keep one for yourself, the other is for me.  

Grading Points

Clarity and quality of writing       1.5

Explanation of data collection/observation     1.5

Decomposition and details of situation relative to the five categories  2.5

Analysis of how categories are related      2.5

Summary and Suggestions       2